The International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) recently revealed the 69 inductees in the 2022 class of the IFDA Truck Driver Hall of Fame.
The program casts a spotlight on the industry’s top drivers for their outstanding service and safety records. The group includes drivers representing top foodservice companies like Dot Transportation, McLane Foodservice, Sysco, and U.S. Foods, among others. And three of those drivers have more than 40 years of service: Thomas Bonarirgo, Sysco Chicago (43), Ronald Holtrop, Sysco Grand Rapids (41), and Ronnie McElfresh, Sysco West Texas (46).
“Given the current driver shortages and supply chain disruptions, it’s an honor to acknowledge these professional truck drivers who are quite literally driving the economy,” said Mark S. Allen, president and CEO of IFDA. “The IFDA Hall of Fame provides a permanent recognition of the skills and dedication these drivers bring to their profession, enabling our member companies to safely and efficiently deliver food and supplies to professional kitchens across the country.”
More than 130,000 foodservice distribution drivers are currently on the road, but only those with the best safety records and longevity of service qualify for the IFDA Truck Driver Hall of Fame, the association said. To be eligible, drivers must have at least 25 years of employment with an IFDA member company with no chargeable accidents during that timeframe and may not have any moving violations within the last five years.
The 2022 class will be honored at IFDA’s Distribution Solutions Conference (DSC), which is scheduled for Sept. 14-16 in Tampa, Fla.
