Kenworth, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative recently named the 10 semifinalists for the 2024 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award.
Launched in 2016 to recognize the achievements of veterans transitioning into the transportation industry, this year’s program semifinalists represent multiple branches of the United States military, including National Guard and Reserve components.
“This year’s group of ‘Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award’ semifinalists are inspiring examples of accomplished military veterans who are making a successful transition into the trucking industry,” Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing, said in a news release. “Kenworth is honored to mark our ninth year of participation in the program with Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative.
“I look forward to meeting all the esteemed semifinalists this fall and presenting the T680 keys to a deserving veteran in Washington D.C. at the end of the year.”
This year’s semifinalists are:
- Jadarion Blakemore, U.S. Army (E-5), CRST-The Transportation Solution (Trained by Troops Into Transportation)
- Quantae Dozier, U.S. Army (E-4), Epes Transport System (Trained by Troops Into Transportation)
- Richard Flirt III, U.S. Navy (E-4), Legacy Express (Trained by Fox Valley Technical College)
- Brian Ferguson, U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard (E-7), Melton Truck Lines (Trained by Troops Into Transportation)
- Justin Sisler, U.S. Marine Corps (E-2), Prime Inc. (Trained by Roadmaster Drivers School)
- Douglas Couch, U.S. Navy (E-5), Roehl Transport
- Mark Joseph, U.S. Navy and U.S. Army National Guard (O-3), Stevens Transport (Trained by Troops Into Transportation)
- Cory Troxwell, U.S. Army (E-7), Stevens Transport (Trained by Phoenix Truck Driving Institute)
- Shawn Haley, U.S. Marine Corps (E-4), Veriha Trucking (Truck Driver Institute)
- William Taylor, U.S. Coast Guard (E-7), Werner Enterprises (Trained by Roadmaster Drivers School)
The grand prize is a Kenworth T680 truck equipped with a 76-in. sleeper and the Paccar powertrain featuring the MX-13 engine rated at 455 horsepower, TX-12 automated transmission and DX-40 tandem rear axles.
The T680 features a Diamond VIT interior in slate gray with madrona accents and includes the latest in driver amenities. Both the driver and passenger seats are GT703 leather seats that are fully heated and cooled. The sleeper berth includes space for a microwave and TV, a factory-installed fridge, and a rotating work table. The truck also includes the latest in driver assistance systems, including Kenworth’s Digital Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Auto Go, and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering.
As part of the ninth annual award program, each semi-finalist will attend a ceremony at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum on Sept. 25 in Columbus, Ohio. The following day will include a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant, where semifinalists will be recognized and finalists will be announced.
“The Transition Trucking award campaign highlights the impact veterans are making in the transportation industry and introduces a new generation of veterans to the real economic opportunity a career in trucking can represent,” said Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes and a vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Finalists and the ultimate winner will be part of an expanded veteran-focused week that includes a Veteran-Ready Summit set for Dec. 11-14.
A public vote will occur online from Nov. 1 until Veteran’s Day. This voting is an important determiner for the award’s selection committee, which makes the ultimate choice for the next Transition Trucking award winner.
“We are immensely proud to recognize this diverse group in the program’s history, including a large number of drivers in registered apprenticeship programs," said Brad Bentley, president of Fastport. “These remarkable drivers assure us that the future of this industry is in excellent hands, and we look forward to saluting the heroes who navigate the highways of opportunity that trucking offers.”