After driving more than 4 million miles without an accident,
Wrenn named TRALA Driver of the Year

Alexandria, VA – April 4, 2003 – After 33 years on the road with more than 4 million accident-free miles to his credit, no one would blame Thomas Edward Wrenn of thinking about retirement.

But Wrenn, who drives for Cargo Transporters (CT Group) of Claremont, N.C., says he doesn’t have any plans to turn in his keys. Recently named TRALA’s 2004 Driver of the Year, Wrenn says he’s even more determined to help groom a new generation of drivers.

“My advice to younger drivers is to go to work for a company that is safety oriented and takes care of its equipment,” says Wrenn, who typically spends six days on the road at a time hauling everything from vinyl siding to Krispy Kreme doughnut mix. “Working for a company like CT Group, you have pride in your driving and pride in your work.”

Wrenn began his career thanks to a fellow employee calling in sick. Wrenn, who was loading furniture onto trucks, was asked to drive a load from North Carolina to Virginia. After just one trip, he says he was hooked. Now, he’s driven through 48 states and says his favorite part of the job is seeing the country.

Wrenn has received 11 safety awards throughout his career, including Cargo Transporters’ Four Star Driver award. Wrenn is also considered a highway hero for his actions rescuing a fellow driver from a serious accident. After a truck’s battery box exploded, Wrenn and another passing driver rescued the unconscious accident victim.

For the past seven years, he also served as a driver trainer, mentoring younger drivers who are just out of North Carolina’s technical driver program.

“One of the reasons we selected Tom as a driver trainer is his driving ability and the professional way he handles himself not only on the road with customers but with the driving public,” said Tony Pope, who as president of CT Group nominated Wrenn for the award.

As winner of TRALA’s 2004 Driver of the Year program, sponsored by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Wrenn will receive a trophy and cash prize. Wrenn was honored for his accomplishments on April 3 at TRALA’s 2004 Annual Meeting in Phoenix.

This year, 14 drivers will receive certificates of merit for their outstanding service. These drivers with outstanding service are:

• Al Blyudzhyus of the St. Louis Bread Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, nominated by Hogan Motor Leasing.
• Alan Bogart of Shred-It in Memphis, Tennessee, nominated by Hogan Motor Leasing.
• Gene Ellis of CRH Transportation in St. Louis, Missouri, nominated by Hogan Motor Leasing.
• Lewis Frantz of Cooper Tire Company in Findlay, Ohio, nominated by Ryder System Inc.
• Brent Henshaw of AIM Dedicated Logistics in Girard, Ohio, nominated by AIM NationaLease.
• Robert Herndon of Rock Tenn in Wright City, Missouri, nominated by Hogan Motor Leasing.
• Dennis Hess of Clopay Transportation Co. in Russia, Ohio, nominated by Kirk NationaLease.
• Wayne McGreevy of Clopay Transportation Co. in Russia, Ohio, nominated by Kirk NationaLease.
• James Mitchell of PFC Express in Athens, Tennessee, nominated by Lesco Inc.
• Larry Rosengarten of Clopay Transportation Co. in Russia, Ohio, nominated by Kirk NationaLease.
• Robert Scott of Holland Enterprises in Fargo, North Dakota, nominated by Holland Enterprises.
• Michael Scumaci of Owens Corning in Summit, Illinois, nominated by Larsen Leasing.
• Jerome Stalder of Clopay Transportation Co. in Russia, Ohio, nominated by Kirk NationaLease.
• Robert Wohlferd of Lawrence Transportation Company in Rochester, Minnesota, nominated by Lawrence NationaLease.

“Each year, it grows more difficult for TRALA to choose just one Driver of the Year with the number of men and women who are giving their best on the roads day after day,” said TRALA President and CEO Peter Vroom. “We salute Mr. Wrenn for his dedication and wish him many more years of safe driving.”

The Truck Renting and Leasing Association, based in Alexandria, Va., is a voluntary, non-profit national trade association, organized in 1978 to provide a unified and focused voice for the truck renting and leasing industry. TRALA's membership includes more than 600 leasing and rental firms and 100 suppliers that make up nearly the entire truck renting and leasing industry. The renting and leasing industry is responsible for approximately 40 percent of all new class 3 through 8 commercial truck registrations.

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ABOUT TRALA
The Truck Renting and Leasing Association, based in Alexandria, Va., is a voluntary, non-profit national trade association, organized in 1978 to provide a unified and focused voice for the truck renting and leasing industry. TRALA's membership includes more than 650 leasing and rental firms and 100 suppliers that make up nearly the entire full-service truck renting and leasing industry. The renting and leasing industry is responsible for approximately 40 percent of all new class 3 through 8 commercial truck registrations.