FASTPORT recently revealed the finalists in this year’s “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” program, which identifies America’s top rookie military veteran driver who has successfully transitioned from active duty to commercial fleet driving.

For the sixth consecutive year, Kenworth teamed with the FASTPORT Trucking Track Mentoring Program and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes Program to support “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence.” Kenworth will provide a model T680 with a 76-inch sleeper to serve as the program’s award to this year’s overall winner. The T680 features the complete PACCAR Powertrain with PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles.

“We have an impressive group of drivers selected as finalists in the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program,” said Genevieve Bekkerus, Kenworth marketing director. “Kenworth Truck Company thanks them for their military service to the country and appreciates their dedication on the road in pursuit of their new profession as truck drivers.”

The Top 10 drivers, listed with their military branch of service and current truck fleet, include:

• Steven Brown, U.S. Navy, EPES Transport System
• Lacresha Daniels, U.S. Navy, PRIME Inc.
• Marcus Ellis, U.S. Air Force, Stevens Transport
• William Gamez, U.S. Army, Army National Guard, Roehl Transport
• Scott McFadden, U.S. Navy, Melton Truck Lines
• Jimmy Reddell, U.S. Army, Army Reserves, Stevens Transport
• James C. Rose, U.S. Marine Corps, PRIME Inc.
• Christopher Slindee, U.S. Army, Knight Transportation
• Brad Stonebraker, U.S. Army, Melton Truck Lines
• Justin Utt, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Swift Transportation

“It was certainly a challenging task to reduce the list of our talented nominees down to the Top 10,” said Brad Bentley, FASTPORT president. “Our finalists are outstanding examples of the over-the-road service that veterans can offer the trucking industry, and they represent a variety of military branches. It is important for organizations across the United States to especially reach out to our veterans to help them make a smooth transition back into civilian life.”

Drivers were nominated by trucking companies that made a hiring commitment and pledge to hire veterans on truckingtrack.org, members of the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS), or Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) member school. 

To qualify, drivers had to meet three eligibility requirements:

• Must have been active military or member of the National Guard or Reserve.
• Graduated from PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school, with a valid CDL.
• First hired in a trucking position between January 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021.

The top three finalists in the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” program will be announced Oct. 6 at the MHC Road Ready Center in Chillicothe, Ohio, following a recognition event and tour of the adjacent Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant. A popular vote will take place online from Oct. 28 until Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11, then the ultimate winner will be determined by a selection committee. The winner will be announced Dec. 17 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. 

For further information on the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award program, visit transitiontrucking.org.