Five Good Things: Drivers and fleets making a difference in their communities

TCA unveils the 2025 TCA Highway Angels of the Year

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently named Terry Walde of Searcy Trucking, Deshown Moye of Melton Truck Lines, and Heather Barkey of Nussbaum Transportation as the 2025 TCA Highway Angels of the Year.

The three drivers will be formally recognized during an awards luncheon on March 2, held in conjunction with TCA’s Annual Convention in Orlando.

Here are the stories of the 2025 TCA Highway Angels of the Year:

Terry Walde was traveling eastbound on Highway 1 in Saskatchewan on May 27, 2025, when he discovered an injured cyclist who had been struck by a semi-truck in a hit-and-run accident. Walde stopped to render aid and communicated critical injury details to emergency responders. Walde directed vehicles around the scene for several hours until authorities arrived. Dashcam footage provided by Searcy Trucking later helped law enforcement apprehend and charge the responsible driver. 

Deshown Moye was driving through Alabama on April 28, 2025, when he encountered the aftermath of a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 65. A small sedan had been pushed beneath a tractor-trailer, leaving its driver injured and trapped inside. Moye stopped, assessed the scene for hazards, and called 911 before rushing to assist the injured woman. Moye stabilized her injuries and remained by her side for nearly 45 minutes until emergency responders arrived. 

Heather Barkey was nearing her terminal in Mount Vernon, Illinois, on June 18, 2025, when she noticed a truck that had rolled over along the roadway. Barkey pulled over, activated her hazard lights, and called 911. The overturned truck was smoking and leaking fuel, and the driver was trapped inside. Barkey broke the window, enabling the driver to escape. She remained on the scene until law enforcement arrived and confirmed the driver was safe. 

Each of the 2025 Highway Angels of the Year will receive an EpicVue satellite TV package, including a 24-inch television, DVR, and a one-year subscription to DIRECTV programming.

Kenworth T880S concrete mixer truck produces $245,000 donation to support the CIM education program

A Kenworth T880S concrete mixer, donated for sale in support of Concrete Industry Management (CIM), produced a major financial contribution to the CIM education program, thanks to Kenworth, Revolution Concrete Mixers, Papé Kenworth, and other Kenworth supplier partners.

This year marks the seventh time Kenworth has partnered with industry suppliers and Kenworth dealers to donate a Kenworth truck for sale to benefit CIM.

The Kenworth T880S concrete mixer truck was purchased by JLC Ready Mix, based in Lincoln, California, for $245,000. The entire purchase amount was donated to CIM to help fund scholarships for students pursuing four-year Bachelor of Science degrees in Concrete Industry Management at Middle Tennessee State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Texas State University, California State University—Chico, and South Dakota State University.

“The Kenworth T880S is a valuable addition to our operation, enhancing both performance and reliability,” Mike Webb, JLC Ready Mix president, stated. “We’re proud that this purchase also supports the CIM program and the students preparing to lead the concrete industry into the future.”

The Kenworth T880S is powered by a Paccar MX-13 engine and is equipped with a 10.5-yard Revolution Bridgemaster mixer. Other contributing suppliers include Allison Transmission, Cummins Drivetrain and Braking Systems, Hendrickson, and Goodyear.

“Supporting education is critical to developing the next generation of leaders in the concrete and construction industries, and we’re proud to continue our long-standing support of the CIM program,” Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing, stated. “We also extend our sincere thanks to JLC Ready Mix for purchasing this Kenworth T880S, which directly translates to meaningful support for CIM students.”

Fleet Advantage and its Kids Around The Corner Foundation celebrate year of community support in 2025

Fleet Advantage recently unveiled its 2025 calendar year-end milestones for its Kids Around The Corner (KATC) Foundation. 

Throughout 2025, KATC continued expanding its community presence, donating $307,280 to 45 nonprofit organizations, including 16 new partnerships. In addition to charitable giving, KATC strengthened its hands-on community involvement with nine in-person volunteer events throughout the year. 

