Truck inspectors compete in annual championship
NAIC 2012 Grand Champion Christopher Smithen accepts his award from CVSA Executive Director Stephen A. Keppler, left, and CVSA President David L. Palmer. (Courtesy: CVSA/KEN CARR)
The Trucker News Services
8/13/2012
MINNEAPOLIS — Christopher Smithen, a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance-certified inspector from Nevada, has captured the Jimmy K. Ammons Grand Champion Award at the organization’s annual North American Inspectors Championship.
Smithen won the award for his combined performances in six competition elements — North American Standard Level I Inspection, North American Standard Level I Inspection Procedures, North American Standard HazMat/Transportation of Dangerous Goods Inspection, North American Standard Cargo Tank/Other Bulk Packagings Inspection, North American Standard Level V Passenger Vehicle (Motorcoach) Inspection, and North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria Exam.
Fifty roadside inspectors representing jurisdictions across North America participated in the competition held here Aug. 6-9 in conjunction with the American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driving and National Step Van Driving Championships.
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“We are proud to recognize and reward each of our 50 roadside inspectors from across North America who not only demonstrate their professional excellence and dedication to highway safety but inspire others to do the same,” said Stephen A. Keppler, CVSA’s Executive Director. “Their enthusiasm and passion goes a long way in advancing commercial vehicle safety and saving lives due to the information, techniques and experiences they will share with others in furtherance of improving uniformity in the enforcement of highway safety standards across the continent.”
“The hard work of these dedicated law enforcement professionals makes a real difference, we owe a great debt of gratitude to our commercial vehicle inspectors for keeping trucks and buses operating safely on our highways,” said CVSA President Asst. Chief David L. Palmer “It is through NAIC that we honor these inspectors for their tireless commitment to highway safety and continuous improvement.”
“The 2012 NAIC is a great opportunity for FMCSA to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of top safety inspectors from across the country.” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro “Congratulations to all NAIC competitors for your achievement and thank you for your dedication to saving lives.”
In addition to the Grand Champion award, the following additional awards were presented:
• High Points United States: Christopher Smithen, Nevada
• High Points Canada: Jason Droog, Ontario
• High Points Mexico: Jacobo Alejandro Garcia Arias
• North American Standard Level I Inspection: 1. Josh Anderson, North Dakota; 2. Jonathan Bates, Massachusetts; 3.Christopher Smithen, Nevada.
• North American Standard Level V Passenger Vehicle (Motorcoach) Inspection: 1. Jason Droog, Ontario; 2. Brad Yates, Louisiana; 3. Christopher Smithen, Nevada.
• North American Standard Hazardous Materials/Transportation of Dangerous Goods and Cargo Tank/Bulk Packagings Inspection: 1. Christopher Smithen, Nevada; 2. Josh Anderson, North Dakota; 3. Jason Droog, Ontario.
• Smithen was given the John Youngblood Award of Excellence, a special award NAIC contestants bestow on a fellow NAIC inspector who exemplifies the high standards and unwavering dedication to the profession.
• Team Award: Yellow Team: Team Leader – Jack Wallace; JW Watlington, Arizona; Brent Moore, Georgia; Brad Yates, Louisiana; Christopher Smithen, Nevada; Josh Anderson, North Dakota; Jason Droog, Ontario; Carlos Castillo Ortiz, Mexico; William Bronson, South Carolina.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial, and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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