Our Founder and Chairman, Don Bowman, has had quite an impact on the trucking world. Among the many influences he has had include the creation of Driver Appreciation Week, an annual event celebrated across the country in honor of drivers who keep goods moving throughout the U.S. The creation of Driver Appreciation Week came when Mr. Bowman was chairman of the American Trucking Association in 1995 and 1996. Mr. Bowman and his wife, Jone, were traveling across the country and visiting with representatives of trucking associations in different states. When he met with Bill Webb of the Texas Motor Trucking Association, they talked about setting aside a week to honor drivers. Mr. Bowman made this his platform as chairman and worked throughout the year to establish it.
As a result, Driver Appreciation Week was officially established in September of 1996. “It’s a well-deserved recognition and they deserve to feel appreciated,” Mr Bowman says about the national event. “It was a way to promote the industry and get more people into it.”
It is pretty amazing to think about the impact our founder has had on thousands of drivers around the country with the creation and celebration of Driver Appreciation Week.