As part of its holiday initiatives, Fleet Advantage employees and their families volunteered on Thanksgiving Day at the Miami Rescue Mission and Broward Outreach Centers. KATC volunteers also supported two December community initiatives: The Friendship Circle of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s inclusive holiday celebration on December 7, and the 4KIDS of South Florida Gift Store community event on December 9, helping families shop for holiday gifts at no cost.

KATC also continued its annual “Giving Back on Good Friday” event with the Miami Rescue Mission and Broward Outreach Centers in April, where volunteers assembled and delivered essential care kits and distributed Easter baskets to children throughout South Florida. This marked the program’s largest distribution since inception.

KATC made an impact on Giving Tuesday (December 2), donating to 4KIDS of South Florida. All donations made that day were matched 100% by a partner organization, effectively doubling KATC’s contributions and expanding its impact on vulnerable youth.

Beyond its local initiatives, KATC extended support to internal disaster relief. In response to Hurricane Melissa that struck Jamaica and other areas in late October, the foundation donated to the Global Empowerment Mission, covering one container of aid and assistance with operational support. Each container included 20 pallets of essential supplies, such as food, water, hygiene products, detergent, and other necessities.

“On behalf of the entire Fleet Advantage team and the KATC Committee, we are extremely proud of our accomplishments last year,” Elizabeth Gomez, director of marketing and community outreach for Fleet Advantage, stated. “Our commitment to serving the communities where we live and work remains at the core of our company culture. From providing essential school supplies to empowering young learners and supporting families in need, our employees continue to demonstrate the compassion and dedication that drive our mission forward.”

Advantage Truck Group and Worcester Railers partner on Trades & Tech Night to connect students with careers 

Nearly 200 students from career and technical education high schools and post-secondary programs in Massachusetts participated in the recent Trades & Tech Night career fair hosted by the Worcester Railers in partnership with Advantage Truck Group (ATG). 

“As the heavy-duty trucking industry faces an ongoing need for skilled professionals, events like ‘Trades and Tech Night’ allow us to inform students about career opportunities and build our talent pipeline,” Kevin Holmes, president and CEO of Advantage Truck Group, stated.

Held at the DCU Center before the Railers hockey game, the event gave students the chance to explore career options, engage in hands-on demonstrations, and meet with over a dozen organizations offering internships, apprenticeships, and full-time roles in fields from transportation, manufacturing, and building trades to waste management and utilities. 

For Mark Asamoah, a junior in the Diesel Technology program at South High Community School in Worcester, the event provided an opportunity to meet with the ATG team and make a connection.

“I’ll be starting an internship soon, so when ATG visited my school to tell us about their job opportunities and paid training programs, I knew I had to come to this event to ask questions and learn more,” Asamoah said. “It seems like a great company and what I'm looking for.”

Advantage Truck Group offers paid internships and apprenticeships with on-the-job training and classroom instruction, where participants earn professional credentials and wages that increase as their skills develop. Career paths extend beyond diesel technicians to include service advising, warehouse management, parts sales, and parts delivery drivers.

TA and TAT expand multi-state anti-trafficking efforts

TravelCenters of America (TA) is expanding its frontline anti-human trafficking training in partnership with TAT (formerly Truckers Against Trafficking), reinforcing the role truck stops and travel centers play in safeguarding freight corridors and the communities that depend on them. The Junction Briefing initiative focuses on education and awareness at sites in high-traffic areas of the country.

In 2025, TA and TAT delivered four Junction Briefings in high-traffic transport areas: Commerce City, Colorado; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Phoenix, Arizona; and Eloy, Arizona. In total, 215 frontline employees across fuel, food service, maintenance, and operations roles attended the trainings. These briefings laid the groundwork by deepening regional connections and enhancing frontline employee preparedness in some of the nation’s busiest travel corridors.

“Human trafficking has no place in our communities, and we want to use our national footprint, our people, and our partnerships to help stop it. Our collaboration with TAT enables us to equip frontline employees with the knowledge and confidence to take action when something doesn’t look right. This work is essential, and we are committed to expanding these efforts and supporting the communities we serve,” Jason Nordin, CEO of TravelCenters of America, stated.