Isuzu launches national Veterans Apprenticeship Program 

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) recently launched the Isuzu Veterans Apprenticeship Program (IVAP), a nationwide initiative designed to connect transitioning service members and military veterans with careers in the commercial transportation industry and to help Isuzu dealerships build the next generation of highly skilled technicians.

Developed with ERS Elite, a leader in veteran workforce transition and talent development, IVAP creates a structured pathway from military service to civilian success through paid employment, hands-on experience, mentorship, and OEM-aligned technical training.

"America's veterans have spent their careers serving a mission larger than themselves while developing technical expertise, discipline, leadership, and accountability," said Shaun Skinner, president of ICTA. "Through IVAP, we are creating a pathway for those skills to continue making an impact in civilian life while helping our dealer network build the next generation of highly skilled Isuzu technicians."

Through the program, veterans with technical military experience will enter a structured apprenticeship pathway that combines real-world dealership experience with Isuzu-specific training and professional development. The result is a workforce solution that benefits both veterans and Isuzu dealers—accelerating technician readiness while building long-term retention and career growth.

DMC Insurance reveals its 2026 Driver of the Year

DMC Insurance recently named Efigenio “Nick” Barboza of Covenant Logistics the 2026 DMC Driver of the Year. The award and accompanying prize package will be presented to Barboza during an appreciation event to be hosted by DMC at Barboza's home terminal this summer.

While all of the 2026 candidates were impressive, Barboza stood out for his safety record, dedication to mentoring the next generation of drivers, and commitment to serving others both on and off the road. Covenant Logistics has employed Barboza for 28 years and he has accumulated over 3.5 million miles. He has earned multiple safety and training honors throughout his career, including Covenant’s elite 120-Club recognition for achieving 3 million consecutive accident-free miles—the equivalent of driving 120 times around the Earth. Barboza has also received Covenant’s Professional Trainer of the Month honors, 2025 Professional Trainer of the Year award, and 2025 TCA Professional Driver of the Year, and has competed in multiple driving championships.

As a trainer and mentor, Barboza has trained more than 650 new students, helping them begin careers in the trucking industry. His leadership, patience, and willingness to invest in others have made him a respected role model within Covenant and throughout the industry.

That commitment to mentoring others is shaped in part by his own experience starting out. Committed to creating a better life for his family, he began pursuing a career as a professional truck driver in 1998. Covenant recognized his potential early on, invested in his development, and allowed him to build a long and meaningful career. Barboza has remained with the company for 28 years, continuing to value the principles, respect, and family-oriented culture that helped shape his path.

“Nick reflects the very best of the transportation industry: hard work, loyalty, faith, generosity, and a genuine desire to lift others up. His story is not only remarkable, but also an example for all to follow,” said Lathen Whited, VP of enterprise retention at Covenant Logistics.

The DMC Driver of the Year Award is awarded annually to identify and celebrate the best-in-class drivers of DMC Insurance’s customers. All DMC customers are eligible to nominate up to three drivers for this recognition. The judging committee scores nominees based on their driving record, leadership within their organization, and service to their community and the trucking industry.

Capela Transport driver Harry Gough recognized as TCA Highway Angel for protecting injured motorcyclist

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently named Capela Transport driver Harry Gough a TCA Highway Angel for his quick thinking and actions following a motorcycle crash in Pennsylvania.

On June 13, Gough was returning to his company’s shop when he noticed several vehicles stopped along Route 6 near Starbrick, Pennsylvania. As he approached, he saw a motorcycle rider down in the roadway after colliding with a deer.

After stopping to make sure help was on the way, Gough became concerned that passing motorists were not slowing down enough as they approached the scene.

“Traffic was not really slowing down,” Gough recalled. “There were people trying to direct traffic, but nobody had reflective clothing on. It was a recipe for another accident.”

Recognizing the danger, Gough drove a short distance ahead, turned his truck around, and positioned it to force approaching vehicles into the center turn lane, creating a protective barrier between traffic and the injured rider.

The motorcyclist remained protected until emergency responders, a towing company, and volunteer firefighters arrived on scene.

“When our team heard about the incident from text messages from the towing company and ultimately the rider himself, we were not surprised when we researched and discovered which of our drivers had been so selfless,” said a representative from Capela Transport. “This is the type of human Harry is.”

For Gough, helping was simply the right thing to do.

“I’ve been driving for 29 years, and I learned from older drivers,” he said. “That’s like a code—you just don’t drive by.”

Toyota Canada renews Food Banks Canada partnership with $300,000 donation and new campaign

Toyota Canada and its dealers have announced a $300,000 donation to Food Banks Canada through Toyota Cars For Good, renewing the program's national partnership.

Now in its second year, this partnership has helped provide more than one million meals to people in Canada.

"Through Toyota Cars For Good, our dealers across Canada are helping turn everyday business into meaningful impact," said Steve Pilkey, VP of sales and marketing, Toyota Canada. "We're proud to work in partnership with Food Banks Canada to help more people in Canada access the food they need to pursue their potential and purpose."

Alongside the renewed funding, Toyota Cars For Good launched a new national campaign to raise awareness about food security and the role access to a healthy meal can play in helping people in Canada pursue the moments that matter most. A portion of every new Toyota vehicle sale in Canada helps advance the program.

"We're grateful to Toyota Canada for their continued commitment to helping address food insecurity across the country. Through the Cars for Good campaign, Toyota is not only providing meaningful support, but also engaging their dealer network and customers in raising awareness and inspiring action," said Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada. "As the need for food banks continues to grow, partnerships like this help strengthen our ability to support people and families across the country."

Cox Enterprises reveals winners of student Sustainability Challenge

Cox Enterprises recently revealed the winners of its Play with Purpose Sustainability Hackathon, a five-day innovation challenge designed to help students turn sustainability ideas into practical solutions.

More than 200 students from universities across Georgia, the Southeast, and beyond developed ideas focused on energy, agriculture, transportation, circular economy, and sustainable cities.

"The Play with Purpose Hackathon gave students the opportunity to apply their creativity and technical skills to some of the most important challenges facing our communities," said Jack Semrau, Atlanta venture ecosystem lead at Cox Enterprises. "By bringing together students, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, we're supporting the next generation of innovators while strengthening Atlanta's position as a hub for sustainability and cleantech."

Hosted at the Historic Biltmore, the event was part of Cox's Play with Purpose programming and held in partnership with Atlanta Tech Week and the Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub. The competition connected students with entrepreneurs and industry leaders as they developed solutions for real-world sustainability challenges.

The overall prize went to Stuti Thummala, whose project, MaterialOps, uses AI to help divert event waste generated by large-scale events from landfills by improving sorting and materials management. She received four tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and a first-round interview for the Cox Cleantech Residency, an Atlanta-based initiative designed to help early-stage founders accelerate the commercialization of climate and sustainability solutions.

Thummala, a mathematics and computer science student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, found the experience meaningful thanks to the support of her mentors.

"One of the things that drew me to this hackathon was the chance to build something with real-world impact," Thummala said. "It's exciting to see how technology can be used to create more sustainable outcomes at scale."

You can view the full list of winners here.