The collaboration is designed to give trucking companies and industry professionals broader access to training programs focused on safety, operations, leadership, recruiting, and long-term business growth. By combining resources from both organizations, the initiative aims to make advanced training more widely available across Nebraska’s freight community.

Expanding Education Opportunities

The partnership introduces a larger catalog of learning programs that were previously available primarily through national channels. Through this arrangement, participants in Nebraska can now access the training library offered by the Truckload Carriers Association along with discounted pricing on many courses.

According to the Nebraska Trucking Association, the collaboration represents a new model for state-level partnerships focused on workforce development.

“The NTA is the first state trucking association to enter an educational partnership with TCA, one that provides even more essential professional development to Nebraska’s trucking community,” NTA said. “NTA members already have access to the Association’s robust training opportunities. Now, through this collaboration, NTA members and non-members alike will gain access to TCA’s professional development program catalog and receive exclusive discount pricing. This initiative ensures that Nebraska’s trucking professionals have the tools they need to lead with safety, efficiency, and innovation.”

Training Designed for Multiple Roles

The educational programs included in the partnership cover several key areas of trucking operations, ranging from small fleet management to executive leadership development.

For companies operating smaller fleets, Small Carrier University (SCU) offers coursework centered on operational efficiency, maintenance practices, and safety performance. The courses are delivered online, allowing participants to complete training from their office or home base.

Safety leadership is another focus of the program lineup. The Fundamentals of Safety Management course series includes seven on-demand classes designed to help both new and experienced safety professionals strengthen their understanding of compliance, risk management, and operational safety strategies.

Leadership development also plays a major role in the expanded training catalog. The Online Leadership Series, scheduled to run from April through September 2026, will include six live virtual sessions along with ten on-demand modules focused on everyday leadership decisions, communication strategies, and team management.

Recruitment and retention challenges are also addressed through the Online Recruitment & Retention Series, which explores hiring strategies and workforce retention practices in an increasingly competitive labor market.

In addition to these structured programs, participants will be able to access a library of more than 175 on-demand webinars covering a wide range of industry topics, including emerging technologies, regulatory issues, and human resources compliance.

Industry Leaders Highlight Workforce Investment

Leaders involved in the partnership say the initiative reflects a growing focus on strengthening the workforce behind trucking operations.

“This is such an exciting time to be part of the NTA,” said Kent Grisham, NTA association president and CEO. “With the construction of our new training center well underway, and now the addition of TCA and NATMI training opportunities, the trucking industry in Nebraska will truly be the safest and most productive in the country.”

The collaboration also reflects a broader effort to make professional development more accessible across the industry.

“Our goal is to make truckload-specific education accessible to every carrier, regardless of size,” said Elizabeth Nicholson, director of education & training, TCA. “By partnering with the NTA, we are strengthening the backbone of the industry by investing directly in its people.”

Registration Now Open

Registration for the professional development programs offered through the Truckload Carriers Association is now open here. The new partnership is expected to expand access to training opportunities while supporting long-term workforce development across the trucking industry.

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The newly created award recognizes transportation professionals who show an exceptional commitment to ongoing education and professional growth. While the honor is aimed at individual achievement, its impact reaches drivers directly by strengthening compliance, safety practices, and carrier operations that affect day-to-day life on the road.

Why This Award Matters to Drivers

Strong HR and compliance leadership plays a direct role in how drivers are recruited, supported, and retained. Policies around onboarding, hours of service, safety programs, and driver communication all begin with educated professionals behind the scenes. TCA created this award to highlight how continued learning improves real-world trucking jobs.

“Education is one of the biggest advantages a career can invest in, especially in HR and compliance, where the details matter,” said Mark Hill, CEO, PCS Software. “Congratulations to Tory McQueen of Parish Transport on earning the TCA Education Award and leading with a real commitment to safer, smarter operations.”

A Year of Heavy Lifting in Education

According to TCA, McQueen completed 130 hours of on-demand education throughout 2025. That level of coursework reflects the same discipline drivers apply to mastering new equipment, regulations, and routes.

Her efforts included earning the full “trifecta” of TCA professional certificates.
TCA Recruitment Certificate
TCA Retention Certificate
TCA Human Resources Certificate

Together, these credentials cover the full driver lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to long-term retention and compliance. That combination helps carriers build programs that respect drivers’ time, improve communication, and reduce costly turnover.

Recognition from Industry Leadership

“This is the very first year we’re presenting the TCA Education Award, and I couldn’t be more excited about recognizing such a deserving recipient,” said Tracy Rushing, executive director, safety and HR, RE Garrison, and chairperson, TCA’s Retention, Recruitment and Human Resources Committee. “What makes this special is their real commitment to lifelong learning, not just for themselves, but for the people they support every day. When we invest in education, we directly improve the driving job, and that’s exactly what this award is meant to celebrate.”

TCA also emphasized the broader value of McQueen’s achievement, noting that her approach to education provides a model for how carriers can improve operations, driver satisfaction, and workplace culture through structured learning.

Honored at the TCA Annual Convention

McQueen will be formally recognized during the Recruitment, Retention, and HR Committee Meeting on March 1 at the TCA Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida.

For drivers, awards like this signal an industry shift toward better-trained support teams, clearer policies, and stronger carrier leadership. When the people managing compliance and HR invest in education, drivers benefit through safer operations, more consistent standards, and a more professional work environment across the fleet.

