In November, 1992, a professional truck driver, Gary King, contacted a
grade school in Williams Bay, WI and asked the principal for permission
to write to a class of students as "pen-pals." One fourth grade teacher
quickly agreed, and King began writing postcards and short letters every
week. The students eagerly wrote back and asked him questions about
driving and the sights he saw. The teacher quickly recognized the value of
the letters in stimulating the children's interest in reading, writing and other
subjects, and integrated them into her teaching routine. When other drivers
saw King writing his postcards and letters at the many truckstops he visited
across the country, they, too, became interested in the program and wanted
their own pen-pals.

The Trucker Buddy program became incorporated on July 1, 1993. Within the first year of operation, Trucker Buddy grew to almost 1,000 driver-teacher matches. Now the program has over 2,500 matches and almost 60,000 students per year. The Board of Directors was expanded to include active drivers and one teacher. Screening and back ground checks were added to ensure the safety of the children. These are performed on each new and renewed driver. Even the Board of Directors must pass the same test. Trucker Buddies enrich the lives of tens of thousands of school children and places a face behind the steering wheel of trucks across the country.

"Teachers adore the program because it makes school subjects come alive. The kids track the movements of their Trucker Buddy, discuss the places he or she visits, the loads hauled, and even personal facts. Many kids regard their Trucker Buddy as a true mentor, not just a pen-pal."

Board of Directors
President
Mark Taylor
Professional Driver
Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC

Vice President
Peter Charboneau
Over-the-Road, Canada

Secretary
Elisabeth Barna
American Trucking Associations

Treasurer
Don Darden
Bridgestone/Firestone

Jill Buhl, Transport America
Heather DeBaille, Cat Scale
Steve Gundale, Dart Advantage
Eric Harley, Midnight Trucking Radio Network
James Malone, Central Refrigerated Transport
Kate Miller, Newport Communications
Mark Reddig, Landline Now
Mike Reilly, Randall Reilly Publishing
Mike Ryan, Mike Ryan Motorsports
Steve Sichterman - ACS, a Xerox Company
Brad Williamson, Detroit Diesel

Advisory Council
David Grose, Retired Driver (in memoriam)
Darrel Hicks, Past President
Don Nehring, FedEx Ground, Past President
D. Mike Pennington, ArvinMeritor
Robert Rothstein, Attorney, Franklin & Prokopik
Greg Shipman, Vertical Alliance Group