The company noted that these drivers have demonstrated “industry-leading safety records, exceptional skills and consistency throughout their careers.”

Drivers recognized for their achievements include:

Three Million Miles of Safe Driving

• Daniel Ronca
• Todd Miller

Two Million Miles of Safe Driving

• Richard Burkhart
• Richard Hunt
• Dennis Desrosiers
• John Basile
• William Jones
• Richard Wright
• Paul Waite Jr.

One Million Miles of Safe Driving

• David Adams
• Samuel Kinyanjui
• Gerardo Lopez III
• Walter Baumert
• Keith Carknard
• Charles Krumm
• Juan Ramos
• Robert Kaduck
• Joshua Cartier
• James Mooney
• John Davis
• Michael Oktavec
• Anthony Bowen
• Francis Hess
• John Arnold
• Michael Boyer
• William Ort
• Brian Eslinger

Source: A. Duie Pyle
Source: Truckers News

The post A. Duie Pyle Honors Million-Mile Safe Drivers During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The highly-anticipated winner will be announced at the ATA’s Safety, Security, and Human Resources National Conference and Exhibition, happening April 23–25 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Continental Express driver David Wolford, ATA’s 2023 National Driver of the Year. (Source: American Trucking Associations)

Recognizing Excellence on the Road

The ATA National Driver of the Year Award honors an individual for their lifelong dedication to safety and professionalism in the trucking industry. Every year, state trucking associations nominate their top drivers, and the ATA selects finalists through a rigorous evaluation process spearheaded by industry safety professionals.

This year, the following five drivers have risen above the rest, showcasing extraordinary accomplishments:

1. Jay Williams (TCW, Inc.)

• Accident-Free Miles: Over 3 million

• Years in the Industry: 20 with TCW, Inc.

• Awards: TCW 20 Year Safe Driving Award (2023); Tennessee Driver of the Year (2024)

Jay Williams has dedicated two decades of his career to TCW, Inc., driving with unparalleled precision and safety. His track record includes achieving over 3 million accident-free miles, a milestone recognized with several accolades, including the Tennessee Driver of the Year award for 2024.

2. Rollie Fugate (WalMart)

• Accident-Free Miles: 6 million

• Years in the Industry: 47.5 total, 24.5 with Wal-Mart

• Awards: Nevada Driver of the Year (2023)

With nearly five decades behind the wheel and a staggering 6 million accident-free miles, Rollie Fugate represents the gold standard of trucking safety. Now in his 24th year with WalMart, Fugate’s achievements include the Nevada Driver of the Year title.

3. Michael Bortz (Sorensen Transport)

• Accident-Free Miles: 4.85 million

• Years in the Industry: 43 total, 21 with Sorensen Transport

• Awards: Montana Driver of the Year (2024)

Michael Bortz has mastered the art of safe driving over his 43-year career, amassing nearly 5 million accident-free miles. Recognized as Montana’s Driver of the Year for 2024, Bortz has set an impressive industry benchmark.

4. Danny Tankersly (WEL Companies)

• Accident-Free Miles: 4.6 million

• Years in the Industry: 36 total, 14 with WEL Companies

• Awards: WEL Companies Driver of the Year (11-time recipient); WMCA 2023 Driver of the Year

Danny Tankersly’s reputation for safety is legendary. He boasts decades of accident-free driving and multiple honors, including winning WEL Companies’ Driver of the Year Award an astounding 11 times. His contributions were recently acknowledged with the WMCA 2023 Driver of the Year title.

5. Thomas Miller (Prime Inc.)

• Accident-Free Miles: 3.8 million

• Years in the Industry: 25 with Prime Inc.

• Awards: Missouri Trucking Association Driver of the Year (2016, 2023); MOTA Professional Excellence Award (2019); ATA America’s Road Team Captain

With a career defined by excellence, Thomas Miller has accumulated 3.8 million accident-free miles and numerous prestigious awards. From being named Missouri Driver of the Year twice to serving as an ATA America’s Road Team Captain, Miller exemplifies professionalism on the road.

Judging and Selection Process

Each finalist for the National Driver of the Year Award first earns recognition as a state Driver of the Year, nominated by ATA-affiliated state trucking associations. These impressive contenders are evaluated by a panel of industry safety experts who assess qualifications, career milestones, and safety records.

The process also involves reviewing video submissions, allowing judges from the Safety Management Council Awards & Recognition Committee to select the single standout driver worthy of the national spotlight.

Source: Truckers News & American Trucking Associations 

The post Meet the Finalists for the 2024 ATA National Driver of the Year Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

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

The post Celebrating Excellence in Trucking with the NASTC 2024 Driver of the Year Team appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.