Five Good Things: Schneider, Saia, Ryder, Kenworth, and TCA recognize trucking excellence

U.S. Air Force veteran named newest Schneider Ride of Pride driver

Schneider National recently revealed that company driver Greg Smith, a U.S. Air Force veteran, has been selected as this year’s Schneider Ride of Pride driver. 

Recognizing military veterans is a longstanding tradition at the carrier. Ride of Pride is an annual initiative started by Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) to honor military service and sacrifice. Daimler’s Cleveland, North Carolina, manufacturing plant produces specially decorated Freightliner Cascadia trucks that serve as rolling tributes across the country. Since the program began in 2001, Schneider has received 15 Ride of Pride trucks from Freightliner.

Smith received his new truck and has already represented Schneider at an event in Washington, D.C. This year’s truck honors all those affected by the events of Sept. 11, 2001, serving as a tribute to their memory and the sacrifice that followed. 

“In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would be selected to drive a Ride of Pride truck,” Smith said. “Schneider has been given a great responsibility to honor all those affected by September 11, our military, the civilians who lost their lives that day, the surviving family members, firefighters, police officers, and our nation.” 

Smith served more than 21 years in the U.S. Air Force before transitioning to a career as a truck driver. He joined Schneider in 2017, where he hauls on a dedicated account and is a driver instructor. During his military career, Smith held a variety of leadership roles, including serving as a first sergeant responsible for more than 500 airmen, and he spent years supporting military honors programs that left a lasting impact on him. Smith said Schneider’s strong alignment with military values helped make the transition to civilian life easier. 

Smith will participate in major events across the country, including Wreaths Across America, Fourth of July celebrations, and observances tied to the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, using the truck as a platform to connect with survivors, first responders, veterans, Gold Star families, and communities nationwide.

Kenworth Chillicothe plant hosts fifth annual Kenworth Truck Parade

The Kenworth truck assembly plant in Chillicothe, Ohio, recently held the fifth annual Kenworth Truck Parade in downtown Chillicothe. This year’s parade embraced the theme “American Owned, American Made,” celebrating the pride, craftsmanship, and heritage that define both Kenworth trucks built in Chillicothe and America’s 250th anniversary.

The 2026 Kenworth Truck Parade brought together more than 50 new, classic, and customized Kenworth trucks from across the U.S. Featured trucks represented generations of Kenworth history, from vintage models to modern trucks manufactured at the Chillicothe plant today. Patriotic displays and red, white, and blue branding highlighted this year’s event as drivers and community members celebrated America’s trucking tradition.

As part of Kenworth’s tribute to the nation’s 250th birthday, one of the leading trucks in the parade debuted a special‑edition paint scheme created for the Freedom 250 initiative. Inspired by the iconic mid‑1990s TourAmerica T600 design, the refreshed look blends classic heritage with modern production. The commemorative scheme is now available on Kenworth T680, W900L, W990, and T880 sleeper models, offering customers a way to celebrate trucking history during this national milestone.

“The Kenworth Truck Parade continues to be a special tradition for both the Chillicothe community and Kenworth enthusiasts from across the country,” Doug VanZuiden, Kenworth Chillicothe plant manager, said. “This year’s ‘American Owned, American Made’ theme was a fitting way to celebrate the people who build, drive, and support Kenworth trucks while honoring America’s 250th anniversary.”

Leading up to the truck parade, the Kenworth Chillicothe plant hosted events for participating drivers and their families. Drivers had the opportunity to tour the Kenworth Chillicothe plant. The plant also hosted an employee family event on the plant grounds on the day of the parade. 

To support the local community, the Kenworth Chillicothe plant and the United Way of Ross County once again partnered to coordinate a 50/50 raffle, with proceeds benefiting the United Way of Ross County. Members of the organization sold raffle tickets throughout the event and coordinated sponsorships within the VIP viewing area along the parade route. In total, more than $58,500 was raised for the United Way of Ross County.

Saia recognizes thousands of employees for safety milestones

Saia recently honored 8,500 Saia dockworkers, mechanics, city drivers, and line drivers for achieving safety milestones. It also recognized several employees who reached notable service accomplishments, including a group with more than four decades of safe work.

“These achievements reflect the collective dedication of our employees, and I want to extend my congratulations to all recipients,” Fritz Holzgrefe, president and CEO of Saia, said. “Each individual should take pride in their accomplishments. Saia’s reputation is built on the dedication to service and safety demonstrated by its employees.”

This year, more than 2,500 dockworkers and mechanics received a Safe Work Award, collectively contributing nearly 16,000 years of injury-free service. These awards recognize employees who demonstrate operational excellence and prioritize safety protocols in every aspect of their work.

