PTSI becomes platinum sponsor, Shuffield to captain pro angling team
Bismarck, Ark., pro set to compete on Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series
MINNEAPOLIS – FLW Outdoors announced today that PAM Transportation Services (PTSI), has enhanced its sponsorship with the world’s premier tournament-fishing organization to include all 12 circuits. In addition, angling legend Ron Shuffield will represent PTSI on its professional angling team. During the 2007 season, Shuffield will compete on the two most competitive trails in professional bass fishing from a PTSI-branded Ranger boat powered by a Yamaha outboard.
In 2006 FLW Outdoors announced that PTSI, the leader in transportation and logistic solutions, signed on as the organization’s official transportation sponsor. After seeing the growth and popularity of the saltwater side, it was no surprise that PTSI sought to expand the partnership. PTSI is responsible for transporting the FLW Outdoors Family Fun Zone and related equipment to various FLW Outdoors events using specially wrapped trailers with matching tractors.
With career earnings of over $1 million, Shuffield is one of the greatest anglers ever to pick up a rod and reel. Residing in Bismarck, Ark., Shuffield is a power fisherman by trade. The 21-year veteran has notched seven victories to date, his most recent coming at the Bassmaster Arkansas Tour event held on Lake Hamilton in 2003. In February 2006, Shuffield finished third in the Bassmaster Classic on Lake Toho, just 8 pounds behind the winner, Chevy pro Luke Clausen. In 2007 Shuffield plans to fish full time on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour as well as the BP Eastern Division of the Wal-Mart FLW Series. Joining him on tour will be his 17-year-old son Spencer, who will compete in the Co-angler Division.
Shuffield said the partnership with PTSI was a natural fit, so natural in fact that Shuffield characterized it as ironic. Before the two parties met, Shuffield had already enrolled in classes at the Mid-America Truck Driving School in Malvern, Ark., with the intention of getting his commercial driver’s license. When he’s not fishing tournaments, Shuffield said he intends to drive trucks. His main sponsorship duties will include assisting in driver recruitment and increasing public awareness of PTSI and the transportation industry as a whole.
“I’ve always had an interest in the trucking industry,” he said. “It’s one of the fastest-growing industries in America. When you think about it, 95 percent of everything we touch has arrived by way of a truck. The trucking industry is not going anywhere. PAM really recognizes the value of their employees. They realize their drivers are their greatest assets.”
The 2006 tournament season was Shuffield’s first with FLW Outdoors.
“It has been a tremendous learning experience. I can honestly say that the toughest fishermen in the world are competing on the FLW Tour. I like that though. I’m a competitive person, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge. The one thing I see about FLW Outdoors is that they provide opportunities for fishermen around the country to compete in the sport they love with good paybacks and reasonable entry fees.”
Shuffield starts classes shortly and will be busy at the driving academy until the season-opening FLW Series event on Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Fla.
“PTSI’s decision to increase our sponsorship is a direct reflection of our experience with FLW Outdoors,” said PTSI CEO Bob Weaver. “We feel FLW Outdoors is an organization that is in touch with real people, and that FLW programs can be related to by anyone who enjoys the outdoors. The addition of Ron Shuffield as our representative furthers our commitment to this wonderful program. The combination of Ron’s vast experience in tournament fishing and the skills learned as a professional truck driver in the off-season create the perfect ambassador to represent PTSI and professional truck drivers everywhere.”
Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Tontitown, Ark., PTSI is a transportation holding company whose transportation and logistics brands include: Allen Freight Services, Choctaw Express, Decker Transport Co., East Coast Transport & Logistics, PAM Transport and PAM Dedicated Services. By combining the strengths of these companies, PTSI is able to provide nationwide dry van truckload, intermodal and logistics services to the manufacturing, retail and automotive industries. PTSI provides direct service into the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec and serves Mexico through marketing agreements.
Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail presented by Abu Garcia, Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. These circuits will offer combined purses exceeding $43 million through 238 events in 2007.
Wal-Mart and many of America’s largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world’s leading supporter of tournament fishing. For more information about Wal-Mart, visit Wal-Mart.com.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, browse FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.