Decker Team Earns Three 1st Place Honors at State Competition
AMES-A team of seven drivers represented Decker Truck
Line, Inc. of Fort Dodge at the 2005 Iowa Truck
Driving Championships held June 24th and 25th at the Iowa State
Center in Ames.
The members of the Decker Team were: Bill Bindel, Pocahontas; Dave
Bush, Fort Dodge; Mark Hullerman, Mt. Hope, WI; Eric Jensvold,
Nevada, IA; Mike Otto, Humboldt; Mark Phillips, Pocahontas; Bob
Wolvers, Hampton.
Dave Bush was awarded first place in the Four Axle Van Division.
Dave is an independent contractor who has been associated with
Decker Truck Line, Inc. for six years. Mark Phillips was awarded
the first place trophy in the Five Axle Van Division for the second
consecutive year. Mark is an independent contractor who has been
leased with Decker for seven years. Mark was selected to advance to
the National Truck Driving Championships to be held in Tampa, FL,
August 16-20, 2005. The entire Decker Team earned the 1st place
trophy for Highest Overall Team Points.
One hundred eighteen professional truck drivers representing 23
trucking companies participated in the two-day event. There were
nine classes of competition: three-axle van; four-axle van;
five-axle van; flatbed; tank; sleeper; twin trailers; straight
truck; and heavy duty tow truck. Drivers were tested in four areas:
driving skills, pretrip inspection; written exam and personal
interview.
In order to qualify to participate, drivers must have an
accident-free record 12 months prior to the event, have been
employed by the same company for one year prior to the event, and
have been actively performing duties of a professional truck driver
for 12 months prior to the event. The drivers must also process an
outstanding attitude and have illustrated a commitment and
dedication to safety.
Additional events were held during the competition for children,
spouses and invited guests. A driving competition was held for
company CEO’s, legislators and the news media, allowing them
the experience of driving an 18-wheeler. A driving challenge was
also held for spouses in straight trucks. In addition, the Iowa
State Patrol coordinated a Bike Rodeo for children in kindergarten
through eighth grade.
The Truck Driving Championships is an event that showcases the
professionalism that exists among Iowa’s finest drivers. This
year marks the 41st anniversary of this outstanding tradition,
which is sponsored by the Iowa Motor Truck Association and the Iowa
Council of Safety Management.
Decker Truck Line, Inc., in business since 1931, is under sole ownership of Don Decker, with corporate offices in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Additional terminals are located in Davenport, Iowa; Mediapolis, Iowa; Mason City, Iowa; Hammond, Indiana; Masury, Ohio; Birmingham, Alabama; and Hutchins, Texas. Decker is a diversified carrier transporting flatbed, refrigerated, and dry van freight to the 48 contiguous states and seven Canadian provinces.
