The three finalists in the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program will be announced as America’s top rookie military drivers during the upcoming Great American Trucking Show (GATS) August 23-25 in Dallas TX.
Kenworth teamed with the FASTPORT Trucking Track Mentoring Program and the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes Program to find America’s top rookie military veteran, who has made the successful transition from active duty to driving for a commercial fleet.
For the third consecutive year, Kenworth will donate The Driver’s Truck--a fully-loaded Kenworth T680 Advantage with a 76-inch sleeper and a PACCAR MX-13 engine--to serve as the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program award.
Recently, the program’s top 10 finalists were named as America’s top rookie military drivers. The drivers, listed by their military branch of service and current truck fleet, include:
- Mordaunt “Platt” Brabner--US Marine Corps and US Navy/TMC Transportation
- Summar Hanks--US Air Force and Air National Guard/US Xpress
- Toby Hunt--US Army and US Navy/Prime, Inc
- Jeremiah King--US Navy/PAM Transport
- Tilford Serea--US Navy/TMC Transportation
- Ricardo Sumrall--US Navy/Melton Truck Lines
- Phillip “Tom” Vargo--US Navy/Roehl Transport
- Brian “Kelley” Ward--US Navy/Veriha Trucking
- Quinton Ward--US Army/Werner Enterprises
- Christopher Young--US Army/Stevens Transport
“We have an outstanding group of drivers selected this year as finalists in the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “We thank them for their military service to the country, and appreciate their dedication on the road in pursuing their new profession as truck drivers traveling the highways of America.”
Drivers were nominated by trucking companies that made a hiring commitment and pledge to hire veterans on www.truckingtrack.org or, by members of the National Association of Publically Funded Truck Driving Schools, or Commercial Vehicle Training Association-member school.
“Our 10 finalists represent a wide variety of military branches and occupations, and are excellent examples of what military talent can bring to the trucking industry,” said FASTPORT President Brad Bentley.
In conjunction with GATS, all 10 drivers will receive special recognition at the President George W Bush Library during a tour and reception.