WASHINGTON, D.C. — The elite group of drivers which make up Americas Road Team for 2007/2008 includes five volunteers to the Trucker Buddy program.

In January, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) announced the 16 drivers who had been named to the 2007-2008 Road Team. Included in this elite group of million-mile, accident-free professional truck drivers are five Trucker Buddies:

Wayne Crowder of Lanesville, Ind. with FedEx Freight, a Trucker Buddy since 2004 and matched with fourth graders in Indianapolis, Ind.

Dennis Day of Lawrenceville, Ga. with Con-way Freight, a Trucker Buddy since 2007 and matched with third graders in Gainesville, Ga.

Steve Fields of Independence, Mo. with Yellow Transportation, a Trucker Buddy since 2003 and matched with fifth graders in Independence, Mo.

Anthony Sifford of Hillsville, Va. with FedEx Ground, a Trucker Buddy since 2005 and matched with fourth graders in Belington, W.V.

Tony Spero of Stratford, Conn. with ABF Freight System, a Trucker Buddy since 1999 and matched with fourth graders in Hamden, Ct.

Sixteen captains, with a collective 366 years of experience and nearly 30.5 million safe-driving miles among them – and more than 15 years volunteering for Trucker Buddy – will spend the next two years representing the trucking industry and delivering its highway safety message to the motoring public.

They were selected in a competition based on their knowledge of trucking industry safety issues, communication skills and interview abilities, and a review of community service.

“The best part is that a number of the new captains are in the Trucker Buddy Program. This is very special to me, because I would not be the president of Trucker Buddy without the training I received as an America’s Road Team Captain,” said Don Nehring, president of Trucker Buddy. “This is a very proud moment in my life to see other captains involved in the education of children all over the world. I’m very proud of all the drivers who take time to get involved with Trucker Buddy International.”