KLLM Drivers to Represent Mississippi at National Truck Driving Championship

 

 

Drivers Will Compete in New Orleans After Winning State Championship

 

RICHLAND, Miss. (June 27, 2006) – Three drivers from KLLM Transport Services were among the top award winners at the Mississippi Trucking Association Truck Driving Championship held recently in Tupelo. Two drivers were first place winners who will now advance to the National Truck Driving Championship, to be held this August in New Orleans.

At the Mississippi Trucking Association’s 36 th Annual Truck Driving Championships, KLLM drivers Paul Brownlee, Steve Jones and Melvin Johnson won awards in their respective categories. Brownlee (of Calhoun, Louisiana) won first place in the four-axle division, Jones (of Monroe, Louisiana) won first place in the five-axle division, and Johnson (of Natchez, Mississippi) placed third in the five-axle sleeper division. Brownlee and Jones will advance.

The driving competition is held to improve safety by promoting, encouraging and rewarding safe, responsible driving practices. During the competition, each driver must complete a written examination to test his/her knowledge of the trucking industry, driving rules, first aid and other key subjects. Field testing is done to measure each driver’s ability to identify safety defects in equipment. Finally, drivers are required to maneuver tractor-trailers through obstacles that test a driver’s ability to operate safely in very close quarters.

The Mississippi Truck Driving Championship was held at the Lee County Agricultural Complex in Tupelo. More than 100 drivers from companies and transportation carriers across Mississippi participated in the event. Individual state winners, including Brownlee and Jones, now advance to the National Truck Driving Championship August 14-19 in New Orleans.

“The drivers competing in this event were the best Mississippi has to offer,” said Vince Schott, KLLM’s Vice President of Information Services and Safety. “Only those drivers with

 

ADD ONE / KLLM DRIVERS TO REPRESENT MISSISSIPPI

spotless safety records were eligible to compete, and they first had to win their own company’s driving championship to qualify for the state event.”

Also honored by the Mississippi Trucking Association was Ricky Parker, KLLM’s Director of Safety, who was recognized for his service and commitment to safety practices.

“Our company is extremely proud of its drivers and the safety record we have achieved,” said Jim Richards, chief operating officer at KLLM. “This is important not just to us, but also our customers who rely on getting their loads delivered on time and on schedule.”

KLLM is the state’s largest Mississippi based transportation company and one of the largest transportation companies in the southeastern United States, operating a fleet of trucks, temperature-controlled trailers and dry-haul vans. KLLM provides transport of truckload freight to customers throughout the continental United States and Mexico and maintains a fleet of company-owned tractor/trailers and owner operators. For over 40 years, KLLM has been transporting perishable commodities and dry haul cargo.