Source: The Trucker

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This milestone is more than numbers—it’s a reflection of TCA’s continued support for education, family, and the future of trucking.

“The TCA Scholarship Fund remains one of the most valuable initiatives offered through TCA membership, providing an opportunity to give back and honor the legacy and future of the truckload industry,” said TCA Scholarship Fund Chairman Joey Hogan of Covenant Logistics. “In the face of economic challenges, we were able to provide over $176,000 in scholarship monies, which reflects TCA’s strong commitment to this important program.”

Supporting Trucking Families Since 1973

Established over five decades ago, the TCA Scholarship Fund has helped thousands of students pursue higher education. All applicants must be in good academic standing and connected to a TCA member company—whether through family, employment, or direct involvement.

Endowed Named Scholarships

Four-year university students received both named and standard awards. Here are the named scholarship recipients for 2025–26:

• Katie Pulliam – Greater Omaha Express, NAIT Scholarship – $6,250
• Aadya Menon – NFI Interactive Logistics, John Kaburick Scholarship – $4,500
• Michael Henretty Jr. – Werner Enterprises, Darrel Clark Wilson III Scholarship – $3,250
• Jorkaeff Nogales – Bennett Motor Express, Kai Norris Scholarship – $3,250
• Nicholas Farrell – Load One, Thomas Welby Scholarship – $3,250
• Joe Smith III – Western Dairy Transport, Stoney Reese Stubbs Scholarship – $3,250
• Kaden Buatte – Prime Inc., Robert Low Scholarship – $3,250
• Annika Waltenberg – Bison Transport, Robert D. Penner Scholarship – $3,250
• Jennifer Miranda – Tucker Freight Lines, Thomas R. Schilli Scholarship – $3,250
• Kalee O’Brien – Paschall Truck Lines, Thomas R. Schilli Scholarship – $3,250
• Jorleney Aguirre – Landstar Transportation Logistics, Keith Tuttle Scholarship – $3,250
• Gitali Jain – NFI Interactive Logistics, Tom Kretsinger, Jr. Scholarship – $3,250
• Emily Ritenour – Werner Enterprises, Bill Giroux Scholarship – $3,250
• Caleb Studdie – Central Oregon Truck Company, Bill Giroux Scholarship – $3,250
• Brianna Telles Fernandez – Covenant Transport Services, Bill Giroux Scholarship – $3,250

Four-Year College Scholarship Recipients – $2,725 Each

• Emma Bowden – Roehl Transport Inc.
• Kennedy Buatte – Prime Inc.
• Teigen Wormstadt – Fortune Transportation Company, Inc.
• Hong Han – Kriska Holdings
• Gurjaan Rai – Bison Transport
• Sebastian Ruiz – S&H Express
• Matthew Tlapanco – Knight-Swift Transportation
• Ganella Adams – Brown Trucking Co.
• Kaitlyn Huff – J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
• Gabrielle McClister – Landstar Transportation Logistics, Inc.
• Andrea Mistichelli – NFI Interactive Logistics
• Caleb Moore – J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
• Zachary Polubinski – Spur Freight / AIT
• Hannah Sherer – Knight-Swift Transportation
• Kathrinne Sugandi – Millis Transfer, Inc.
• Jack Rogers – Don Hummer Trucking Corp
• Alec Schaublin – Thomas E. Keller Trucking, Inc.
• Brandon Stice – CFI
• Uriel Aguillon – Hendrickson
• Cooper Calvert – Paschall Truck Lines, Inc.
• Parnoor Singh Gill – Bison Transport
• Isabella Ivins – TCI Transportation Services Inc.
• Robert Tolhurst – Bison Transport
• Antonio Verdugo – TCI Transportation Services Inc.
• Brett Faccio – Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc.
• Ethan Moore – Halvor Lines, Inc.
• Isaac Crespo – NFI Interactive Logistics
• Roberto Rodriguez – Landstar Transportation Logistics, Inc.
• Sadisha Widyalankara – Bison Transport
• Theresa Stephens – McLeod Software
• Kevin White – Prime Inc.
• Drew Merritt – Hendrickson
• Isilma Villalta – Roehl Transport Inc.
• Firas Elkhattabi – Boyle Transportation
• Chase Gugliuzza – TCI Transportation Services Inc.
• Jeremiah Mathew – Stevens Transport Inc.
• Logan Dudley – Knight-Swift Transportation
• Kendrick Brown – NFI Interactive Logistics
• Madeline Falknor – Fremont Contract Carriers, Inc.
• Lillian Maddox – Covenant Transport Services
• Isabella Yust – CFI

Two-Year College Scholarship Recipients – $2,000 Each

• Alanna Severson – Marten Transport, Ltd.
• Carson Kunze – Grand Island Express, Inc.
• Mabel Ornelas – Arlo G. Lott Trucking, Inc.
• Lucas Brooks – Givens Transportation Inc.
• Clare Phillips – Werner Enterprises, Inc.
• Jacob Greene – Covenant Transport Services

A Fair and Comprehensive Selection Process

Scholarships were awarded through an independent review facilitated by the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC). The selection committee evaluated students based on GPA, major, extracurricular involvement, work experience, and overall academic promise.

Source: The Trucker

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