Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/322764
6 www.studentdriverplacement.com June '14 Cover Story RANDALLREILLY ANNOUNCES 2014 MIKE O'CONNELL MEMORIAL TRUCKING'S TOP ROOKIE PROGRAM T h ree years ago, Randall- Reilly Recruiting Media launched a Trucking's Top Rookie contest to in- crease pride and profession- alism among new drivers, and promote the truck driving career choice during a severe shortage of drivers. Through its many trucking periodicals and industry part- ners like Shell ROTELLA, Progressive Insurance, Pilot Flying J and Rand Mc- Nally, Randall-Reilly has been able to promote the contest and to recognize 99 nominees thus far. "We've had great response to the Trucking's Top Rookie contest thanks to our sponsors and support from associa- tion partnerships with TCA, ATA, CVTA, and NAPFTDS," Scott Miller, Senior Vice President, Sales for Randall-Reilly, said. "With $25,000 in cash and prizes plus more time for entries, this year's contest promises to be bigger and better. We hope to have 50 nominees in 2014." The winning driver's award is being renamed to honor Mike O'Connell, the former Executive Director of CVTA, who fi rst suggested that Randall-Reilly pursue an entry-level driver recognition program. Any CDL holder who has graduated from a PTDI certifi ed, or NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school within the past year and has been employed by a trucking company for less than one year, is eligible for the Mike O'Connell Memorial Truck- ing's Top Rookie award. Nominations may be made by motor carrier employers, training orga- nizations, and/or other in- terested parties. There is a standardized nomination form, which can be completed online at http://www.truck- load.org/rookie between May 1 and June 27, 2014. An expert panel of judges, which in- cludes representatives from motor car- riers, suppliers, trade associations and driver training schools, will identify 10 fi nalists. The winner will be interviewed by Eric Harley on RedEye Radio Network and will be recognized during a press conference at the Great American Truck Show in Dallas, TX. The win¬ner will also receive: a $10,000 check; a custom plaque from Award Company of America, a division of Randall-Reilly; a RoadPro Getting Start- ed Living On-The-Go Package; $1,000 cash and 100,000 MyRewards points from Pilot Flying J; a GPS unit from Rand McNally; an American Trucking Asso¬ciations "Good Stuff Trucks Bring It" pack¬age, and a dash camera from Cobra Electronics. The other nine fi nalists will receive $1,000 and a similar prize pack. Please nominate your deserving drivers today! ◆ T R U C K I N G ' S cover story 0614.indd 1 5/20/14 10:22 AM