25 www.ortrucking.org Issue 1 | 2024 Chris’ involvement in the Oregon and national TDC competitions has given him the opportunity to become one of the American Trucking Association’s America’s Road Team Captains, which serve as representatives of the trucking industry with youth, elected officials, and the public. “It’s a real honor to be chosen for America’s Road Team,” said Chris. “We’re out there talking about the importance of safety and the industry and how important trucks are to the nation’s economy.” Chris’ experience participating in TDC has taken him across the country and given him an opportunity to compete in every category offered at the competition. His 2023 win in the five Axle category rounded out his goal to take first place in every category. While he says Twins is his favorite, he wanted to prove his skill by taking first in every other category before returning to Twins, the same category in which he earned a second-place trophy at nationals his second year competing. Chris has been instrumental in getting more drivers involved with TDC, particularly among his fellow FedEx drivers. The FedEx Portland team has had four TDC national champions come out of their headquarters alone, making them one of the top TDC teams in the nation. “I always tell the other drivers that TDC opens up a whole new world for them,” said Chris. “When you compete and get involved it becomes like another family for you and it’s an incentive to keep you safe.” Chris is looking forward to this year’s Oregon TDC in April and encourages any drivers who are interested in competing to take the leap and sign up. He’ll be the first to tell you that the opportunity to compete in TDC has been one of his favorite parts of being a professional truck driver. “TDC opens up a whole new world for us,” said Chris. “I’m more proud of being a truck driver now than I ever have been after doing TDC.”
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