Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/306069
mate PTDI supporter. His commitment to the cause should be deemed nothing short of outstanding." Burnett grew up around the family trucking business. With his father (an owner operator for more than 50 years) as a role model, Burnett himself became an owner operator before founding Bur- nett Insurance more than 33 years ago. Since then, two brothers and a daugh- ter have joined the family-owned and operated company, which has grown to serve more than 400 clients across the United States. Burnett is active in the Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee trucking associations and serves on the Executive Committee of the Truckload Carriers Association. Burnett was elected to PTDI's board of directors in 2007. In 2008, when then-chairman Ray Haight stepped down due to other obligations, he rec- ommended Burnett for the job, stating, "He's a man of action, results, and in- tegrity." Burnett has served as PTDI's chairman ever since, working tirelessly to make both insurance companies and motor carriers more aware of the value of PTDI and its standards for training, and he has led the charge to create a model driver finishing program. Jeffrey K. Davis, vice president, safe- ty, for Motor Transport Underwriters, Inc., of Indianapolis, Indiana, has high praise for Burnett. "Terry has brought a burning passion to PTDI to help this great industry find and train the drivers of tomorrow," he said. "Terry believes to his very soul the value of the pro- fessional truck driver, and has always worked to make sure they have the proper training to succeed in this noble profession. In doing so, he has played an important role in making our high- ways safer." Chris Burruss, president of PTDI and the Truckload Carriers Association, refers to Burnett as an "educational champion" when it comes to today's professional driver. "Terry possesses an innate ability to figure out what a driver really needs to operate safely. He then customizes those needs to a formidable training option, a truly intan- gible asset in today's entry-level driver market," he said. The presentation of the annual Lee J. Crittenden award keeps Crittenden's memory alive and serves as inspiration to others who get involved with truck driver issues. Crittenden helped many important industry activities get their start. He was passionate about pro- moting a positive image of the nation's professional truck drivers, and was largely responsible for the creation of America's Road Team. He also initiated a scholarship program for drivers who participate in the National Truck Driving Championships. His greatest industry achievement is largely believed to be his part in founding the Professional Truck Driver Institute, where he served on the board of directors and also as the finance chairman during the Insti- tute's infancy. Crittenden worked for Associates Commercial (which later became CitiCapital), the company that was instrumental in creating this award along with the Truckload Carriers Asso- ciation. ◆ May '14 www.studentdriverplacement.com 3 1 schoolbeat 0514.indd 2 4/21/14 9:39 AM