Five Good Things: How fleets are giving back through safety, education, and veteran support programs

Truck driver named TCA Highway Angel for rescuing trapped crash victims

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) named truck driver John Patterson a TCA Highway Angel for helping crash victims. Patterson drives for Melton Truck Lines out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

On the afternoon of June 9, Patterson was en route to pick up a load from a customer in Tulsa. As he approached the entrance, the driver behind him suddenly accelerated to pass, colliding with another vehicle pulling out of the customer’s parking lot.

Patterson pulled over and ran to assist. One car had skidded into a ditch and was smoking heavily. Inside, the driver was unconscious and bleeding, with the door jammed shut. Patterson forced the door open, unfastened the seatbelt, and pulled the driver to safety.

“They were trapped; there was a little bit of blood and smoke everywhere,” said Patterson. “That’s why I got them out—because there was smoke everywhere.”

He then rushed to the second vehicle that had crashed in a ditch. Its two occupants were a trapped couple who only spoke French. Their door was also stuck, so Patterson broke a window to free them. A former U.S. Marine, Patterson carries a medical kit, which he used to render aid to the crash victims, both of whom were badly bleeding. He also contacted EMS and police. Upon their arrival, he provided a detailed account of the accident to the Tulsa officers and completed a formal report.

“Somebody was in danger, somebody was hurt—and stuck,” said Patterson. “If it were you, you’d want somebody to come help you.”

Landstar volunteer BCOs help give wings to Cecil Field Memorial

Since the U.S. involvement in World War II, approximately 142,000 Americans have been captured as prisoners of war, with more than 80,000 Americans remaining unaccounted for, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

The National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum will be the first to recognize all POW/MIA service members, with construction underway at the Cecil Commerce Center in Jacksonville, Florida. The memorial has recently taken steps to finalize the first phase of the 26-acre project. This six-year undertaking has benefited from the help of a handful of Landstar's experienced business capacity owners (BCOs) who have donated their time.

"Working with the Cecil Field POW/MIA Memorial has been a great opportunity to give back," said BCO Bill Watson. "My whole family comes from a military background, and one of them has been in every war this country has ever fought. It's something I felt a calling to do."

Watson and fellow Landstar BCO Billy Dorbie, who is also involved in the project, most recently transported the S-3B Viking, an anti-submarine jet aircraft nicknamed the "War Hoover," from the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, to the former Naval Air Station Cecil Field Master Jet Base (1941-1999), now known as Cecil Commerce Center and airport. The 14-ton aircraft took three separate hauls to get it to the landing pads, where it's currently being reassembled. As part of the project’s first phase, the plane is one of four aircraft to be displayed at Heritage Plaza and will represent those that once flew from Cecil Field.

Dorbie, who has experience hauling helicopters, planes, and flight simulators, was involved in transporting the final 10-foot fuselage of the S-3B Viking, which he said he was honored to have a hand in. "Opportunities like this are why I've been with Landstar so long," Dorbie said. "I feel good about having been able to support our military."

"The dedication shown by our volunteer BCOs and agents and the pride Landstar consistently takes in supporting our military and veterans makes me especially proud to be a part of this great team," said Mike Cashner, Landstar Transportation Logistics vice president of government services, who has been involved since the project’s inception.

UAF awards scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year

The University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) has awarded 368 scholarships totaling more than $700,000 for the current 2025-26 school year. A list of the scholarship recipients can be found at AutomotiveScholarships.com/scholarship-alumni.

Those students awarded scholarships are attending a two-year or four-year college or university or an accredited automotive vocational program. While the majority of the students are studying to become mechanical, collision, or heavy-duty repair professionals, others are pursuing degrees in such fields as engineering, business, supply chain, and IT/cybersecurity that can lead to a career in the aftermarket.

In addition to the 368 scholarships funded by UAF and its donors, UAF assisted several industry organizations, including state associations and Women in Auto Care, in administering more than 100 additional scholarships.

“We would not be able to award so many scholarships without the generosity of those who contribute their time and resources to UAF, including Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers,” said Mike Buzzard, AAP, UAF scholarship committee chairman. “Their ongoing support is essential to ensure that students who have demonstrated academic and work achievements are able to earn scholarships and begin their journey in the aftermarket through education.”

