The Arkansas Trucking Association has named Mary and Joe Hester of Cullman Alabama as the organization?s top truck drivers of 2005. The statewide trucking lobby traditionally selects one truck driver as a driver of the year for his or her outstanding safety record and professionalism.

Drivers are nominated by their employers. This award marked the first time that the Arkansas association has presented the award to a driver team in this case a married couple. The Hesters have operated as a driver team since 1992 and have worked for CalArk for the last 8 years. CalArk International is a long-haul trucking company headquartered in Little Rock AR which made the couple eligible to receive the Arkansas award.

?We are so proud of the courteous dependable professional image that the Hesters bring to our company and to our entire industry? said Rochelle Gorman CalArk?s president. ?We highly value their dedication and their contribution to our success.?

In nominating the Hesters for this award CalArk International noted that the couple has driven more than 3.2 million miles without a chargeable accident and have stopped to assist stranded motorists and accident victims numerous times.