C.H. Robinson reveals its 2026 Carrier of the Year Award winners

C.H. Robinson recently revealed the recipients of its 2026 Carrier of the Year Awards, recognizing 17 carriers across North America for performance, safety, and service. 

“These companies represent the best of our high-quality carrier network,” said Michael Castagnetto, president of North American surface transportation at C.H. Robinson. “They've earned the trust of both our customers and our teams through consistent performance, operational excellence, and a commitment to doing the right thing. No matter the market conditions, they continue to adapt, deliver, and help keep supply chains moving. We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside these carriers every day because they play a critical role in helping us create stronger supply chains and better outcomes for our customers.”

This year's Carrier of the Year Awards recognize carriers that demonstrate excellence across multiple dimensions of performance. Nominees were evaluated using a range of operational criteria, with safety and transparency serving as foundational requirements.

The Carrier of the Year Award winners were recognized during an awards ceremony in Minneapolis. You can view the full list of winners here. 

Army veteran to receive 2024 Freightliner Cascadia through Progressive's Keys to Progress program

Progressive Insurance recently recognized Fahad Al-Kadhim of Macomb, Michigan, as the recipient of a 2024 Freightliner Cascadia as part of the Keys to Progress program. The award recognizes Al-Kadhim's commitment to service and will help him take the next step toward building his own trucking business.

"We're proud to recognize veterans whose service continues long after they leave the military," said Karen Bailo, president of Progressive Commercial Lines. "Fahad's journey is one of courage, perseverance, and purpose. Through Keys to Progress, we're honored to provide him with a vehicle that can help turn his entrepreneurial goals into reality while continuing his commitment to keeping our roads and communities safe."

Al-Kadhim first supported U.S. Marines and Army units as an interpreter and translator during combat operations before immigrating to the U.S. After becoming a U.S. citizen, he continued his service by enlisting in the U.S. Army National Guard, where he trained as a truck driver. Today, he is a commercial driver and trainer who is passionate about developing safe, disciplined, and accountable professional drivers while remaining active in organizations that support veterans and military families.

"What started as a passion for giving back to my community from behind the wheel can now be turned into providing me with the tools to build my own business," said Al-Kadhim. "I am deeply grateful to Progressive for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to pursue my dream of owning my own trucking business."

Boyle Transportation couple honored as TCA Highway Angels for helping crash victims in Iowa

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently named David and Debra Beal, drivers for Boyle Transportation, TCA Highway Angels for their response to a crash near Davenport, Iowa.

On August 30, the Beals were traveling eastbound on Interstate 280 when Debra saw a truck traveling in the opposite direction lose control.

“I saw him crossing the median and coming into our path, so I backed off, just not getting his way,” Debra recalled. “And then when he came to a stop, he just rolled over on his side.”

Debra stopped and woke David. He got dressed and joined her at the crash scene while she called 911. When the Beals reached the overturned truck, they found a man and woman inside. The truck was lying on its side, making it difficult for the occupants to get out. Complicating the situation, fuel was leaking from the vehicle.

“Normally you wouldn’t move somebody, but with the fuel leaking, we weren’t sure what was going to happen,” Debra said. “We’re like, we’ve got to get you out of here.”

David held the truck’s door open and extended his leg into the cab, so the female passenger could grab his foot and pull herself up and out of the overturned truck. Another truck driver who stopped to help assisted the male occupant in getting out.

“She looked like she was very much in shock,” Debra said. “They weren’t, like, bleeding or anything, but they could have had internal stuff going on.”

The male occupant was holding his shoulder after he exited the truck. Law enforcement and paramedics arrived shortly after they safely removed the male occupant. The Beals remained at the scene until emergency responders took over.

“I would hope if we flipped over, somebody would do that for us,” she said. “I would hope, you know, just leave us there.”

David and Debra have been truck drivers for approximately five and a half years and have been married for 37 years.

Wesley Salley earns top title of TMCSuperTech Grand Champion

FedEx Freight's Wesley Salley, a senior technician from Round Rock, Texas, was crowned TMCSuperTech 2026 Grand Champion here at the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA’s) Technology & Maintenance Council's (TMC’s) National Technicians Skills Competitions. 

“Being named Grand Champion at TMC's National Technician Skills Competitions is a tremendous honor,” said Robert Braswell, TMC executive director. “Wesley demonstrated the kinds of skills, technical knowledge, and professionalism we have come to expect from our members. Congratulations to him and to all our competitors who displayed extraordinary talent during this competition.”

FedEx Freight’s Kelby Bentley—himself a TMCSuperTech Grand Champion in 2019—placed second, and FedEx Freight’s Mitchell Buelow placed third. FedEx Freight won the team competition with Mitchell Buelow and Wesley Salley. Elsewhere in the competition, Corbin White, University of Northwest Ohio, won the TMCFutureTech National Student Technician Skills Competition, with Madison Boone, Forsyth Technical Community College, finishing second and Jeffrey Jackson, Francis Tuttle Technology Center, placing third.

Full lists of station winners and the final order of finish are available below:

• TMCSuperTech 2026 Skills Station Winners and Top Finishers
• TMCSuperTech 2026 Order of Finish

AutoNation celebrates 10 years of DRV PNK with $1M in new cancer grants

Together with more than 20,000 associates nationwide, AutoNation recently celebrated a decade of DRV PNK and more than $50 million raised and donated to drive out cancer. To commemorate these milestones, AutoNation revealed an additional $1 million investment through 10 grants of $100,000 each to 10 longtime partners advancing cancer research and supporting patients, survivors, and caregivers.

The 10 grants were announced at AutoNation’s headquarters in Fort Lauderdale during DRV PNK Across America Day. The annual tradition brings together thousands of associates to assemble and hand-deliver Totes for Hope care bags to pediatric and adult patients living with cancer at partner hospitals and organizations. To date, associates have contributed more than 7,500 volunteer hours packing and delivering more than 40,000 Totes for Hope, filled with comfort items for patients and families.

“Ten years ago, we set out to make a difference in the fight against cancer, but DRV PNK has become much more than a fundraising effort," said Mike Manley, CEO of AutoNation. “It has become part of our culture because thousands of Associates have made this cause part of their everyday lives. Across our network of more than 300 locations, they are fundraising, volunteering their time, and supporting patients and their families in their communities. The additional $1 million grant funding reflects both our commitment to advancing cancer research and care, and the passion our Associates continue to bring to this cause every day.”

Manley joined AutoNation Associates and guests to present the grants to 10 partners advancing cancer research and patient support:

• American Cancer Society
• Breast Cancer Research Foundation
• Cleveland Clinic Florida
• CURE Childhood Cancer
• Moffitt Cancer Center
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation
• Phoenix Children’s Hospital
• Providence St. Jude Medical Center
• Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Wipe Out Kids Cancer