Celebrating Excellence in Trucking with the NASTC 2024 Driver of the Year Team

On November 7, 2024, at the prestigious NASTC Driver of the Year Team ceremony, industry leaders Paul Rissler Transportation and C.W. Express emerged victorious, showcasing their remarkable contributions to trucking. This event, held alongside Overdrive’s Small Fleet Champ awards, celebrates the accomplishments of key players in the trucking world. Explore more about these distinguished awards through this link.

The National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) recently recognized 20 exemplary drivers as “America’s Best Drivers,” boasting a staggering 52,509,908 accident-free miles with over 600 years of combined experience. The truckers, nominated by NASTC member fleets for their exceptional driving records, took center stage at the association’s highly anticipated annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee, receiving direct commendations on November 8.

David Owen, President of NASTC, underscored the essential role that small carriers play in the trucking industry. He highlighted their unique ability to attract and retain the best and safest drivers—those who have achieved million-mile milestones. “NASTC’s membership represents a group that is a force in the industry,” he stated during a breakout session. Owen also emphasized the importance of recognizing these drivers’ value through appropriate compensation, advocating a six-figure salary for “a good OTR driver with a million miles behind him.”

NASTC 2024 Driver of the Year Team

Below are the remarkable members of the NASTC 2024 Driver of the Year Team, known for their exemplary accident-free miles:

• Jesse Lehman (Barry Bashore, Inc.): 39 years’ experience, over 3 million miles in 35 years.

• Keith Stearns (Borchers Brothers Trucking, LLC): 35 years’ experience, 3 million miles covered in 6 years.

• David Weeks (Capital Transport): 38 years’ experience, an impressive 4.3 million miles in 6 years.

• Doyle Archer (Coomes, Inc.): With 60 years of expertise, he has driven 1.3 million miles over 20 years.

• Jeff Bischel (D&D Transport Solutions, LLC): 19 years’ experience with 1.8 million miles in 2 years.

• Mark Landon (Dick Lavy Trucking): 40 years’ experience and 5 million miles in 20 years.

• Randy Wheeler (Dudley Sparkman, Inc.): 21 years’ experience and 2.5 million miles over 12 years.

• Lori Zegelnieks (Edward Axline Trucking, Inc.): 24 years driving with 2.5 million miles in 7 years.

• Gary Craft (Gold Standard Transportation): 50 years’ experience, covering 3 million miles in 2.5 years.

• Ralph Clark (Groen Enterprises, Inc.): 16 years of experience and 1.2 million miles in 10 years.

• Ernie Plett (Hiway Express, LLC): 24 years under his belt and 2.2 million miles over 19 years.

• Corey Havel (International Express Trucking, Inc.): 25 years’ experience, with 3 million miles in 5 years.

• Jeremy Edgeworth (JT Motorsports, Inc.): 12 years’ experience achieving 1.3 million miles in 10 years.

• Alfonso Ruiz (KGT Transport, Inc.): 30 years on the road, covering 1.2 million miles in 8 years.

• Larry Bischoff (Larry Bischoff Trucking): 51 years’ experience as an owner-operator, with 3.3 million miles in 38 years.

• Leo Reynolds (Maple Lane Transport): 17 years in the industry, driving 1.1 million miles in 3 years.

• Tom Billups (Morris Trucking Corp.): 33 years with 3.5 million miles.

• LeRoy Boully (QLF Transportation, Inc.): 44 years’ experience with 3 million miles in 10 years.

• Ron Marcum (Red Baron Transportation): 35 years’ experience, achieving 3 million miles in 2 years.

• Dale Wiederholt (Strawboss Trucking, Inc.): 40 years of expertise and 3.2 million miles over 29 years.

Source: Overdrive