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| ...the Voice of the Trucking Industry Since 1939. | Thursday 17, May 2012 |
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2011 Driver of the Year
Ricky Lopez AAA Cooper Transportation LMTA’s 2011 Driver of the Year, Ricky Lopez of AAA Cooper Transportation, has been in the trucking industry – and employed by the same company – for over 24 years. Ricky has an exemplary safety record and began competing in the LMTA Truck Driving Championships in 1991. He is always promoting safety and encouraging other drivers to participate. He placed numerous times and has represented Louisiana at the National Truck Driving Championships. On September 11, 2010, Ricky was on his usual run from New Orleans to Meridian, MS when he intercepted a call over the CB about an accident. As he approached the accident scene, he could see that a car was upside down in the median. Putting his flashers on, he pulled to the side of the road and approached the car. Two occupants had already climbed out but two were still inside the car. Ricky helped the remaining 2 out of the car and called 911. Noticing that all 4 occupants were teenagers, he offered to call their families. He remained with the teenagers until medical personnel arrived at the scene. Ricky and his wife Donna have 2 children, Ricky and Heather, and reside in Chalmette, Louisiana. He is the President of the West Pigeon Hunting Club and a member of the Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church. 2010 LMTA Driver of the Year
LMTA’s 2010 Driver of the Year, Marco Becerra of Con-way Freight, has been in the trucking industry for over 26 years. He has competed in the LMTA Truck Driving Championships for over 16 years when prompted by a friend of his to compete and has been quite successful – placing in the top 3 a majority of the time. In addition, Marco promotes participation among his fellow company drivers. In 2008 Marco was headed to help his 80 year old uncle with clean up following Hurricane Katrina along with his young daughter when he noticed a driver lose control of their car and crash into the swamp. Marco stopped to offer assistance, went into the swamp and found the driver, a lady with cuts all over her face and upper body. She was moved roadside where emergency personnel were on hand to take over. As Marco continued on his way, his daughter as him “Dad, why did you help those people?” to which he responded “Because I felt I had to.” With a huge smile on her face, Marco’s daughter said “Dad, you were brave for doing that.” What a feeling…to help someone in trouble and be seen as a hero in your daughter’s eyes! Marco Becerra so impressed Con-way Freight, his current employer, that he was featured in their corporate magazine for his positive attitude and commitment to the company. Marco is always positive and makes a positive impact on all who come in contact with him. He always looks on the bright side…every when it’s cloudy out…how appropriate this weekend! Marco Becerra served his country in the U.S. Marines for 4 years. He and his wife Angele reside with their three children in Carriere, MS. We are pleased to recognize Marco Becerra with Con-way Freight as the LMTA 2010 Driver of the Year. 2009 LMTA Driver of the Year
LMTA’s 2009 Driver of the Year, Stacy Sansom of YRC has been in the trucking industry for over 13 years. He is a descendent of a long line of truck drivers in his family – both his grandfather and uncles were truck drivers their entire adult lives – and Stacy claims that their professionalism and excellent driving records “rubbed off” on him. Stacy is currently a certified “Smith System” and “Tight Quarters Maneuvering” Trainer. He participates in the Trucker Buddy Program and is a present and past member of his company’s premier safety council. In addition to his current training and volunteer activities, Stacy aspires to be a future Captain on America’s Road Team. Stacy Sansom has received numerous safety and driving awards from his company. Over his years as a truck driver he has witnessed numerous accidents for which he has offered assistance; summoned emergency personnel when necessary; helped redirect traffic and provided information as a witness – often remaining on the scene to insure everyone’s safety. Stacy has always had a passion for truck safety and became involved in the LMTA Truck Driving Championships after a co-worker, Myron Randall, displaced from Hurricane Katrina relocated to his hometown. Stacy helped his Myron feel at home – offering his own home when yet another hurricane threatened New Orleans. Myron, a veteran state and national Championship participant recognized his desire to succeed and encouraged him to participate in the LMTA Championships where, in his second year of competition, Stacy won his division and went on to participate in the ATA Championships in 2008. Stacy also offers his carpentry skills to help those in need by volunteering his time away from his job to repair homes for and though his church, he continues to provide his skills to those in need. He is an advocate for the trucking industry through his personal and professional accomplishments. 2008 LMTA Driver of the Year
LMTA’s 2008 Driver of the Year, Gerald Bonin of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has over 29 years as a professional driver and over 2 million safe driving miles without a preventable accident. He attributes the local, state and national truck driving championships – for which he holds numerous awards – plus an award for helping a stranded motorist as incentives for him to keep his career safe and accident free. During his career he has also volunteered to haul emergency cargo to devastated areas of the country on several occasions. In 1990 Gerald received an award for helping an injured motorist who had lost control of his vehicle and had been ejected into the travel lane of the highway. He stopped his rig next to the badly injured person to prevent other motorists from hitting him and kept him warm and dry in heavy rain until help arrived. Beyond driving, Gerald was born with a talent for art and painting. He sometimes gets to help people in need by donating some of his prints and paintings to charity auctions. And though his paintings are good enough to sell, he gets more enjoyment in giving them away than he ever could get by receiving money. Gerald volunteers his time once a year to haul powered wheel chairs to kids afflicted with muscular dystrophy to the MD Anderson’s summer camp in Shreveport, LA. Seeing the emotion, tears of joy and appreciation on these children’s faces when he arrives with their chairs gives him satisfaction beyond anything he could ever do as a professional driver. As a matter of fact, we had to come up with a pretty good excuse for him to pass on his mission this year as it was the weekend he was recognized at the LMTA Safety Banquet! Unfortunately, unlike most professional drivers, his time off isn’t spent without an additional load. Gerald’s wife has been a victim of MD for the past 20 years, completely confined to a wheelchair. As her primary caregiver, he is not only responsible for the housework, grocery shopping and yard work, but to also ensure that her needs are met while he is on the road. He and his wife are thankful that they have a great support system in place with their three children pitching in. |
