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

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Recognition from WIT

The president and CEO of WIT, Jennifer Hedrick, expressed her admiration, stating, “Women In Trucking is honored each year to name a leader in our industry who demonstrates remarkable grit, talent and passion to advance opportunities for women in trucking. We’re thrilled to give this honor to Tracy Rushing this year. Tracy’s commitment to this profession and desire to mentor future leaders is an example for all of us.”

Award Sponsored by Daimler Truck North America

Sponsored by Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), the award highlights the contributions of female pioneers in the trucking sector.

Rushing shared her appreciation, “I’m incredibly grateful to be named 2024 Influential Woman in Trucking but this honor isn’t mine alone. It belongs to all the women who have paved the way and continue to push our industry forward. I’m just proud to be a part of this community of strong, dedicated women who work tirelessly to keep America moving. We’re all in this together, and I’m thankful every day that I get to be a trucker.”

Panel Discussion and Announcement

The announcement followed a panel discussion titled “Becoming an Influential Woman in Trucking,” featuring finalists Lisa Gonnerman, VP of Enterprise Services at TA Dedicated, and Sheri Aaberg, COO at Transport Enterprise Leasing. Facilitators included Kelley Martin and Heather Callahan of DTNA, recognized as 2024 WIT Top Women to Watch in Transportation. Rushing later captivated nearly 2,000 attendees with her personal experiences and insights.

Rushing’s Journey and Contributions

Beginning her career three decades ago in a scale house, Rushing progressed into leadership roles, driven by perseverance and mentorship. She offered insights into her early days in trucking, underscoring the significance of building relationships within the industry. Her inspirational message encouraged others to discover their “why” in trucking and to create a legacy of support and opportunity.

Rushing’s active involvement includes memberships in SHRM, TCA, and the Alabama Trucking Association’s SMMC. She serves on various committees, including ATA Comp Fund’s RMAC and as chair of TCA’s Safety, Recruiting, and Retention Committee.

A Vision of Community

Reflecting on the conference, Kelley Martin noted, “This year, Daimler Truck North America attended the WIT Accelerate! Conference & Expo with the theme ‘one of many.’ It’s about being part of a larger community, not just the only one or the best one, but one of many. The finalists for the Influential Woman in Trucking Award embody this vision. Through their dedication and hard work, they are paving the way for women to excel and thrive in our industry. Additionally, I’d like to congratulate Tracy Rushing for being named the 2024 Influential Woman in Trucking. Her outstanding career and unwavering passion have made a lasting impact on the trucking industry and beyond and she is truly deserving of this prestigious honor.”

Tracy Rushing’s achievements are paving the way for the next generation of leaders in trucking, leaving a legacy of empowerment and progress.

Source: The Trucker and WIT

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This year, the finalists vying for Overdrive’s prestigious Small Fleet Champ awards are Hell Bent Xpress from South Dakota, C.W. Express based in Indiana, Paul Rissler Transportation from Missouri, and Brian Brewer Trucking located in DeGraff, Ohio.

Just like the challenges faced when evaluating semi-finalists in 2023, this year’s competition presented razor-thin margins among contenders. Each showcased remarkable trucking excellence, resilience, growth, and profitability despite the past year’s tough conditions. However, only two finalists will compete in each division (3-10 trucks and 11-30 trucks).

Congratulations to all four fleets making their way to Nashville, Tennessee, next month for the National Association of Small Trucking Companies’ annual conference, where the champions in each category will receive their title belt.

Celebrating Excellence in Small Fleets

Get to know this year’s finalists and learn from their inspiring stories. Congratulations are also in order for all our semi-finalists this year, who exemplify the many-hat-wearing nature of the profession. From specialized tanker operators to refrigerated produce haulers, these fleets show a masterful grasp of the industry’s complexities. Whether the owners still drive or not, their expertise shines through. Explore their stories through this link and consider entering the championship next year!

Division Finalists (3-10 Trucks)

Hell Bent Xpress, Aberdeen, South Dakota

Source: Overdrive

Jamie Hagen, owner of Hell Bent Xpress, has seen his business grow from a single truck in 2020 to eight by 2023, now totaling 11. Known for his efficiency, Hagen faces current market challenges by focusing on direct customer relationships. “We have focused on maintaining our relationship with customers and direct shippers, where we have more control over freight rates,” he shared. Discover more about Hell Bent Xpress in Jason Cannon’s detailed profile linked here.

Paul Rissler Transportation, California, Missouri

Source: Overdrive

Operating from Missouri, Paul and Michelle Rissler lead a fleet of six trucks, primarily serving Dutchland Refrigerated Transport. By maintaining their own ELD-exempt gliders and running a debt-free operation, the Risslers have optimized their profits and operations. This feature dives deeper into their successful practices.

Division Finalists (11-30 Trucks)

Brian Brewer Trucking, DeGraff, Ohio

Source: Overdrive

Brian Brewer Trucking, currently at 15 trucks, serves various local clients around Dayton and Columbus, Ohio. Brewer’s roots in auto racing have influenced his trucking business, which has more than doubled in size since early 2023. “It’s almost like banker’s hours in a way,” Brewer describes his drivers’ schedules. Learn how he expanded his fleet rapidly in a recent feature linked here.

C.W. Express, Sellersburg, Indiana

Source: Overdrive

C.W. Express, under Steve Wilson’s leadership, operates 17 trucks largely due to a strong collaboration with Avenger Logistics. Wilson’s expertise in diagnostics and team-building skills have been pivotal to his success, even in times of personal adversity. Overdrive’s feature highlights his remarkable resilience and business growth story.

Source: Overdrive

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