Holt Truck Centers donates five trucks to advance diesel tech education

Holt Truck Centers recently donated five heavy-duty trucks to promote diesel technician training at three schools in Oklahoma.

The donation includes two trucks each for Francis Tuttle Technology Center and the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, and one truck for Tulsa Tech. Each truck weighs more than 50,000 pounds and is equipped with advanced systems that aim to help students bridge the gap between theory and practice.

“We are proud to support programs that are shaping the future of our skilled trades workforce,” said Robert Fulgium, SVP of Holt Truck Centers. “At Holt Truck Centers, we recognize the critical importance of providing students with access to industry-standard equipment, ensuring they graduate job-ready and confident in their abilities. Training on the latest tools and technologies will give students a competitive edge as they transition into the workforce.”

The trucks will be used across several training programs to enhance hands-on learning in the diesel industry. They will combine classroom instruction with evolving technologies like hybrid and electric systems, help meet rising student interest, and provide practical experience for students training to become diesel technicians.

Finalists announced for 2025 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award

Finalists for the 10th annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award were recently announced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program, Kenworth, and Fastport. This award celebrates military veterans who have transitioned into professional truck driving careers. Following a nomination and review process and culminating with a final public vote, the program will honor and reward America’s top rookie military veteran drivers.

In Ohio last week, 12 semi-finalists were guests at a reception held at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. The following day, the Kenworth truck manufacturing plant in Chillicothe hosted the event, where finalists were announced. The visit included live appearances with Radio Nemo’s Jimmy Mac and Lindsay Lawler on the Road Gang Radio show, and a behind-the-scenes tour of Kenworth’s flagship manufacturing facility.

Finalists for 2025 are summarized below in alphabetical order by last name:

• Nicholas Baughan, U.S. Army (E-5) and Army Reserve, Werner Enterprises
  • Baughan, from Nunica, Michigan, is a decorated U.S. Army veteran who has served since 2004. Beginning his career as a military police officer, he later transitioned to the Infantry and deployed multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond, earning numerous awards, including the Purple Heart. With over two decades of service, Nicholas held roles from team leader to senior intelligence sergeant, with assignments across Europe and South Korea. He is currently preparing to retire from the U.S. Army Reserve in January 2026.
• Charles Jones Jr., U.S. Army (E-7), Roehl Transport
  • Sergeant First Class Charles C. Jones Jr. graduated from high school in Indian Trail, North Carolina, in 2004 and committed to the Army through the Delayed Entry Program. With over 20 years of service, he served as an unmanned aircraft systems operator, instructor operator, standards operator, and platoon sergeant, completing three combat deployments to Iraq and two rotations to South Korea. Charles graduated from Georgia Driving Academy in December 2024 and began his driving career with Roehl Transport in early 2025.
• Macy Mattice, U.S. Army (E-4), Melton Truck Lines
  • Macy Mattice is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 2010 to 2018 as an 88M motor transport operator, specializing in heavy equipment transportation. Today, she is a flatbed driver for Melton Truck Lines, where she applies the discipline and determination gained from military service.
• Mark Scriven, U.S. Army (E-6), Stevens Transport
  • Mark Scriven, a U.S. Army veteran and former staff sergeant, served nine years as a patriot missile operator/maintainer, earning multiple Army achievement medals and recognition as a combat lifesaver. Today, he brings the same dedication, discipline, and leadership he obtained in the military to his career as a professional truck driver and trainer with Stevens Transport.

Kenworth will provide the grand prize for the tenth consecutive year. This year’s award is a T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission, and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles. The runner-up will receive a $10,000 award, and remaining finalists will each receive a $5,000 prize.

“Kenworth is proud to partner with Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for the tenth year to honor and recognize the distinguished semi-finalist drivers who exemplify excellence behind the wheel,” said Kyle Kimball, Kenworth’s director of marketing. “Celebrating the accomplishments of this elite group is a special honor each year, and we look forward to awarding the keys to the grand prize Kenworth T680 truck to this year’s winner in Washington D.C.”

Public voting for the award will be held from November 1 through Veterans Day, November 11. The final winner will be revealed on December 12 during a special event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.