This award shines a spotlight on outstanding female drivers who set the bar high with impeccable safety records, strong leadership qualities, and a commitment to advancing the trucking industry. But this recognition is more than just about skill—it’s about celebrating women who inspire, mentor, and lead by example.

Who Can Be Nominated?

Women currently working as professional drivers in the trucking industry are eligible.

Recognition and Celebration Awaits

Finalists and the winner will be celebrated at the highly anticipated 2025 Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event. Scheduled during the Mid-America Trucking Show on March 28 in Louisville, Kentucky, this celebration is an opportunity to applaud the invaluable contributions of women drivers.

“The remarkable accomplishments of women on our team here at Walmart inspire us daily, and we know their successes are paving the way for more women to join the exciting world of trucking,” said Ryan McDaniel, vice president, Walmart Transportation. “Women in our business are not just driving trucks, they are fueling progress that is making the freight industry better, and we are honored to continue sponsoring Women In Trucking’s prestigious Driver of the Year Award.”

To qualify for the 2025 Driver of the Year Award, nominees must meet the following criteria:

• Professional Driving Experience: A minimum of two years in the profession.

• Safety and Excellence: A proven track record of safe, skilled, and professional driving.

• Advocacy in Trucking: Active involvement in mentorship or initiatives that support women in the industry.

• Industry Contributions: A history of making significant, positive impacts in the trucking community.

Nominations can be submitted through WIT’s official website (womenintrucking.org) by January 31, 2025.

“Recognizing the accomplishments of female drivers and the value they bring to the trucking profession is a key mission of WIT and we’re pleased to showcase their stories through this award,” said Jennifer Hedrick, WIT president and CEO.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Honor Industry Trailblazers

Do you know a woman driver who exemplifies excellence, leadership, and inspiration? Nominate her today to ensure her efforts and contributions to the trucking industry receive the recognition they deserve.

Source: Truckers News

Image: Women in Trucking

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For a long time, Walmart associates have admired the vital role of the company’s Private Fleet—a dedicated team exceeding 13,000 drivers who ensure timely and efficient delivery of goods. Many associates have shown interest in becoming drivers themselves. However, the financial and time requirements of obtaining a CDL often seemed daunting.

Enter Walmart’s Fleet Development program. Initially launched to offer supply chain associates a streamlined path to earn their CDL and join Walmart’s Private Fleet as drivers, this initiative is now extending its reach. Associates in retail stores, distribution hubs, fulfillment centers, and transport offices near participating transportation facilities can now apply for the Associate-to-Driver program.

This comprehensive 12-week training, guided by seasoned Walmart driving instructors, provides hands-on experience. Participants who complete the program and earn their CDL can step into one of the most desirable roles in the industry. Walmart notes that new drivers have the potential to earn up to $110,000 in their first year, with earnings increasing based on location and tenure.

Among the latest success stories is Levor Franklin, who completed his training in Dover, Delaware. He now fulfills his aspiration of being a Walmart truck driver.

Walmart drivers are trained to uphold standards of safety, courtesy, and pride in their work. This dedication to safety has been recognized by the American Trucking Association, which has awarded Walmart the title of Safest Fleet in the Over 250 Million Mile Division for six consecutive years. By offering premier training from the outset, Walmart not only cultivates a skilled team but also sustains high standards for safety and customer service.

This program offers mutual benefits. Associates can progress in their careers without leaving Walmart, the company strengthens its workforce, and customers continue to receive reliable service from one of the largest private fleets in the industry.

Aspiring drivers can find more information at drive4walmart.com.

Source: Walmart

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Walmart’s ascendancy is not solely based on fleet enhancement; the company has also dedicated considerable resources to its driver workforce. By elevating driver pay and introducing a comprehensive training program, Walmart is converting in-store and warehouse employees into professional drivers. The first participants from this initiative hit the roads last year, emphasizing Walmart’s commitment to cultivating talent from within.

This achievement signifies a noteworthy resurgence for Walmart, which last dominated the rankings in 2002, a year notable for the divestiture of its food service distribution arm, McLane Co., to Berkshire Hathaway. Despite this separation, McLane continues to be a formidable private fleet operator, currently ranked No. 8 on the list.

The latest Transport Topics list also reveals significant industry trends, especially regarding mergers and acquisitions. Dollar General, for instance, has made its inaugural appearance at No. 18 after expanding its fleet to more than 2,000 tractors, while The Home Depot enters the rankings at No. 50 post-acquisition of SRS Distribution.

Other newcomers to the list include Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Matheson Tri-Gas, Cheney Brothers, and AutoZone Inc. The meticulous compilation of this list by Transport Topics relies on data gathered from fleet surveys, discussions with company leadership, and public registration records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, ensuring comprehensive industry insights.

