INDIANAPOLIS—Last month, I had the honor of attending the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indiana, where I was given the opportunity to represent the trucking industry at the Next Generation in Trucking Association booth. What began as an invitation to share my journey as a professional truck driver quickly became one of the most rewarding and memorable adventures of my career.

Throughout the convention, I had the privilege of standing alongside some truly remarkable peers who share the same passion for our industry. Among them were fellow National Tank Truck Carriers Driver of the Year Grand Champions Dave Powell (Usher Transport) and Ken Tolliver (G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation)—who also serves as an America’s Road Team Captain alongside Ritch Fundell (FedEx Freight).

Being surrounded by individuals who have dedicated their careers to professionalism, safety, and excellence in trucking was a huge honor. But the greatest reward came from the thousands of FFA students who visited our booth, eager to learn about an industry that plays such a vital role in keeping America moving.

More than just a truck

One of the biggest attractions at the NextGen Trucking booth was the truck-driving simulator. Throughout the event, lines of students wrapped around our exhibit space, patiently waiting for their chance to experience what it’s like to operate a commercial vehicle.

The excitement was contagious.

Alongside the simulator, we had a full-size semi-truck that allowed students to climb into the driver’s seat and experience firsthand the environment commercial drivers work in every day. Watching their faces light up as they sat behind the wheel was something I won’t forget.

But what impressed me more than their excitement was their curiosity.

These students weren’t simply interested in the size of the equipment or the technology behind it. They wanted to understand the responsibilities of being a professional driver, the training involved, the importance of safety, and the opportunities available within the transportation industry.

Their questions were thoughtful, sometimes challenging—and often inspiring.

A generation that gives us hope

As industry veterans, we frequently hear discussions about the challenges facing our industry, including the need to attract and develop the next generation of qualified drivers. After spending time with these FFA students, I walked away with a renewed sense of optimism.

The discipline, determination, and goal-oriented mindset demonstrated by these young men and women was remarkable. They listened, asked questions, and genuinely wanted to learn. Many already understood the importance of hard work, responsibility, and commitment—qualities that are essential to becoming a successful professional truck driver.

It was encouraging to see students who were not afraid to ask difficult questions or explore career options they may never have considered before. Those conversations reminded me that the future of trucking is not simply about recruiting drivers. It’s about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and showing young people trucking offers meaningful careers filled with opportunity, responsibility, and pride.

Building connections that count

I want to thank Lindsay Trent and the NextGen Trucking initiative for creating an environment where transportation leaders can connect directly with students and introduce them to the opportunities in our industry.

Programs like these are essential to the future of trucking.

Speaking face-to-face with young people, answer their questions, and share real-world stories allows us to show them a side of trucking they may not see otherwise. It also gives us, as industry professionals, the opportunity to listen. And I can tell you, these students have a lot to say. Their enthusiasm and willingness to engage made every conversation worthwhile. Whether we were discussing equipment, safety, career paths, or the everyday responsibilities of professional drivers, the students remained attentive and interested.

For me, being able to capture their attention, encourage their curiosity—and potentially motivate even one student to consider a future in trucking—made the entire experience worthwhile.

An experience I will never forget

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have many incredible opportunities and meet many outstanding people within the transport industry. But standing alongside fellow truckers at the National FFA Convention, and sharing our experiences with the next generation, ranks among the highlights of my career.

There is something special about watching a young person climb into the driver’s seat of a semi-truck, ask questions about our profession, and begin to imagine the possibilities ahead.

Those moments are why events like this matter.

We have a responsibility as experienced professionals to share our knowledge, demonstrate the importance of safety, and encourage young people to take pride in whatever career path they choose. The future of our industry depends not only on the equipment we operate or the freight we deliver—but also on the people we inspire along the way. And I sincerely hope to return to FFA’s national convention in the future and once again speak with the incredible students who represent the future of America’s essential workforce.

Finally, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to G&D/Hoffman and NTTC leaders for giving me the chance to participate in this event. I’m grateful to Lindsay, the entire NextGen Trucking team, and the exceptional industry professionals who made this event possible. It was an honor to represent our industry, a joy to meet these students, and a privilege to be part of something that is shaping the future.

After meeting these young men and women, I can say with the utmost confidence the future of trucking has tremendous potential—and I’m proud to have played a small part in helping realize it.