It was a bright and sunny day in Laredo, TX on May 28th for the renaming of the Laredo Travel Centers of America (TA) Petro Travel Center. It is now the Henry Albert Travel Center. The TA Petro staff was very welcoming and proud to have been picked by Henry after winning the 2014 Citizen Driver Award. They literally rolled out the red carpet to recognize someone very deserving. TA sponsored the Citizen Driver award to spotlight the thousands of professional truck drivers who make our economy go and the outstanding individuals who make up their ranks. As part of the recognition the drivers receive along with the award, is getting a travel center permanently renamed after them in their honor.
Choosing the Laredo location was easy for Henry as he stops there almost every week for breakfast and is served by his favorite waitress, Rae Rae. Rae Rae was nominated for waitress of the year by TA. The new Henry Albert Travel Center is located about 13 miles north of the Mexico/U.S. border off of Interstate 35. The ceremony lasted about 30 minutes and concluded with a wonderful meal and celebration prepared by the TA staff. Peter Ward, Senior Vice President for TA, spoke about the struggles and importance of professional drivers in the trucking industry. Henry Albert was humbled by this award and spoke highly of his fellow Citizen Award winners. His passion and love for the trucking industry showed through as he fought back tears. In the crowd were many supporters and fans of Henry. Local Freightliner dealer personnel were present, along with Daimler Trucks employees, TA staff and other fellow drivers Henry has touched along his journey.
Henry Albert is the owner of Albert Transport, Inc., based in Statesville, NC. Before participating in the "Slice of Life" program (now Team Run Smart), Albert drove a 2001 Freightliner Century Class S/T™, and uses his Freightliner Cascadia Evolution for general freight and a dry van trailer. Albert, who has been a trucker since 1983, was recognized by Overdrive as its 2007 Trucker of the Year. Henry Albert is involved in numerous industry and volunteer organizations including; Team Run Smart, Trucker Buddy, Trucking Solutions Group and the Make a Wish foundation. Henry grew up tinkering and racing almost any machine he could get his hands on. His passion and fuel for racing carried forward into a passion for excellence as his entered the trucking industry. He continues to have endless energy to fuel his desire to help fellow truckers along their journey. He also continues to find ways to improve his business model, which he gladly shares with those willing to listen.
Find more photos of Henry's Sign Unveiling and Luncheon on the Team Run Smart facebook page.