Source: Truckers Report & Transport Topics

Image: Transport Topics

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“This year’s award recipients exemplify the standards of the Safety Management Council,” said TXTA President and CEO John D. Esparza. “Their continued commitment to safety and the trucking industry makes them all ideal candidates to help promote and ensure safe practices on and off the road.”

This year’s outstanding award recipients include:

TXTA Driver of the Year: Robert Svoboda, Jr., sponsored by Roberts, Cunningham, & Stripling, LLP. This award recognizes the top truck driver in Texas, taking into account factors such as accident-free miles, consistency, and professionalism on the road. Not only does the winner represent TXTA nationally, but they also have a chance to compete for the title of national driver of the year.

Distinguished Safety Award: Don Baldridge, sponsored by Transafe Inc. and Bair Hilty, P.C. This award celebrates an individual who goes above and beyond in promoting motor fleet safety. Their commitment, enthusiasm, and leadership in protecting lives and property on the road make them a true safety champion.

C.H. Cheshire Safety Award: Rommel Garcia from the Houston Police Department (CVE Unit), sponsored by Commercial Fleet Data Systems. This award recognizes the contributions and support of law enforcement professionals in making Texas highways safer. Whether currently serving or retired, these individuals play a vital role in ensuring our roads are secure.

SMC Excellence in Service Award: Joe Colwell from Commercial Fleet Data Systems. This award celebrates individuals who demonstrate an exceptional dedication to serving SMC, the industry, their company, and the general public. From going above and beyond to providing outstanding service, Joe truly embodies the spirit of this award.

Source: Truckers News

Photo: Texas Trucking Association

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In order to attract employees to this new venture, Walmart has introduced highly competitive salaries, with first-year truck drivers earning up to $110,000. Additionally, they have established a comprehensive 12-week training program tailored specifically for Walmart and Sam’s Club store and warehouse workers. By providing this extensive training, Walmart ensures that their employees are well-prepared to take on the challenges of driving big rigs.

Recently, the first batch of graduates from this training program emerged from Walmart’s Sanger distribution center in Denton County, Texas. Among these success stories is Ashley Milacek, a 35-year-old former retail employee, whose decision to pursue a career as a truck driver will result in her income nearly doubling.

Walmart’s initiative not only helps to alleviate the truck driver shortage but also empowers their own workforce by creating new and lucrative opportunities within the company.

“I was sitting at my computer when I saw the offer and I just had to jump on it,” said Milacek. “I’m the first in my family to go down the trucker path. I never thought about being in this seat, but I wanted to put myself up to the challenge.”

Over 70 Walmart employees are graduating this week from specialized training centers across the country. Among them is Milacek, who has been working at the Gainesville Walmart since 2014. After various roles within the company, she decided to become a “Walmart Private Fleet Driver.”

Milacek is one of nine Walmart employees who successfully completed the program on July 28 at the Sanger training center in Texas, which is the retailer’s sole truck driver training center in the state.

So far, the program has trained and graduated 190 new drivers for Walmart. This is significant considering Walmart employs a total of 13,500 truck drivers. Upon completion, graduates of the program receive their commercial driver licenses.

During the training, Walmart provides accommodations for the students in a hotel and arranges transportation to and from the training center. Additionally, the participants continue to receive their regular pay during the training period.

According to the American Trucking Associations, the number of women in the trucking industry has reached an all-time high of 8.1%. This marks the seventh consecutive year of growth in female representation among professional drivers.

Despite the industry’s progress, there is still a shortage of truck drivers, with nearly 78,000 positions unfilled. This shortage persists, even as the pandemic and supply chain challenges become things of the past. Some attribute the ongoing driver shortage to high turnover rates in the industry. Furthermore, the shortage is particularly acute in the longer-haul, for-hire truckload market and is exacerbated by drivers who fail drug tests. In fact, the association estimates that the shortage could exceed 160,000 drivers by 2031.

Recognizing the need to attract and retain reliable drivers, Walmart has developed regional delivery territories that offer consecutive days off and weekly home time. This initiative aims to provide drivers with work-life balance and stability.

Fritz Keel, director of fleet development at Walmart, spearheaded the curriculum design for this program. Instead of traditional graduation attire, graduates will proudly wear official Walmart driver uniforms, including a blue-and-white Walmart trucker hat, white shirts adorned with the Walmart private fleet patch, and personalized patches displaying their names, transportation region, and the American flag.

These positive changes in the trucking industry have not only alleviated concerns about safety but have also sparked enthusiasm among prospective drivers.

Milacek, shared the newfound information with her concerned family in Anadarko, OK, and they are now thrilled about her career prospects.

She also has been hearing from curious former co-workers. “I tell them it’s a great opportunity and a phenomenal program,” she said.

Source: Transport Topics

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