LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Wal-Mart driver Mark Taylor will be taking over as president for Trucker Buddy International, after the position was vacated by Don Nehring during the organizations board meeting.

Roxane Rose, executive director for Trucker Buddy, made the announcement during the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. on March 24.

Taylor has served on the Trucker Buddy board of directors for the past four years and Nehring will remain on the board of directors after his two years as president.

Youve done so much and the reason Trucker Buddy isnt the organization it was two years ago, its grown so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you, said Rose in appreciation of the past presidents efforts.

The announcement was made during a special luncheon hosted by Trucker Buddy to honour the Driver of the Month award winners from 2006.

Trucker Buddies are nominated by the teachers and classrooms with which they are paired. Selections are then made by a committee based on a variety of factors, including the reason the teacher nominated them, their years in the program and other letters of recommendation that accompany the nomination.

The very fact that we have more than 3,000 truck drivers who volunteer their time to help educate children around the world is a testament to the quality of men and women who deliver freight, said Rose. Yet, the drivers we are honouring here today are the best of the best. They have gone above and beyond the basic pen-pal requirements of the Trucker Buddy program, making a difference in the lives of hundreds of elementary schoolchildren and having a positive impact on them, their parents and the communities where the schools are located.

Honoured during the luncheon were:

January Harold Bruce Moss III from Mayetta, Ks., a Trucker Buddy for four years. Moss is an owner/operator with Dart Transit in Eagan, Minn. and is partnered with Donna Lavolds Grade 3 class in Waupaca, Wis.

February John Manering from Jackson, Ohio, a Trucker Buddy for three years. Manerian is a driver for WH Transportation in Wausau, Wis. and is partnered with a Grade 3 class at Smithville Elementary School in Smithville, Ohio.

March Carroll and Dora Bean from Alburg, Vt., Trucker Buddies for eight years. The pair are owner/operators with FedEx Custom Critical in Green, Ohio and are matched with a Grade 3 class at Overland Elementary School in Rock Springs, Wyo.

April John Waldvogel from Toledo, Ohio, a Trucker Buddy for 10 years. He is a driver with Motor Carrier Services in Northwood, Ohio and is matched with a special education class at Sutton Elementary School in Arian, Mich.

May Gary The Viking Ninivirta from Thunder Bay, Ont. a Trucker Buddy for three years. Ninivirta is a driver for Winnipeg Moving in Winnipeg and is paired with 120 Grade 8 students in Chippewa Falls, Wis.

June Grandma Bonnie Dewitt from Brookline Station, Mo., who recently retired from the Trucker Buddy program. Dewitt was matched with supplementary reading and writing students in Grades 3 to 6 at Homer Intermediate School in Homer, N.Y.

July Vic and Sue Rabbi and Kachina Doll Jones from Kansas City, Mo., who have been Trucker Buddies for three years. The pair are Expediter owner/operators and are matched with a Grade 2 class at Southport Elementary School in Indianapolis.

August Tracey Alf and Sean Dillon from Arnprior, Ont., Trucker Buddies for three years. The pair drives for Yanke in Saskatoon and is matched with a Grade 2 class at Arongen Elementary School in Clifton Park, N.Y.

September Rod Roadrocker Duncan from Venice, Fla. Duncan is a driver for Crete Carrier in Lincoln, Neb. and is paired with a Grade 3 class at Robert Frost Elementary School in Kirkland, Wash.

October Steve Weibley from Loveland, Colo., a Trucker Buddy for 10 years. Weibley drives for Stevens Transport in Loveland and is paired with a Grade 2 class at Sarah Milner Elementary School in his hometown.

November Chris Jones from Ottawa, Ks., a Trucker Buddy for five years. He is a driver for Wal-Mart and is matched with a Grade 2 class at Simsboro High School in Simsboro, La.

December Bruce Brandon from Chattanooga, Tenn. He is a driver fro Crete Carrier in Lincoln, Neb. and is matched with a Grade 6 class at Njardvik Elementary School in Iceland.

Trucker Buddies who are chosen as Drivers of the Month receive $300 cash to spend on their class, a $200 gift certificate for Trucker Buddy merchandise, a personalized jacket and a number of truck accessories from program sponsors.

Since 1992, Trucker Buddy has helped educate more than a million schoolchildren while introducing them to caring, compassionate men and women who help drive the economy. Trucker Buddy has participants in North America, Africa, Australia, Iceland, India and New Zealand.