Bruce Jones should probably make a run to Vegas.

The G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation driver placed first in the combined antique combo and custom class (with co-worker Ron Baird’s 2000 Peterbilt 379 tractor and a Mac trailer) at the Mid-America Trucking Show in March and earned a Citizen Driver award from TravelCenters of America in April—the same month he also clinched 2025-26 National Tank Truck Carriers Tank Truck Driver of the Year as the third G&D/Hoffman driver to secure the prestigious honor. And while it’s hard to compare, Citizen Driver might be the most meaningful.

“My wife nominated me for that,” Jones said. “And the feeling of having my Tammy write up something about my career, and the man I am, was special because it was really something she did—not me or the company.”

Clearly, Jones’ life is charmed now. But he wasn’t always so lucky. The diehard Marine accepted a medical discharge after an injury in Desert Storm forced him behind a desk; and soon after leaving he moved to Illinois to help his father, Jim, battle throat cancer. Then he and Tammy endured the unimaginable in 2021, losing their son Cody to suicide at 26 years old. But Jones has always excelled at turning pain into purpose. He obtained his CDL—and rediscovered his trucking passion—in Illinois and became a staunch advocate for suicide prevention.

Now he’s looking to pay forward his newfound good fortune.

“I want to be a mentor,” Jones shared.

“I want to take the positives from my job, and my life, and help others get to this point, especially the next generation. And being 57, I would love to see a 27- or 30-year-old driver crowned NTTC Grand Champion because they, too, did what they were supposed to do—and did it right.” Before beginning his tenure as NTTC’s industry ambassador, the dry bulk hauler sat down with Bulk Transporter to talk about his past life in the 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, dealing with grief by turning pain into purpose, the power of family—and heartfelt emotions—and more.

Questions and answers are edited for length and clarity.

Bulk Transporter: What does NTTC Driver of the Year mean to you?

Bruce Jones: “Following all the amazing drivers who came before me, I’ve got some big shoes to fill. But having the company support we enjoy at G&D/Hoffman is absolutely overwhelming. And then being able to create a network through NTTC has been amazing. It’s great to see this side of trucking, and I’m really enjoying learning more information that will enhance my career.”

BT: You’ve won several awards in your career. Where does this one rank?

Jones: “It is way up there. I’m not going to lie. Especially with me, and our company, doing a threepeat in a short amount of time. G&D/Hoffman strives to produce champions. And it’s not just the company, it’s the people we have, and the training and the focus, and it’s contagious. You want to be part of that and help the company achieve its goals. And I’ve gotten so much help from [previous winners] Ron Baird, Ken Tolliver, and Dave Powell, and having that backing going into this was amazing.”

BT: How hard was it for you to maintain your composure after hearing your name announced as Grand Champion on stage?

Jones: “I thought for sure I wouldn’t be able to do it. I was in the Marines for 10½ years, so I’m supposed to have a bold look, but as I’ve gotten older, with the stuff my family has been through, including the loss of our son, I really do wear my heart on my sleeve now. And when I heard my name, I looked up and saw my wife’s face, and that was it. I lost it. But it was heartfelt. I’m not trying to be something I’m not, so I wasn’t afraid to ball like a baby in front of all those people. That’s me. Then I heard people’s responses, and they were congratulating me and saying my speech touched them.”

BT: Is suicide prevention something you plan to emphasize during your time as NTTC’s ambassador?

Jones: “Yes. My wife and I strive to make that our mission. I can’t tell you how strong Tammy is. She lost her brother to suicide. We lost our son to suicide. She also lost her nephew in a tragic car wreck, and all those things happened in the first week of December over the years, so that week is tough. But she is always striving for excellence, putting together suicide walks, and being there for people, which is amazing. People call us when they are having a tough time, because we always have a shoulder to lean on, and we’ve been through it. You take a negative, turn it into a positive, and turn that positive into excellence.

“Here’s a story that will make you freak out. When we tried to check into our room on Sunday, they said, ‘Mr. Jones, your room isn’t ready, but we have another one for you.’ So we hauled everything up to that room, and the number was 2126. Cody, our son, was 26 years old when he died in ’21.

“We looked at each other, and Tammy said, ‘You won. Our son is here.’”

BT: What’s the most difficult part of your job?

Jones: “Being away from home all week, especially as I get older. Having a young child at my age, I miss my home. But the best part of my job is being able to support my family and give them the life they live. So I'm going to take this role, and this positive outlook, and create a bigger positive to pass on, and hopefully give it to the next eight finalists. I’m looking forward to going back to Arlington, getting in front of them, and helping them crack the code.”

BT: Your dad was also a truck driver. How much did that influence your decision to transition into trucking?

Jones: “Before I went into the military, I used to go with him on runs. My dad hauled swinging meat in a reefer back in the day, and I remember riding with him as we went by the Goodyear Blimp hangar in Texas, and we saw it pull out while we were driving by. And I remember thinking, ‘Man, I can see all kinds of cool stuff driving a truck,’ and that’s where it all started. And while I was in the Marine Corps, they gave me a license, so I could drive everything. We drove the big ‘Dragon Wagons,’ and used them to load and unload maritime prepositioning ships. So my fascination with heavy equipment and trucks came from that—because it was so cool.”

BT: Do you see yourself doing this as long as Ron Baird, who was 76 when he won Driver of the Year in 2021?

Jones: “I would like to, but I don’t think Tammy will let me. She’s ready to retire. And we like the whole Florida thing, so we'll probably become the old snow birds who go down to Florida. And I really like to cook, so I'll probably end up with a food truck or smoking barbecue.”