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Pilot
Flying J Announces Winners
of
Third Annual Road Warrior Contest
|
Three professional
drivers join group of past Road Warrior winners and
receive cash
prizes for their hard work, perseverance and passion for driving
|
Knoxville,
TN – February 2017 / Newsmaker Alert / Pilot
Flying J announces the winners of its third annual Road Warrior campaign.
Jacqueline Rocha of Acworth, Georgia, Kevin Mailand of Lawrence,
Kansas, and Charles Johnson of Dubuque, Iowa, have been named the
grand, second and third place Road Warrior winners respectively.
In
September 2016, Pilot Flying J kicked off the annual online contest to
thank professional drivers for keeping the nation moving by recognizing
those who demonstrate hard work, perseverance and passion for their craft
and asking Americans to nominate “heroes on the road” who go the extra
mile to get the job done right. As winners of the third annual Road Warrior
campaign, Rocha will receive $10,000, Mailand will receive $5,000 and Johnson
will receive $2,500, and all will join an exclusive group of past program
winners.
“We
are always so inspired by the passion and determination of professional
drivers,” said Ken Parent, president of Pilot Flying J. “All three winners,
and so many of their fellow drivers, are excellent representations of the
professional driver community, and we are thrilled to recognize them with
this Road Warrior honor.”
The
new Road Warrior are each making strong contributions to the professional
driving community in their own, unique ways:
-
Jacqueline
Rocha, grand prize winner: As a long haul driver who joined the professional
driving community just after she turned 21, Rocha is an advocate for the
industry, encouraging millennials and females to consider careers in trucking.
In her career as a professional driver, Rocha strives to learn from the
veterans of the road, while simultaneously helping those new to the industry
excel. As she continues her career, Rocha hopes to start a nonprofit organization
that funds the costs associated with commercial driver’s license school,
particularly aimed at recruiting young women to the industry. Rocha represents
the first woman Road Warrior contest winner.
-
Kevin
Mailand, second place winner: Mailand, who was nominated by his wife,
is a second-generation long haul driver with more than 30 years of professional
driving experience. With more than two million miles of safe driving experience
logged with his current company, Mailand has earned respect from his peers
for his willingness to help fellow drivers across the country. Even after
being diagnosed with stage three esophageal cancer and undergoing chemotherapy,
radiation and major surgery, Mailand maintains his love for the industry
and is still driving professionally.
-
Charles
Johnson, third place winner: Johnson earned his Road Warrior stripes
for his 43 years of professional driving experience, at one point or another
driving through all 50 states and all providences of Canada. Career highlights
include driving through Glacier National Park into Canada during the winter,
driving for the U.S. Army and training more than 500 professional drivers.
“More
than anything, I’m incredibly humbled to join a great group of past Road
Warrior winners,” said Rocha. “I’ve met countless hardworking professional
drivers over the course of my time behind the wheel, many of whom inspire
me daily with their passion for this amazing industry. This award wouldn’t
be possible without the mentors who came before me to help shape my career.”
Pilot
Flying J previously named Oceanside, California, resident Erik Michaels
as its second annual Road Warrior grand prize winner. As a long haul driver
with 47 years of experience, Michaels overcame extreme odds to return to
the road after experiencing a major stroke while on the job. U.S. Army
veteran Kyle Cones received the first Road Warrior honor for his commitment
to his fellow drivers, family and country.
To
learn more about the Road Warrior program, view exclusive content and read
up about the winners, visit RoadWarrior.PilotFlyingJ.com.
To join the Road Warrior conversation, follow #RoadWarrior on social media.
About
Pilot Flying J
Pilot
Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, is committed
to connecting people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every
stop. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Flying J has more than
750 retail locations, 44 Goodyear Commercial Tire and Service Centers and
43 Boss Shops all of which accept MyRewards loyalty cards, Pilot Flying
J’s loyalty rewards program. The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers
with access to more than 70,000 parking spaces for trucks, 4,900 showers
and more than 5,000 diesel lanes offering Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) at
the pump. Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 14 on Forbes’ list of
America’s Largest Private Companies. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com
for more information.
Media
Contact:
Brittany
Norvell
Communication
Coordinator, Pilot Flying J
865-474-2601 |