Our Publix truck drivers deliver products our customers want and the essentials our stores need. We appreciate our hardworking truck drivers and fleet safety supervisors who prioritize safety and quality every day while representing our company.
Every year, hundreds of top professional truck drivers participate in truck driving competitions in various states across the country to showcase their skills and knowledge of the industry. Drivers compete from a wide range of companies and vehicle classes, such as tank truck, 5-axle and step van. Over several days, drivers are evaluated on written tests, pre-trip inspections, skills courses and other criteria.
This year, Publix truck drivers participated in the Alabama, Georgia and Florida State Truck Driving Championships. It is also the first time the Publix fleet has been awarded safety awards from Alabama, Georgia and Florida, as well as the American Trucking Associations, all in the same year.
Alabama competition
The Publix competitors for Alabama were:
- Mike McQueary — competed in flatbed class
- Chris Broom — competed in straight truck class
- Thelinor Jena — competed in 5-axle class
Georgia competition
In the Georgia State Truck Driving Championships, the Publix team consisted of 6 competitors, 4 of which were competing at the State Championships for the first time and 3 of which placed within top 3 of their class.
- David Price (photo below) — 2nd place, 5-axle class
- Daniel Cehrs (photo below) — 3rd place, 5-axle class
- Carlos Richardson — competed in 5-axle class
- Michael Swengel — 4th place, 4-axle class
- Jim Wright (photo below) — 2nd place, straight truck class
- Steven McKeague — 5th place, tanker class
David Price
Daniel Cehrs
Jim Wright
Additionally, Regional Fleet Safety Supervisor Jeff Melville (photo below) was named the Georgia Fleet Safety Professional of the Year.
Publix Truck Driver David Price was also named Rookie of the Year; this was one of the largest rookie classes in recent years, with 43 competing. Publix won the 2019 General Commodities — Truckload Division for 10 ― 20 Million Miles and the 2021 Private Fleet Award.
Florida competition
In the Florida State Truck Driving Championships, the Publix team consisted of 19 competitors, 2 of which placed within the top 3 of their class.
- David Guinn — 1st place, 5-axle class and grand champion
- Andy Harvey — competed in 5-axle class
- John Velarde — competed in 5-axle class
- Daniel Munoz — competed in 5-axle class
- Pedro Quezada — competed in 5-axle class
- Edward Cooper — competed in 5-axle class
- Omar Ritchie — competed in 5-axle class
- Jonathan Cook — competed in 5-axle class
- Roy Hand — competed in 5-axle class
- Kelneavan Strozier — competed in 5-axle class
- Tony Schmidt (photo below) — 2nd place, flatbed class
- Clark Dowdy — competed in flatbed class
- Oscar Torres — competed in 4-axle class
- James Swisher — competed in 4-axle class
- John Roberts — competed in 4-axle class
- Franklin Thomas — competed in 4-axle class
- Ronald Starks — competed in 4-axle class
- Keven Anderson — competed in tanker class
- John Kinchen — competed in tanker class
Tony Schmidt
Publix Truck Driver David Guinn (photo below) was named the grand champion, the competition’s highest honor, awarded to the top-performing driver of all classes combined. David will go on to compete in the American Trucking Associations National Truck Driver Championships held Aug. 16 — 20 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Additionally, Lakeland Regional Fleet Safety Supervisor Avi Figueroa (photo below) was inducted into the Florida Truck Driving Championship Hall of Fame in recognition of his many years of support.
Congratulations to our Publix truck drivers who competed and won in the Alabama, Florida and Georgia 2022 State Truck Driving Championships!
