Five Good Things: Fleet heroes, donations, and industry milestones brighten 2026 start
Charles Jones, Jr. of Roehl Transport awarded Kenworth T680 Truck in Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program
For the 10th consecutive year, Kenworth teamed with Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program to honor America’s top rookie military veteran driver who made a successful transition into a career in trucking. This year, U.S. Army veteran Charles Jones Jr. was named the 2025 “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award winner during a ceremony held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
In his more than 20 years of service, Jones completed three combat deployments to Iraq and two rotations to South Korea. Jones graduated from Georgia Driving Academy one year ago this month. Shortly thereafter, he began his professional driving career with Roehl Transport, where he became known for his reliability, humor, dedication, and strong leadership.
As the program’s 2025 winner, Jones was awarded a Kenworth T680, equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and a Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine (455 horsepower), Paccar TX-12 automated transmission, and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles. The truck features the latest driver-assistance systems and interior amenities.
“Receiving this Kenworth truck is truly life-changing,” said Jones. “The military taught me discipline, resilience, and pride in every mission—and those same values have carried me into my career. This award allows me to build a future I once only hoped was possible. I am deeply grateful to Roehl, to my instructors, and to every veteran who has supported me along the way.”
Buckeye Risk Services donates toy trucks to Akron Children's Hospital
Buckeye Risk Services, a provider of specialty insurance solutions for the automotive and trucking industries, donated more than 100 toy trucks to Akron Children's Hospital to help brighten the holidays for children in the hospital.
"A toy truck is more than just a gift—it represents imagination, resilience, and a sense of normalcy during a difficult time," said Rob Fox, CEO of Buckeye Risk Services. "As a company rooted in transportation and service, we're honored to bring a little happiness to these kids and their families when they need it most."
Headquartered in nearby Poland, the Buckeye Risk Services team members personally delivered the toy trucks to Akron Children's Hospital. The visit reflected the company's belief that corporate success should be shared through hands-on community involvement and purposeful giving.
The Women In Trucking Association seeks 2026 Driver of the Year nominations
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) is accepting nominations for its 2026 Driver of the Year award, sponsored by Walmart. This annual recognition honors female professional drivers who exemplify safety, leadership, and a positive impact on the trucking industry and the communities they serve.
“Women are shaping the future of trucking,” said Jennifer Hedrick, WIT president and CEO. “This award celebrates the drivers who go above and beyond in their profession and who uplift others in the industry.”
With women representing roughly 9.5% of all professional truck drivers—according to the latest WIT Index, which tracks the percentage of women in key roles across the industry—spotlighting their contributions remains essential to advancing women's inclusion in the profession.
Last year’s Driver of the Year, Kathy Blais, says the recognition was deeply meaningful: “Every day I get behind the wheel of my car hauler, rain or shine, and do what I love. Standing on that stage to receive this award was validation—not just for me, but for every woman who has ever been told ‘this is a man’s world.’ Progress has sometimes felt slow, but seeing more women in this profession proves that change is happening.”
The winner will be selected based on her commitment to safety, community involvement, and overall contributions to enhancing the trucking profession's image. Finalists and the overall winner will be recognized during the 2026 Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 27. She will also receive a commemorative award package including a plaque, a custom ring, and additional recognition.
Nominations can be submitted online. The deadline for submissions is January 29.
The Trucking Cares Foundation donates $25,000 to fight human trafficking
The Trucking Cares Foundation recently donated $25,000 to TAT. The nonprofit organization, formerly known as Truckers Against Trafficking, is dedicated to ending human trafficking. This marks the 4th straight year TCF has contributed to TAT’s impactful work.
"We are incredibly grateful to The Trucking Cares Foundation for its steadfast commitment to supporting our work," said Esther Goetsch, executive director of TAT. "Not only does their annual contribution enable us to continue raising awareness throughout the trucking industry, but they also open new doors and use their leadership platform to inspire more people to get involved. We are genuinely thankful for true partners like them—organizations that put their resources and influence behind the causes they believe in."
Human trafficking is prevalent in all 50 states, and the number of victims in the U.S. is estimated in the hundreds of thousands.
Arpin celebrates Annual Day of Giving with a matching $100,000 donation to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank
Arpin recently partnered with WPRI Channel 12 and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to match donations up to $100,000 during the Annual Day of Giving fundraising event. This year, the event surpassed all expectations, raising $233,851—shattering previous years’ records.
The recent government shutdown impacted thousands of local families and stretched the resources of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, which serves over 89,000 people a month.
“Arpin has called Rhode Island home for over 125 years. When we learned about the cuts in SNAP benefits, we knew we had to step up and help our neighbors in need,” said Karen Bannon, director of marketing and ESG. “We reached out to WRPI Channel 12 and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and within a few hours, we launched an expanded relief effort.”
About the Author
Jenna Hume
Digital Editor
Digital Content Specialist Jenna Hume joined FleetOwner in November 2023 and previously worked as a writer in the gaming industry. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Truman State University and a master of Fine Arts degree in writing from Lindenwood University. She is currently based in Missouri.