Meet the Arkansas Road Team Captains
Jose Ara, Old Dominion Freight Line
With over 1 million safe driving miles and 9 years of safe driving awards, Jose has clenched
multiple titles at the Arkansas Truck Driving Championship. A resident of Texarkana, Ark., Jose
loves hunting and fishing, horseback riding and spending time with his family and friends.
Rodney Ashbrook, ABF Freight
Rodney Ashbrook of ABF Freight has logged over 2.5 million miles in his 23 years as a
professional driver. Rodney has used his expertise to serve as a driver trainer and help mentor
new drivers. If he wasn’t driving, he’d like to be involved in law enforcement. A resident of
Benton, Ark., in his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his wife.
Wesley Cox, J.B. Hunt Transport
Over his 33 years as a professional driver, Wesley has accrued 2.6 million accident-free miles.
Based out of Fayetteville, Ark., he has been a driver for J.B. Hunt for the past 25 years.
Nathaniel Evans, Tyson Foods, Inc.
Of his 16 year career, Nathan has served as a Tyson driver for most of it. He has twice been
awarded Driver of the Quarter as well as earning the Million Mile safe driver award. The Rudy, Ark. resident is involved at his church and enjoys hiking, fishing, kayaking and riding four
wheelers.
Danny Fuller, XPO Logistics
Danny Fuller has an extensive career in trucking spanning 36 years. A native of Jonesboro, Ark., he is currently employed with XPO Logistics and has been with them for 26 years, serving as a driver trainer since 2012. In addition to logging more than 4.2 million accident-free miles, Danny is a six-time Arkansas Truck Driving Championship title-holder including one Grand Champion title.
Dave Hall, ABF Freight
Dave Hall has logged 3 million miles in his 29-year career as a professional driver. At the
Arkansas Truck Driving Championship, Dave has 5 first place in class wins and 3 Grand Champion wins, as well as one national first place in class win. He is currently employed with ABF Freight. Dave likes to spend his free time camping and fishing.
Jona Jordan, FedEx Freight
He may be the youngest captain but this Conway native is passionate about safety and promoting the industry as a career to younger audiences. Jona currently holds a 2-year safe driving award. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family and watching
football.
Jessie King, FedEx Freight
Jessie King has been a professional driver with FedEx Freight for two decades. He has logged
over 2 million miles and received numerous safe driving awards. His dedication to safety is what inspires him to train and educate new drivers with proper safety techniques to ensure a safe
return home.
Ronnie Mahan, FedEx Freight
Ronnie has been driving professionally for two decades, including spending the past seven
years with FedEx Freight where he has earned the 5-Year Safe Driver Award. He has accumulated 1.5 million accident-free miles and serves as a road coach for new drivers.
Gary Mars, Walmart Transportation
Over his 30-year career, Gary Mars has accumulated 3.4 million miles without a preventable accident, including 18 years with Walmart Transportation. He serves on the Walmart Road Team,is a NATMI-certified driver trainer and has seen success with not only the Arkansas Truck Driving Championship but also the National Truck Driving Championship.
Weston Mars, Walmart Transportation
Weston Mars is a fifth-generation freight hauler. A native of Fayetteville, Ark., he has been a
professional driver for the past 6 years and is currently employed at Walmart Transportation.
Weston is a volunteer firefighter in his community and enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time.
Bret McBain, Walmart Transportation
As a 38-year driving veteran, Bret has logged over 3.5 million safe driving miles. This Bella Vista,
Ark. resident has placed first in his class at the Arkansas Trucking Driving Championship numerous times as well as competing at the national level. He is currently Team Lead for Walmart’s Driver Technology/MPG training course. In his free time, Bret enjoys building custom motorcycles, bass fishing and playing golf.
Donnie Pace, ABF Freight
Donnie began his career as a professional truck driver at the age of 21. Over the past nearly
three decades, he has accrued more than 2 million accident-free miles. When he's not driving, he enjoys spending time with his son and daughter, even helping coach their little league teams.
Larry Rhein, FedEx Freight
Larry Rhein has spent most of his impressive 33-year career as a professional driver with
FedEx Freight. He has logged over 3 million safe miles in his career and is continuously recognized for his dedication to safety. A native of Harrison, Ark., Larry has claimed numerous titles at the Arkansas Truck Driving Championship and has even placed at the National Truck
Driving Championship.
Michael Robertson, Old Dominion Freight Line
Michael, a Texarkana, Ark. resident, started his driving career while on active duty. As a certified
driver trainer, he touts a 24-year streak without a preventable accident and over 2 million safe driving miles. When he’s not behind the wheel, Mike
facilitates therapeutic horseback riding and lessons. He operates his own BBQ catering business and enjoys fishing and spending quality time with his grandchildren.
Isaiah Rodrigues, J.B. Hunt Transport
Being awarded Driver of the Month, Regional Driver of the Month and almost 1 million safe
driving miles, it’s clear that the Van Buren, Ark. resident is passionate about safe driving
practices. When he’s not behind the wheel or fulfilling his account driver trainer duties, Isaiah enjoys kayaking, hiking, and doing home renovations with his wife.
Austin Simmons, FedEx Freight
Having spent most of his career with FedEx Freight, Austin has accumulated over 600,000 safe driving miles. The Springdale resident has been awarded the 2-Year Safe Driver Award and is
passionate about promoting safe driving techniques to students. In his spare time, Austin enjoys riding his side-by-side.
DeAndre Taylor, Star Transportation
As a driver trainer, DeAndre is passionate about roadway safety. Within his 13 year career, he has accumulated 1.5 million safe driving miles. When off the clock, he enjoys yard work, riding
four wheelers and working out in his hometown of Bono, Ark.
Daniel Workman, Old Dominion Freight Line
This Hensley, Ark. resident has worked within the trucking industry since he was 18. Starting as a dock employee, he worked his way from city
driver to linehaul driver to supervisor and driver
trainer. Daniel has over 6 years of safe driving to his name. In his spare time, he coaches his son’s Little League
team, enjoys hunting and going to the lake with his family.