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CHARLESTON -- Nine West Virginia truck drivers -- including one from Fayette County -- were recognized by members of the state House of Delegates and Senate on Wednesday, Mar. 13 for driving excellence and delivering life's essentials to state residents safely every day.
Each of the drivers had earned first place in their category of competition during the 2012 West Virginia Truck Driving Championships.
Jan Vineyard, President of the West Virginia Trucking Association, said, "It's important for our policymakers to understand the trucking industry and our emphasis on driving safely. These drivers represent the best of the best in West Virginia and are among the safest and most technically proficient drivers in the country. We appreciate the Legislature's recognition of their service and the importance of this industry to our state."
Those recognized included:
- John Hodges (Hurricane, WV) was awarded the 2012 Grand Champion Award. Hodges, a UPS Freight driver, also took 1st place in 3-Axle Semi-trailer. He has driven for nearly 34 years and has 3.4 million accident-free miles.
- James Priddy (Charleston, WV) is a professional truck driver for FedEx Freight who earned first place in the straight truck category;
- Tim Hodges (Hurricane, WV) is a professional truck driver for UPS Freight. He took first place in the 4-Axle Tractor Semi-trailer category. He has driven for 23 years and over 800,000 miles. He won Rookie of the Year in 2009, as well as winning his class of competition that year and in 2010. He is the son of John Hodges (referenced above).
- Clarence Jenkins, Jr. (Poca, WV) is a professional truck driver for UPS Freight. He took first place in the 5-Axle Van category. He has driven for 42 years and has 4.2 million accident-free miles. He has won his class in the WV Truck Driving Championships 16 times and placed first at the Nationals in 1998. He has been our Grand Champion three times and was elected as an American Trucking Associations Road Team Captain for 2007 – 2008.
- John Gibson (Scott Depot, WV) is a professional truck driver for ABF Freight Systems. He took first place in the 5-Axle Tank category. He has driven for 27 years and over 615,000 miles. He has won his class of competition four times.
- Kenneth Grimmett (Fayetteville, WV) is a professional truck driver for Con-way Freight. He took 1st place in 5-Axle Flatbed category. He has driven for 18 years and 2 million miles. He has won his class of competition five times and placed fifth in the Nationals in 2009 and 2010.
- Richard Spaur (Parkersburg, WV) is a professional truck driver for Con-way Freight. He took first place in Twins category in 2012.
- Steve Looney (St. Albans, WV) is a professional truck driver for Petroleum Transport Inc. He took first place in the Sleeper Berth category. He has driven for 18 years and 2.5 million miles. He also won his class of competition in 2009.
- Tim Bailey, Jr. (Salem, WV) is a professional truck driver for UPS. He took first place in the Step Van category.
