Decker Team Earns Three 1st Place Honors at State Competition

AMES, IOWA-A team of seven drivers represented Decker Truck Line, Inc. of Fort Dodge at the 2005 Iowa Truck Driving Championships held in June 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, an independent contractor with Decker Truck Line, Inc. for six years, was awarded first place in the Four Axle Van Division. The first place trophy in the Five Axle Van Division for the second consecutive year was awarded to Mark Phillips an independent contractor who has been leased with Decker for seven years. Phillips was selected to advance to the National Truck Driving Championships to be held August 16 th -20th in Tampa, FL. 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.

This year marks the 41st anniversary of the Truck Driving Championships 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.

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