What’s new: Kevin Byrnes, a New Jersey feeder driver, was selected an America’s Road Team Captain by the American Trucking Associations Jan. 18.
Why it matters: Kevin is among 22 Captains, picked from more than 2,000 candidates, to serve as a trucking industry ambassador. He’ll travel the country to spread a message of safe driving, while teaching about the industry and its opportunities.
Meet Kevin: The Parsippany facility professional has four major reasons he cares so much about safety – his boys. He and his wife, Laura, have 18-year-old triplets (Joseph, Matthew and Christopher) and a soon-to-be 17-year-old (Jonathan).
“I need to come home every night to my family,” said Kevin, a Circle of Honor member with 30 years of safe driving. “I want to hug my boys when I get home every day and say goodbye when I leave.”
The former Marine is a two-time New Jersey state truck driving champion (2007 and 2019) with an estimated 2.5 million miles driven. Now he’s eager to put more miles on the road in representing UPS and the entire industry.
“There were tears of joy when I heard my name called,” Kevin said. “If I can manage to save one life doing this, it doesn’t get more meaningful than that. You can’t put words to it.”
Kevin, nominated by his management team, went through an arduous selection process that included an application, video, a speech, personal interview and mock media interview.
“This team will look to make a difference with how people drive on the road,” Kevin said. “Distracted driving is the No. 1 thing and my biggest pet peeve. It only takes a split second on whether I can see my family or if somebody else can see theirs.”
Other UPS finalists: While not selected as America’s Road Team Captains, two other feeder drivers were among 34 finalists out of the thousands considered.
- Jim Alvarez from Darien, Illinois
- Former Grand Champion of the Illinois State Trucking competition and a three-time state class champion.
- Safety co-chair with 32 years as a professional driver.
- Bernard Wanyo, Jr. from Newport, Pennsylvania
- A 19-year employee with 17 years of safe driving.
- Safety co-chair since 2012.