Terry Collenbaugh, a freight handling professional/driver account specialist from Indianapolis, Indiana, was named Grand Champion at Roadway's 6th Annual Professional Freight Handlers Competition (PFHC). The event was held April 15-18, 2007, at the John S. Knight Center in Akron, Ohio.
Inspired by the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championships, Roadway created PFHC as a way to recognize its safe and skilled freight handlers. The competition consisted of four challenges: a pre-trip inspection, written examination, personal interview, and driving/freight handling course. Twenty-seven Roadway employees competed this year.
A 17-year Roadway employee, Terry Collenbaugh has had an injury-free career with Roadway. A member of the hazardous response team for over ten years, he is also a Smith System trainer. Terry competed in the Indiana Truck Driving Championship and finished first in 2004, second in 2005, and third in 2006. He also participated in the 2006 Professional Freight Handlers Competition.
Alphonso Lewis, a freight handling professional/driver account specialist from Montgomery, Alabama, received second place. Alphonso was Grand Champion at the 2002 Professional Freight Handlers Competition. He is a 15 year injury- and accident-free employee. Alphonso was his district and regional champion in 2002, 2004 and 2006. He has won the Alabama Truck Driving Championships in 1996 and 2003, placing third in 1997 and 2001, placing second in 2005, and first in 2006.
Brian Oliver, a freight handling professional from Chicago, Illinois, received third place. Brian is an 18-year Roadway employee.
Chuck Pearson, a freight handling professional/driver account specialist from Valdosta, Georgia, received the award for the highest pre-trip inspection score. Chuck earned the Grand Champion title in the 2005 and 2006 Professional Freight Handler Competitions. He is a 16-year safe worker, IPI council member, forklift trainer and represented his region in the 2004 competition as well.
Roadway President Terence M. Gilbert stated, "You understand how safety creates a better environment in our service centers, more value for our customers, and more opportunities to grow our business. Through your involvement, you help us all to be safer. Thank you for being a part of this competition and congratulations on your safety achievements."
Handling 3,100 pounds of freight an hour, 24,800 pounds in an eight-hour shift, this is a day in the life of a Roadway professional freight handler. Our professional freight handlers are sometimes the least visible members of the freight-handling team, but they are certainly not the least important. These dedicated employees move shipments safely, move it efficiently, and load it to ride from pick-up through to delivery. To do this, they need skill, knowledge, and a dedication to safety.
Employees from around the company competed in local and regional run-offs to earn their way to the national competition. To be eligible, employees had to be certified to operate forklifts and have an injury- and accident-free safety record for one year prior to the event.
Read more about the 2007 PFHC.
