Professional truck driver Robert Fernald of Westbrook comes from a truck-driving family. Fernald’s father, grandfather and brother have all driven trucks professionally. At 41, Fernald already has a couple decades’ worth of experience, and it has paid off.

Last month, Fernald was named one of five drivers to take home a “Citizen Driver” award from TravelCenters of America, a national truck stop company with some 200 locations that supports the trucking industry. The company also went one step further – Fernald will have one of its travel centers named after him.

The “TA” center in Willington, Conn., located at I-84, Exit 71 on Ruby Road, was permanently renamed “the Robert Fernald, Willington, CT Travel Center” this month.

The annual awards for citizen drivers were announced in March, and are decided by a panel of trucking industry experts chosen by TravelCenters. The award is designed to recognize professional drivers who evoke public respect for the truck driving profession through good citizenship, safety, community involvement, health and wellness, and leadership.

In a press release about renaming the center in Fernald’s honor, Tom O’Brien, TravelCenters president and CEO, said, “Not only has Robert had an exemplary career so far, being both a driver, ambassador and safety activist, he is the kind of person that represents the face of trucking and that everyone should be proud to know.”

Fernald, who drives for Walmart Transportation, has also accumulated other nods to his career, including truck driving competition victories, and honors for safe driving. In 21 years, he has accumulated 1.5 million accident-free miles.

Fernald lives with his family – wife Christina and three children, Daniel, Sohpia and Lillian – on Methodist Road. In his spare time, Fernald volunteers in his children’s Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops and sports teams.

The American Journal spoke with Fernald this week about his recent honor and the truck driving life.

Q: What was your reaction to the news that you’d have a large travel center named after you? Why was the Connecticut location chosen?

A: My reaction was sheer amazement. It is an honor to be publicly acknowledged for the accomplishment and public service that I have been able to take part in. The Connecticut location was chosen honestly because it is the location that I frequent the most. The location makes it a good place to stop on my way north.

Q: You were one of five drivers recognized as a “citizen driver” this year. What does this mean to you?

A: I’m still not quite sure how it feels to have been recognized as the citizen driver. It is such an honor. I understand the criteria that went into choosing the five of us but for some reason I still feel that there must be someone much more deserving than I am. I’ve learned what I’ve learned either from someone in my family, my employer, or the mentors I’ve had in my life. They are the people who have gotten me where I am.

Q: Tell me about the professional driving industry. How has it changed since you began driving?

A: A few things I can tell you is that safety on the road is constantly improving and I hope I’m doing my part to help with this. When I started in the industry I hauled local pick up and delivery freight, which basically meant I would leave Portland with multiple deliveries in the state of Maine and then try to fill my trailer back up from manufacturing facilities and bring those things back to Portland for redistribution. After about 10 years of that type of work, I noticed that a lot of days my trailer wouldn’t fill up quite so much, so there was less manufacturing happening in the state and of course that led me to my current position.

Q: One of the keys to your recent awards has been a focus on safety. How did that develop?

A: I think I have a great grasp on what safety is. When I first started driving a truck, I was taught to drive, and after about two years, I was asked by a coworker (to join) a group of drivers called the Maine Professional Drivers Association. This is where I finally became a professional truck driver. I met with a group of these drivers who kind of took me by the hand and lead me to safety.

Q: You’ve also competed in multiple Maine state truck driving competitions. What do these entail? Is there any portion of the competition that you’re best at?

A: I have five Maine State Truck Driving Championship and have represented this state in the ATA National Truck Driving Championship four times. The truck driving championship consisted of a written test on rules and regulations followed by a vehicle inspection and then finished with a driving obstacle course. I’ve been fortunate enough over the past few years to work with some of our own high school students in their truck driving class at the Westbrook Regional Vocational Center and pass on some of my knowledge.

Q: In 2013, you were the lead driver in the annual “Wreaths Across America” event, which brings wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. What was that experience like?

A: My employer affords me the opportunity to work with Wreaths Across America. I have been fortunate enough to be involved in some small part for the past six years; however, last year was the first year that I was able to deliver wreaths directly to their final destination. I delivered to 20 cemeteries, VFW halls, American Legion Posts, and funeral homes throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. This year I will be escorting the wreaths from Harrington to Arlington. The experience in the past has been almost overwhelming, seeing the people on the side of the road with pictures of loved ones, some folks in uniform and others just standing with the flag and saluting. It is one of the most amazing journeys I’ve ever taken.

Q: Tell me about a typical trip for you? How long are you on the road for? Where do you go? Where are your favorite places to go?

A: My typical work week consists of five days which I am away from home. Normally I start my week by going to New York with Poland Spring water, then work my way back toward Maine. Normally I drive around 500-600 miles per day, making two to four deliveries. I like my New York run – the scenery is beautiful and my children seem to really enjoy the atmosphere. I get to take them as often as possible and when they’re on school vacation or breaks.

Rob Fernald, right, stands with his family during a recent Maine State Truck Driving Championship event. Fernald has received multiple awards for his driving. A TravelCenters truck stop was also recently named after him. Fernald is with his wife, Christina, and three children, from left, Daniel, Sohpia and Lillian. Courtesy photo