Petty: What fleets can learn from NPTC's newest Hall of Fame drivers
Key takeaways
- NPTC honors four additional drivers with millions of accident-free miles.
- Hall of Fame drivers demonstrate long-term consistency, professionalism, and strong customer service in operations.
- Recognition highlights the role of experience and defensive driving in reducing risk across the commercial trucking industry.
Each year since 1987, the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) has inducted four drivers into the NPTC Driver Hall of Fame, now sponsored by International and Centerline Drivers. A special ceremony at NPTC’s annual conference recognizes the “best of the best” private fleet professional drivers in the industry.
To be eligible for this elite award, drivers must have safely driven millions of miles without any recordable accidents or moving violations. Further, they must excel in premium customer service, professional integrity, personal character, and trustworthy reputation. The 2026 winners meet all these standards and are worthy of recognition in the Driver Hall of Fame. Following is a snapshot of this year’s winners.
Robert Baity, Unifi Manufacturing, Yadkinville, North Carolina
Robert Baity began his driving career in 1976 on his family farm in Yadkin County, North Carolina. There, he learned to drive a 10-speed, single-axle truck hauling corn, soybeans, and hay. He has more than 48 years of combined driving experience, including time with other companies before joining Unifi. In that time, he has accumulated 3.6 million miles without a chargeable accident, injury, or moving violation. In his 13 years with Unifi, he has racked up more than 900,000 accident-free miles.
Throughout his career, Baity has operated a variety of equipment and hauled multiple types of products. His experience and professionalism have made him a valued driver in Unifi’s Transportation Department, where he runs about 400 miles a day hauling general freight in and out of the company’s Yadkinville, North Carolina, terminal.
Matthew Dosland, John Deere assigned by CPC Logistics, Davenport, Iowa
In 30 years behind the wheel, Matthew Dosland has driven 3.25 million miles without a chargeable accident, injury, or moving violation. He started his driving career with Dundee Trucking in Oxford Junction, Iowa, in 1996. The following year, he joined Hainstock Trucking in Lost Nation, Iowa, before becoming a driver for John Deere Shared Services at CPC Logistics two years later.
As a driver for Deere, he hauls equipment parts in over-the-road applications throughout the Midwest. The job requires him to drive in all-weather conditions, including snow and ice, spring storms, and tornado weather. During his tenure at CPC Logistics, he has accumulated three million safe driving miles. As a result of his dedication, he has been awarded one-, two-, and three-million-mile safe driver awards from CPC, and he was named an NPTC National All-Star Driver in 2018.
Eddie McAllister, Shaw Industries Group, Shaw, Georgia
Eddie McAllister started his driving career with Shaw as a spotter. After earning his CDL, he moved into a driving position. He has driven day cabs and sleeper trucks and has pulled various trailers (with and without liftgates) and pulled bulk and liquid tankers. While at Shaw, he worked as an OTR driver and has recently delivered yarn, carpet rolls, and flooring products to retail locations throughout North Georgia and Southern Tennessee.
McAllister works up to 60 hours a week. It may be necessary to use a winch, forklift, or pallet jack to unload freight during these deliveries, depending on the specific freight and the customer’s requirements. He utilizes defensive driving and his years of on-road experience to ensure safe, uneventful, and stress-free trips.
In 39 years behind the wheel, McAllister has driven 4.2 million miles without an accident, injury, or moving violation.
Paul Ramirez, Circle K/Fuel South Express, Columbus, Indiana
Paul Ramirez began his professional driving career in 1991. In those 35 years, he has racked up 3.5 million miles without an accident, injury, or moving violation. Ramirez began his driving career in the military in 1991, honorably serving in the U.S. Army for four years, during which he developed a strong work ethic, discipline, and a sense of responsibility. He joined National Freight in 1996 as a driver, a position he held for four years before joining Road Runner.
In 2004, Ramirez joined Benito Petroleum, which Circle K/Fuel South Express subsequently acquired. He has built a reputation as a dependable and safety-focused fuel hauler. His position with Circle K involves hauling flammable liquid petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and ethanol blends across Midwest routes in varying and often challenging weather conditions, including snow, ice, extreme cold, heavy rain, and high winds.
Congratulations to Robert, Matthew, Eddie, and Paul on being named the NPTC Driver Hall of Fame winners for 2026!
About the Author
Gary Petty
Gary Petty has more than three decades of experience as a CEO of national trade associations in the trucking industry. Since 2001, he has served as president and CEO of the National Private Truck Council, the national trade association founded in 1939, representing the private motor carrier industry. Petty is the Private Fleet Editor and columnist for FleetOwner, where he writes monthly articles about successful managers and business models in the private fleet market.