Saia honored employees across a range of service milestones, including three individuals who have achieved more than 40 years of safe work without a recordable incident:

Standout recipients included:

• New Orleans, Louisiana, Mechanic Darryl Gay
• Houma, Louisiana, Lead Dockworker Harold Castell Jr.
• Lafayette, Louisiana, Lead Mechanic Lawrence Benoit

Saia also honored nearly 6,000 city and line drivers with a Safe Drive Award, recognizing a remarkable total of 42,000 years of accident-free driving. Drivers were celebrated for reaching critical safety milestones ranging from one year to more than 40 years without a preventable accident.

This year, eight drivers were recognized for achieving more than 40 years of safe driving, an exceptional accomplishment within the transportation industry:

• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Line Driver Michael Shumake
• Dallas, Texas, Line Driver Jack Ikey
• Jacksonville, Florida, Line Driver Charles Layman
• Hattiesburg, Mississippi Line Driver Frank Lee III
• New Orleans, Louisiana, City Driver Joseph Dominguez, Jr.
• Las Vegas, Nevada, Line Driver Roy Coleman
• Omaha, Nebraska, City Driver Michael Nore
• Fort Smith, Arkansas, Line Driver Jody Franks

Crawford Trucking driver Mike Nelson recognized as a TCA Highway Angel for assisting stranded motorists

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named Crawford Trucking driver Mike Nelson a Highway Angel for his kindness and assistance to stranded motorists in California.

On May 21, Nelson was traveling through California after making a delivery when he stopped at a rest area along Interstate 40. There, he noticed a family whose daughter’s vehicle had broken down after overheating while traveling from Los Angeles to New York.

Nelson initially stopped to see if he could help diagnose the problem. After returning to his truck, however, he found himself thinking about the stranded travelers.

“Afterward, I went back to my truck and was starting to eat supper, and it was weighing real heavy on me,” Nelson recalled. “The Lord was speaking to me and told me to go back and check on them, see if they needed any food or water or anything.”

When he returned, Nelson learned the family had been waiting for a tow truck and had run out of food and water.

“So I went back to my truck and got some snacks and some water,” he said. “They had called the tow truck, but it hadn’t come yet, and they were out of food and water. They didn’t have anything.”

Nelson shared his supplies and stayed with the family until help arrived. His actions left an impression on motorist Scott Morrison, who later submitted a nomination to TCA praising Nelson’s compassion.

“Thank you,” Morrison wrote. “I’m not sure if Mike works for you, but if he does, he was very kind to us when our car broke down in California. He made sure we had water and any other necessities while we waited for AAA. His kindness was very appreciated.”

Nelson, who has been driving professionally since the mid-1990s, was humbled by the recognition.

“I certainly wasn’t expecting it,” he said. “I was just thankful that, you know, you show a little kindness when somebody’s having some trouble.”

Ryder names 54th annual Drivers of the Year

Ryder System recently revealed the winners of its 54th annual Driver of the Year award, recognizing three drivers for their commitment to excellence in safety, customer service, and leadership.

The honorees—Tamara “Tammy” Land, Robert Deroy, and Terry Frey—bring decades of combined experience and millions of safe miles to the road. Each has earned a reputation for excellence behind the wheel and for the positive impact they make on customers, teammates, and the communities they serve. As part of this honor, all three drivers are inducted into the Ryder Driver Hall of Fame.

“Ryder professional drivers do far more than deliver freight.They set the standard for how our company shows up every day,” Ryder CEO John Diez said. “Tammy, Robert, and Terry embody what it means to lead with professionalism, put safety first, and take pride in serving others. Their dedication reflects the strength of our culture and the trust our customers place in Ryder.”

Based in Waterloo, Iowa, Tammy Land is Ryder’s Supply Chain Solutions Driver of the Year, bringing more than 32 years of professional driving experience, including five years with Ryder. Over her career, she has logged more than 2.2 million miles, including 415,000 miles driven with Ryder, while maintaining an exceptional safety record.

Supporting a Ryder customer out of West Palm Beach, Florida, Robert Deroy is the Dedicated Transportation Solutions Driver of the Year, bringing 25 years of professional driving experience, including 15 years with Ryder. Since joining the company in 2010, Deroy has logged nearly 1.3 million miles with Ryder and nearly 2.2 million miles over his career, distinguishing himself as a leader in safety, training, and operational excellence.

Operating out of Conestoga, Pennsylvania, Terry Frey is the recipient of Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions Driver of the Year award, which recognizes customer drivers who go above and beyond to keep roads safe while operating Ryder vehicles. Frey brings 34 years of professional driving experience, including more than 26 years supporting a Ryder‑managed fleet for Turkey Hill Dairy. Over his career, he has logged nearly 2.5 million miles, including more than 2 million miles with Turkey Hill Dairy.