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Freightliner Corp. is the “800-pound gorilla” of trucking in the United States — and its president, James Hebe, seems to relish the role.

After a three-month search, United Road Services named Gerald R. Riordan, the former head of Ryder System’s consumer truck rental business, to be its new chief executive officer.

It was a momentous week for trucking. The National Motor Carrier Administration is on the brink of being a reality, thanks to overwhelming support of the House of Representatives. The House passed the enabling bill by a 415-5 vote Oct. 14.

I’ll never forget the first time I met William S. Odlin Jr., longtime editor of Transport Topics, who died Oct. 5 of cancer. He cast a giant shadow during his 26 years on the paper, not only with his towering physical statue, but with his eminent character of spirit — which, when it touched your heart, indelibly stamped a legacy of imperishable memories to cherish for a lifetime.

A minor accident seven years ago taught Overnite driver Tommie Hawks a valuable lesson, and it paid off last week when he was named Driver of the Year by the Safety Management Council.

The safest trucking operations seem to have intertwining dimensions of driver, machine and management, judging by the success of Viking Freight and Pitt-Ohio Express.

Chris Licht, director of safety and training for Anderson Trucking Service in St. Cloud, Minn., is American Trucking Associations’ 1998 Safety Director of the Year.

After a three-month search, United Road Services named Gerald R. Riordan, the former head of Ryder System’s consumer truck rental business, to be its new chief executive officer.

In the news this morning: House votes to limit Mexican trucks on U.S. roads; Arkansas Best reports record net income for shareholders; and Forward Air purchases LTD Express.