Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/147778
|Feature | By Brad Bentley 46 Compete for Title of 2013 Trucking's Top Rookie R andall-Reilly has announced that 46 nominations were received from this year's Trucking's Top Rookie program, which is designed to increase pride and professionalism among new drivers, and to promote truck driving as a career choice during a severe driver shortage. Any CDL holder who has graduated from a PTDI-certified, or NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school and has been employed by a trucking company for less than one year was eligible to be nominated for the Trucking's Top Rookie award. Nominations could be made by motor carrier employers, training organizations, or the general public. Scott Miller, Senior Vice President, Sales for Randall-Reilly, said he was pleased with the direction of the Trucking's Top Rookie program. "More fleets and driver training schools participated this year, and it resulted in a 37% increase in nominations. With additional trucking companies beginning to hire entry-level drivers, we feel the program will continue to grow," Miller said. Trucking's Top Rookie is a partnership between Randall-Reilly, Truckload Carriers Association, Shell ROTELLA, Commercial Vehicle Training Association, Pilot Flying J, American Trucking Associations, 5-Hour Energy, COBRA Electronics, Red Eye Radio Network, Rand McNally and the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools. 18 feature rookie 0813.indd 1 An expert panel of judges, which includes representatives from motor carriers, training schools (both public and private), suppliers and trade associations, are reviewing the nominations. Ten finalists will be chosen, and those deserving drivers will be recognized at a ceremony on Friday, August 23 during the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. More than $25,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded, and Eric Harley of the Red Eye Radio Network will interview the winner immediately following the ceremony. The 2013 Trucking's Top Rookie will receive: • $10,000 cash • A custom plaque from Award Company of America, a division of Randall-Reilly • RoadPro Getting Started Living On-TheGo Package • A COBRA Electronics Navigation System • One-year supply of 5-Hour Energy drinks • $1,000 cash and 100,000 MyRewards points from Pilot Flying J • American Trucking Associations "Good Stuff, Trucks Bring It" package • Rand McNally Motor Carrier Road Atlas The other nine finalists will each receive $1,000 in cash and a similar prize package. ◆ www.studentdriverplacement.com August '13 7/19/13 10:02 AM