Special to The Signal

Recordo Jackson of Burkville and a driver for Charles G. Lawson Trucking in Montgomery was tapped the Alabama Trucking Association’s 2011 Driver of the Year recently at the ATA Safety & Maintenance Management Council’s Fleet Safety Awards.

According to his supervisor, Debbie Henderson, Lawson Trucking fleet safety director, Jackson has worked in the trucking for more than 35 years — 23 with Lawson.

“He has one of the most intense jobs today as a professional driver pulling a food grade, non-baffled tanker,” Henderson wrote in her nomination letter for Jackson. “Not only is the equipment a task, but he is responsible for the food product safety also.”

She said has received numerous awards from his us over the years, and recently received a 23-year safe driving and loss prevention award from Great West Casualty Company.

Jackson has participated in ATA’s annual Truck Driving Championships several times, placing fifth in 2007, fourth in 2008, and third in 2010 in the tanker division. He also placed fifth for Driver of the Year in 2009.

He has been married to Beatrice for 20 years and has three children, Recordo Jr., Pierre and Rachel.

When asked how he got into truck driving for a career, Jackson said, “My first connection with the trucking business began at the age of 10 when I worked with Allen Taylor where the big trucks would come in with cattle. I loved seeing the big trucks and I fell in love with them then and still love them.”

When asked how it feels to be Driver of the Year for 2011, Jackson said, “I feel very honored to have won this award. It means a whole lot to me.”

Jackson said the funniest thing that ever happened to him was when he was unloading and a hose burst and he got a yeast bath. He said he had to ride home “wet and sticky from the rising yeast.”

Jackson said his advice to young drivers is to “manage time and maintain patience.”

He is a member of Beulah Primitive Baptist Church where he serves as trustee, usher and sings in the male choir.

“He is and has always been loyal and takes special care of our customers,” Henderson said.” He is an exceptional driver and deserves to be recognized for his years of dedication to the trucking industry.”

This story from “Alabama Trucker” is published with permission from Ford Boswell, communications manager for the Alabama Trucking Association with additional information contributed by Signal Staff Writer Fred Guarino.