The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has unveiled the five finalists for the 2024 National Driver of the Year Award. Sponsored by DMC Insurance, this distinguished award recognizes professional truck drivers who have demonstrated unparalleled dedication to safety and excellence throughout their careers.
Honoring Outstanding Drivers
According to an ATA press statement, the National Driver of the Year Award highlights individuals who embody the pinnacle of professionalism and a steadfast commitment to maintaining road safety.
Finalists are carefully chosen from state-level Drivers of the Year, nominated by ATA’s affiliated state trucking associations. A panel of safety experts meticulously reviews each candidate’s career achievements to identify the top contenders.
Here are the five extraordinary finalists for 2024:
Jay Williams – TCW Inc.
Jay Williams has been a professional truck driver for over two decades, logging more than three million miles without an accident while driving for TCW Inc. His impressive safety record earned him the TCW 20-Year Safe Driving Award in 2023, followed by the prestigious title of Tennessee Driver of the Year for 2024.
Rollie Fugate – Wal-Mart
With an incredible trucking career spanning 47.5 years and 24.5 of those with Wal-Mart, Rollie Fugate has achieved an astonishing six million accident-free miles. He was named Nevada Driver of the Year in 2023 in recognition of his remarkable devotion to the industry.
Michael Bortz – Sorensen Transport
Michael Bortz’s four-decade career includes 21 years with Sorensen Transport, where he has driven 4.85 million accident-free miles. He was recently honored as the Montana Driver of the Year for 2024, further solidifying his legacy of safety.
Danny Tankersly – WEL Companies
For 36 years, including 14 with WEL Companies, Danny Tankersly has driven an impressive 4.6 million miles without a single accident. His accolades include WEL Companies’ Driver of the Year title an incredible 11 times, a 13-Year Safe Driving Award, and being named the WMCA 2023 Driver of the Year.
Thomas Miller – Prime Inc.
Thomas Miller’s 25 years with Prime Inc. have been marked by 3.5 million accident-free miles at the company and 3.8 million over his entire career. Among his numerous honors, he has twice been recognized as Missouri Trucking Association Driver of the Year (2016 and 2023), received the MOTA Professional Excellence Award in 2019, and served as an ATA America’s Road Team Captain.
Recognizing Excellence on the Road
The Safety Management Council Awards & Recognition Committee will judge the video submissions and select a winner. The winner will be announced during the Safety, Security, and Human Resources National Conference and Exhibition, taking place April 23-25 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Source: The Trucker
