Richard Roberts, a commercial vehicle inspector from the Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada, took top honors at the North American Inspectors Championship (NAIC) held in New Orleans Aug. 14-20.

Roberts won the Grand Champion Award for his combined performances in six competition elements across North American Standard Level I Inspection and North American Standard HAZMAT/Transportation of Dangerous Goods Inspection.
Fifty-three CVSA-certified North American Standard Level I roadside inspectors competed in the 14th annual championship.
North American Standard Level I Inspection winners include: Todd Curtis (Utah), Richard Roberts (British Columbia) and Lee Bretney (California). North American Standard Level V Passenger Vehicle Inspection winners include: Richard Roberts (British Columbia), Lorie Floyd (Wisconsin) and Mark Hall (Alabama).
North American Standard Hazardous Materials/Transportation of Dangerous Goods and Cargo Tank/Bulk Packagings Inspection winners include: Richard Roberts (British Columbia), John Toto (Massachusetts) and Kevin Adkins (Montana).
For the second consecutive year, there was a tie for the John Youngblood Award. Youngblood, a staff member for the first two championships, was killed in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombings. Alain Riendeau (Quebec) and Lorie Floyd (Wisconsin) received this prestigious award. The award is presented each year to the inspector who best demonstrates the qualities of congeniality, leadership, integrity, professionalism and commitment.
A new Team Award, which recognizes the team that best demonstrates camaraderie and accumulates the highest point average, was presented to: Lee Bretney (California), Michael Rader (Iowa), Kevin Adkins (Montana), Dale Steger (New York), Charles Bowser (Pennsylvania), Alain Riendeau (Quebec), Robert Hadden (Tennessee), T.J. McQuagge (Texas).
The high points winners: Richard Roberts (British Columbia, Canada); Kevin Adkins (Montana, United States); and Armando Garcia (Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT), Mexico).