TravelCenters of America (TA) has named two professional drivers as 2026 Citizen Driver award winners during the Mid-America Trucking Show. The annual award recognizes drivers who demonstrate strong safety records, leadership, and contributions to the trucking community beyond their daily routes.
The recognition highlights drivers who consistently combine safe operation with mentorship, industry involvement, and long-term performance.
What is the TA Citizen Driver award?
The TA Citizen Driver award is an annual recognition program created by TravelCenters of America to honor professional drivers who demonstrate excellence in safety, leadership, and community involvement.
The award focuses on more than miles driven. It highlights drivers who influence others through mentorship, safety advocacy, and participation in industry programs.
This program is designed to recognize both performance behind the wheel and contribution to the broader trucking community.
Who were the 2026 TA Citizen Driver award winners?
The 2026 recipients are Steven Brand and Bruce Jones. Both drivers were recognized for long-term safety records, leadership roles, and contributions to driver development and industry programs.
Their selection was announced during the Mid-America Trucking Show.
Both honorees represent a combination of consistent safety performance and strong industry engagement.
Steven Brand: long-term safety and mentorship in trucking
Steven Brand has 36 years of experience and nearly 5 million crash-free miles. He has spent close to 30 years with FedEx Freight, where he is known as a mentor and resource for other drivers.
Beyond his driving career, Brand has coached participants in the Ohio Truck Driving Championships and supported youth and safety-focused programs across the industry.
His recognition reflects both sustained safe driving and a strong commitment to mentoring other drivers.
Bruce Jones: military background, safety record, and leadership role
Bruce Jones has accumulated more than 4 million crash- and ticket-free miles over 28 years of driving. He is a third-generation driver and Marine Corps veteran with more than 1 million safe miles in tanker operations.
He currently drives for Hoffman Transportation and has received multiple industry recognitions, including Illinois Driver of the Year in 2024 and a Grand Champion Elite Eight Finalist placement the same year.
Jones also serves on his company’s driver advisory board, contributing directly to safety initiatives and operational improvements.
His career reflects a blend of high-level safety performance and active involvement in improving driver programs.
How are Citizen Driver winners recognized?
TA will hold dedication ceremonies later in the year to honor the 2026 winners. Steven Brand will be recognized in London, while Bruce Jones will be recognized in Wilmington.
In addition to public recognition, TA is donating $5,000 to Truckers Against Trafficking on behalf of the award recipients.
Recognition for winners includes both ceremonial events and charitable contributions tied to industry causes.
What is the purpose of the Citizen Driver program?
The Citizen Driver program launched in 2013 to recognize professional drivers who demonstrate excellence in safety, leadership, and community involvement.
Since its launch, the program has honored 40 drivers. Candidates are evaluated by an independent panel that considers both career achievements and contributions outside the cab.
The program exists to highlight drivers whose influence extends beyond mileage and daily routes.
Why does driver recognition matter in trucking?
Driver recognition programs like Citizen Driver reinforce the importance of safety, mentorship, and leadership across the industry.
They emphasize that success is measured not only in miles driven but also in the impact drivers have on peers, training, and safety culture.
Programs like this help highlight the human side of trucking and the leadership role experienced drivers play.
Frequently asked questions
What is the TA Citizen Driver award?
The TA Citizen Driver award is an annual recognition from TravelCenters of America honoring drivers for safety, leadership, and community involvement. It highlights both professional performance and contributions beyond driving.
Who won the 2026 Citizen Driver awards?
The 2026 winners are Steven Brand and Bruce Jones, recognized during the Mid-America Trucking Show.
How many miles have the winners driven?
Steven Brand has nearly 5 million crash-free miles, while Bruce Jones has more than 4 million crash- and ticket-free miles.
What makes a driver eligible for Citizen Driver recognition?
Drivers are selected based on safety records, leadership, mentorship, and contributions to the trucking community.
What does TravelCenters of America do for the winners?
TA holds recognition ceremonies and also donates to Truckers Against Trafficking in honor of the winners.
How long has the Citizen Driver program existed?
The program began in 2013 and has recognized 40 drivers to date.
The TA Citizen Driver award highlights professional drivers who combine strong safety records with leadership and mentorship across the trucking industry. The 2026 winners, Steven Brand and Bruce Jones, reflect the program’s focus on long-term performance and meaningful contribution beyond the road, reinforcing that success in trucking extends far beyond miles driven.
Truck Drivers USA Editorial Team
The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content on CDL requirements, safety regulations, pay trends, and daily operations. Each piece is written to provide clear, accurate information drivers can use on the road and in their careers.
Last updated: April 13, 2026
