The 8th annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award finalists were announced by Fastport during a ceremony held in Chillicothe, OH. This award program is dedicated to recognizing America’s top rookie military veteran driver who have successfully transitioned from active duty to driving for a commercial fleet. The finalists were chosen through a rigorous nomination, selection committee, and public voting process.
All 17 semi-finalists were honored as the top emerging talent in the trucking industry and received a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant, visited the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, and appeared on the Dave Nemo Show with Jimmy Mac on Road Dog Trucking Radio live from the MHC RoadReady Center in Chillicothe.
The 2023 finalists, listed alphabetically by last name, are Todd Kraus from Werner Enterprises, Brandon Meredith from Slay Transport, Ondrae Meyers from CRST, Jessica White from Stevens Transport, and LaTravis Wilcox from Prime, Inc.
This year’s award is the T680 Signature Edition truck, in recognition of Kenworth’s 100th anniversary. It is equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine rated at 455 horsepower, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles. The first runner-up will receive a $10,000 prize, and the remaining finalists will receive $5,000 each.
“It was an honor to meet and recognize the 17 driver semi-finalists in Columbus and host them at our Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant where the grand prize T680 Signature Edition truck was made,” said Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing. “Kenworth is proud to participate in the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program, and we look forward to awarding the T680 to this year’s winner, a deserving veteran entering the trucking industry.”
“The five finalists for the 2023 Transition Trucking award have drawn on the skills they developed in the military and quickly translated those skills into success in an industry that allows them to play a vital role for American businesses,” said Eric Eversole, a Vice President at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and President of Hiring Our Heroes.
“Each of our semi-finalists are accomplished Veterans driving positive change as professional truck drivers, and this is especially true for the finalists representing their newly adopted industry. Moving past military-friendly, this Veteran-ready industry is providing a key avenue to bring in a great new generation of trucking talent like these inspiring individuals,” said Brad Bentley, FASTPORT President.
An online popular vote will be held from November 1st to Veteran’s Day on November 11th. The Selection Committee will determine the winner, which will then be announced on December 15th at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce located in Washington, D.C. For further details, please visit transitiontrucking.org.
