Goodyear names 42nd Highway Hero Award winner

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company recently revealed the winner of the 42nd Goodyear Highway Hero Award: Joseph Stanekenas, a professional driver for General Transport.

Stanekenas was recognized for his actions after a highway accident in which a semi-truck collided with another trailer and caught fire. Stanekenas parked his vehicle and rushed to assist the driver trapped inside the burning truck.

With help from fellow commercial driver Charles Johnson, the two men pulled the driver from the vehicle and moved him to safety. Thanks to Stanekenas’ swift response and a joint willingness to put themselves at risk to help a stranger, the driver survived the incident.

The Goodyear Highway Hero Award, established in 1983, recognizes truck drivers across the U.S. and Canada who demonstrate courage and selflessness on the job.

“Joseph has been a driver for General Transport for four years and is always willing to go above and beyond in every aspect,” Karly Becker, General Transport's director of safety, said. “It is a pleasure to have Joseph as part of our fleet but our honor to nominate his heroic actions through Goodyear’s Highway Hero Award to save a stranger’s life.”

As the 42nd Highway Hero Award recipient, Stanekenas will receive a cash prize and a ride aboard the Goodyear Blimp. In recognition of the teamwork and courage that made the rescue possible, Charles Johnson will also be invited to participate in the Blimp experience.

Trucking Cares Foundation bestows 2026 John Lex Premier Achievement Award

The American Trucking Associations ATA) Trucking Cares Foundation (TCF) recently awarded its 2026 John Lex Premier Achievement Award to Von Minor. Minor is president and executive director of the South Dallas Driving Academy, a workforce development nonprofit eliminating barriers to driver’s licenses for underserved South Dallas communities.

“By pioneering a nonprofit workforce development program, Von is helping low-income residents in his community overcome a systemic barrier to opportunity,” Greg Owen, TCF chairman and head coach of Ability Tri-Modal, said. “Von has personally guided young adults through training and certification and connected them with pathway partners, who help them enter our industry, earn a living wage—including a few now working for ATA member companies—and drive themselves out of poverty. The Trucking Cares Foundation is proud to honor an individual whose work is creating lasting change.”

Nearly 40% of low-income individuals in U.S. urban areas—and nearly half in South Dallas—lack a valid driver’s license, often because they lack access to affordable driver education. The South Dallas Driving Academy addresses this challenge by offering a dual-track training program that helps participants earn their driver’s license and prepare for careers in transportation. As the only program of its kind, South Dallas Driving Academy is offered at no cost to Bonton and South Dallas residents, with a 90% student course completion and program graduation rate.

TCF learned of South Dallas Driving Academy during its pilot phase. Since then, TCF has contributed nearly $100,000 through annual donations, providing resources that helped the program grow into what it is today.

TCF recognizes the John Lex Premier Achievement Award recipient with a $5,000 donation to the charity of the honoree’s choosing.

Be Pro Be Proud and Meta introduced Alabama National Fair visitors to technical professions

Be Pro Be Proud's 10th Anniversary Tour recently stopped at the Alabama National Fair, giving Montgomery-area students and families a hands-on look at technical careers.

Students and families climbed aboard a full-size tractor-trailer outfitted with virtual reality simulators and interactive stations built around real trade work—welding, HVAC, electrical, heavy equipment, and advanced manufacturing. 

"Putting students and their parents in front of the same career at the same time changes the conversation at the dinner table," Andrew Parker, executive director of Be Pro Be Proud, said. "With Meta's support, we can help young people see high-demand, high-wage technical careers as a first choice."

The workshop's visit fell on First Responders Day, when firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, dispatchers, and other emergency service professionals received free admission for themselves and up to three immediate family members. The Meta Montgomery Data Center supported both.

"Nearly every family in this part of Alabama comes through our gates in October," Randy Stephenson, executive director of the Alabama National Fair, said. "We closed this year with the midway full and a thank-you to the people who answer our emergency calls. That takes a lot of partners, and we're so glad to have Be Pro Be Proud and Meta included on that list."

The Montgomery stop is one of 10 on the tour, which continues through the fall with a $500,000 investment from Meta. Since 2023, the partnership has reached nearly 70,000 students across Meta data center communities.

Coltrain Onsite named official sponsor of 2026 StaffDNA Cure Bowl

Coltrain Onsite Fleet Care is an official sponsor of the 2026 StaffDNA Cure Bowl. Kickoff for the 12th annual game, operated by the Orlando Sports Foundation in collaboration with ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, is set for 5 p.m. ET on December 22 at Acrisure Bounce House in the Orlando metropolitan area. Coltrain Onsite mobile technicians serve fleets across 15 states, including Florida metros Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami.

Over the past 11 years, the Cure Bowl has raised $6.83 million for cancer research. The Orlando community has benefited from the funds generated at the game, with local researcher Dr. Annette Khaled at the UCF (University of Central Florida) College of Medicine receiving more than $3.68 million of the funds distributed.

"The road is the heartbeat of American commerce,” Kyle and Kevin Coltrain, co-founders of Coltrain Onsite Fleet Care, said. “Drivers, trucks, and trailers are its lifeblood. Our mobile technicians find issues on our customers' trucks and trailers early, fix them, and keep fleets compliant and moving safely. Cancer researchers defend people's health the same way, and the Cure Bowl funds that work. Every Coltrain Onsite team member is part of this sponsorship. Defend the Road. Defend the Cure.”

For the Coltrain family, the cause is personal. Kyle and Kevin's grandmother passed away from cancer. Their father, Ted Coltrain, played football at UCF and later served as president of the OSF board. Their uncle, Mike Dickinson, chairs the OSF board's development committee.

The StaffDNA Cure Bowl matchup will be revealed on December 6. General public tickets go on sale the same day, and memberships and hospitality packages are available now.

NAFA reveals winners of inaugural 2026 Fleet Safety Awards

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) recently announced the winners of its inaugural 2026 Fleet Safety Awards, recognizing government and commercial fleet operations committed to safety excellence and a safety-first culture.

This year's top honor, the No. 1 Platinum Fleet Safety Award, went to Saia LTL Freight for its performance and leadership in fleet safety. The Platinum designation represents the program's highest level of achievement, recognizing organizations with well-established safety programs supported by leadership, results, and continuous improvement.

The 2026 Platinum Fleet Safety Award recipients, ranked in order, are:

• Saia LTL Freight
• Crane Payment Innovations
• Superior Linen Service
• VSC Fire & Security
• Diebold Nixdorf

“Safety is fundamental to every successful fleet operation, and these inaugural award winners are demonstrating what it means to make safety a priority at every level of their organizations,” Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA, said. “From leadership commitment and driver engagement to training, technology, and measurable results, these fleets are setting an example for the industry. We're proud to recognize their achievements and help advance our shared goal of ensuring every driver makes it home safely, every day.”

NAFA presented the awards on October 19 at its Fleet Safety Symposium in National Harbor, Maryland, where fleet professionals gathered to explore strategies, technologies, and best practices for strengthening safety culture, reducing risk, and improving fleet performance.

As part of NAFA's 100 Best recognition programs, alongside the 100 Best Fleets and Green Fleet Awards, the Fleet Safety Awards recognize organizations for the strength, maturity, and effectiveness of their fleet safety programs. Developed by fleet safety professionals, the award criteria evaluate multiple facets of fleet safety management and highlight practices that can serve as benchmarks for organizations across the industry.

In addition to the Platinum honorees, NAFA recognized organizations across three additional designation levels, each reflecting a level of achievement in fleet safety. View the full list of honorees here.