Who was selected

The 2026 to 2028 Kansas Road Team includes:

• Mark Carver, FedEx Freight
  18 years of experience, 2.75 million accident-free miles, 2025 National Truck Driving Championships straight truck champion
• Joe Ortiz, Frito-Lay Transportation
  11 years of experience, more than 885,000 accident-free miles, driver trainer
• Christopher Noble, Walmart Transportation
  32 years of experience, 3.8 million safe miles, certified trainer, and new driver mentor
• Richard Johnson, FedEx Freight
  15 years of experience, multiple Kansas Truck Driving Championships first-place finishes
• Josue Rivera, Old Dominion Freight Line
  22 years of experience, 1.6 million safe miles, two-time Kansas Truck Driving Championships champion, new driver trainer
• Scott Reich, Frito-Lay Transportation
  33 years of experience, more than 2 million miles, 2025 Kansas Truck Driving Championships three axle champion, safety and accident review team member

Each driver will serve through 2028.

Road Team Captains act as working representatives for the industry, speaking at public events and supporting safety outreach while continuing to run freight.

The association also recognized outgoing captains Brian Baldwin and Stephen Caudill of Old Dominion Freight Line for their service.

As the association stated, “These drivers don’t just haul freight — they carry the reputation of an entire industry. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Programs like the Kansas Road Team highlight the experience, safety records, and training roles behind the drivers selected, while putting working drivers in front of the public to represent the industry.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: April 30, 2026

Source: Truckers News

The post Kansas Names Six Road Team Captains to Represent Drivers Through 2028 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The program, sponsored by Great West Casualty Company, highlights tank haulers whose work reflects the highest standards in safety and professionalism. These finalists come from fleets across the country, each with their own story and years of earned expertise.

The 2025–2026 Finalists

NTTC named the following drivers as this year’s top contenders:

• Bruce Jones – G&D Trucking, Inc. / Hoffman Transportation, LLC
• Jarrod Alsobrooks – SWTO, LLC
• Joseph Hafford – Kenan Advantage Group
• Michael Key – Kenan Advantage Group
• Jorge Hernandez – Certified Express, Inc.
• Anthony Rocha – Foodliner
• Scott Tempus – Quest Liner
• Andrew Givens – ADM Trucking

One of these drivers will earn the title of Grand Champion when NTTC holds its Annual Conference in Baltimore from April 20 to 22, 2026.

What the Grand Champion Does

The driver selected as Grand Champion will take on a role that goes beyond day-to-day driving. NTTC relies on this individual to help share the industry’s message of safety and education across the country. Drivers often speak at events, represent the tank sector in national discussions, and help raise awareness about the level of skill and responsibility tank operations require.

For drivers out on the road, this recognition serves as a reminder that the industry still values safe habits, consistent professionalism, and the effort it takes to run tank loads the right way.

More information about the Driver of the Year Champion program can be found at tanktruck.org/doy.

Source: Truckers News

The post Tank Truck Drivers Recognized as NTTC Announces Eight Finalists for 2025–2026 Driver of the Year Champion appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.