American Trucking Associations has named 33 professional truck drivers as finalists to become captains on the 2017-2018 America’s Road Team.

The America’s Road Team is a group of professional truck drivers that have superior safety records. The group was created in 1986 to represent the trucking industry and is sponsored by Volvo Trucks.

“These professional drivers were chosen as finalists for America’s Road Team because they are proven industry ambassadors with long safety records and professionalism that projects a positive image of our industry’s 3.5 million truck drivers,” said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. “America’s Road Team will continue to serve as a voice for the trucking industry and build on its 30-year legacy of educating the public on highway safety and the trucking industry’s important role in our economy.”

The 33 chosen drivers will move on to the final selection process, being held Jan. 8-12 in Arlington, Va. A panel of industry officials and trucking news media will judge the contestants on their knowledge of the trucking industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate the industry’s messages and overall safe driving record.

The newly chosen 2017-2018 America’s Road Team will be announced on January 12.  New Captains, after receiving a navy blue America’s Road Team blazer, will begin sharing the industry’s message of safety, essentiality and sustainability with the motoring public, media, business groups, public officials and their fellow truck drivers around the country.

“Being named a finalist for America’s Road Team is a major achievement for professional truck drivers and ATA congratulates each of them for this accomplishment,” said Elisabeth Barna, ATA COO and executive vice president of industry affairs. “On this list you’ll find drivers with millions of safe-driving miles, state truck driving championship winners, community leaders and role models in their companies.”

To be nominated as an America’s Road Team captain, drivers must be employed or leased to an ATA member company. Each nominee should have an excellent safety record and should be able to demonstrate an ability to communicate his or her commitment to safety and passion for the industry.

The finalists include:

Steve Brand, FedEx Freight, Union, Ohio

Jon Brockway, Walmart Transportation, Westbrook, Maine

Brad Coffey, TCW, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Bobby Covert, UPS Freight, Lexington, Ky.

Scott Davis, ABF Freight, Kearney, Mo.

Duane Donner, Walmart Transportation, Litchfield Park, Ariz.

Donald Forrest, FedEx Freight, Winter Haven, Fla.

John Gaddy, Carbon Express, Asbury, N.J.

W. Scott Harrison, K-Limited Carriers, Cincinnati, Ohio

Rhonda Hartman, Old Dominion Freight Line, Des Moines, Iowa

Gary Helms, Covenant Transport, Cleveland, Tenn.

Duane “Rusty” Holmes, UPS Freight, Odenville, Ala.

Bill Krouse, YRC Freight, Shakopee, Minn.

David Livingston, TCW, Springfield, Ga.

Charles Lobsiger, Walmart Transportation, Alachua, Fla.

Ronnie Luckadoo, UPS Freight, Forest City, N.C.

Thomas McIntosh, YRC Freight, Aurora, Colo.

Tim Melody, ABF Freight, Payette, Idaho

James Moore, Saia LTL Freight, Magnolia, Texas

Chris Outen, FedEx Freight, Vancouver, Wash.

Charlton Paul Jr., UPS Freight, Chester, N.Y.

Jeff Payne, Reddaway, Cedar City, Utah

James Quarles, Walmart Transportation, Laurens, S.C.

Larry Rhein, FedEx Freight, Harrison, Ark.

Stephen Richardson, Big G Express, Decatur, Ala.

Michael Sheeds, Werner Enterprises, Bandera, Texas

Steven Smalley, ABF Freight, Mesa, Ariz.

Gary Smith, Garner Trucking, Gomer, Ohio

James Starr, Groendyke Transport, Wichita, Kan.

Chris Sutton, UPS Freight, Erie, Penn.

Barney “Earl” Taylor, Penske Logistics, Orlando, Fla.

Tim Taylor, FedEx Freight, Valdosta, Ga.

Jimmie Wisley, YRC Freight, Wichita, Kan.