The nation's top van operators and the safest company fleets in the U.S. moving industry during 2008 have been selected for annual honors by the American Moving & Storage Association.


The 2008 Super Van Operator Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Wallace L. Sparks of Henderson, Texas, who drives for Bekins Van Lines of Hillside, Ill. Ronald E. Rossi of Worchester, Mass., who drives for VIP Transport of Corona, Calif. (a Mayflower Transit agent), is Super Van Operator for Special Commodities; while Thomas G. Olson of Kissimmee, Fla., a driver for All American Moving Group of Memphis, Tenn. (a Mayflower Transit agent) picks up Super Van Operator in the Household Goods category. Rookie Super Van Operator for 2008 is Daniel L. O'Leary, who drives for Graebel St. Louis Movers of Earth City, Mo.

AMSA's Super Van awards recognize drivers who provide safe, reliable, and customer-oriented household goods truck transportation. Judging criteria include miles driven, accidents (preventable or non-preventable), lifetime driving record, time out of service for any hours-of-service or equipment violations, financial responsibility, community involvement, customer service, driving awards and outside interests and activities.

AMSA also bestows seven annual fleet safety awards. Lindsey Transfer and Storage of Bogart, Ga., wins the 2008 Safety Improvement Award, given to the carrier demonstrating the best three-year improvement in its accident rate. Interstate Van Lines of Springfield, Va., wins the Safety Initiative Award, which recognizes a carrier's leadership and creativity in one component of its safety program.

The 2008 Fleet Safety Award winner in the over 60 million miles category is Mayflower Transit of Fenton, Mo. Wheaton Van Lines of Indianapolis receives the award in the 15 million to 60 million miles category. The 5 million to 15 million miles award goes to Chicago's New World Van Lines, and the 1 million to 5 million miles winner is McCollister's Transportation Systems of Burlington, N.J. ABC/Fry Wagner of Lenexa, Kan., receives the award in the under 1 million miles category.

Fleet awards are given to carriers demonstrating the best combination of the lowest accident rate per million miles of vehicle operation and lowest vehicle and driver out-of-service rate during the year.

All awards will be presented during AMSA's 2009 Education Conference & Expo in Dallas.