The 2024 semi-finalists in the Transition Trucking Award program have been announced.
Kenworth, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative proudly announce the semi-finalists for the 2024 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award.
Launched in 2016 to recognize the achievements of veterans transitioning into the transportation industry, this year’s program semi-finalists represent multiple branches of the United States Military, including National Guard and Reserve components.
The grand prize is a T680 Signature Edition truck, equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine rated at 455 horsepower, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles.
The Kenworth T680 features a Diamond VIT interior in slate gray with madrona accents and includes the latest in driver amenities. Both the driver and passenger seats are GT703 leather seats that are fully heated and cooled. The 76-inch sleeper includes space for a microwave and TV, a factory-installed fridge, and a rotating work table. The T680 also includes the latest in driver assistance systems, including Kenworth's Digital Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Auto Go, and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering.
All 5 branches of the U.S. Armed Forces were represented with this year's nominations
About 65% of the nominees were are are apprentices to transition into civilian careers
Every year more training schools nominate excellent students and this year 15% of all nominations came from schools
Of the incredible nominees, 10 semi-finalists will continue on in the award program. Those semi-finalists are:
Jadarion Blakemore
U.S. Army (E-5)
CRST
Troops Into Transportation
Jadarion Blakemore is a professional truck driver who thrives on the open road. Jadarion has achieved a successful track record thus far in his career. In addition to his career achievements, he has completed nursing school, though he decided to go back to driving as he came to love it while serving. Jadarion values time with his family and enjoys staying active. His personal goals are to become an owner-operator so he can grow in the transportation industry and run his own fleet.
Quantae Dozier
U.S. Army (E-4)
Epes Transport System, LLC
Troops Into Transportation
Quantae Dozier was born in Georgetown, South Carolina where he graduated at the tender age of sixteen. A year after his graduation Quantae pursued a career in the military by enlisting into the Army in 2018 spending 4 1/2 years on active duty at Camp Liberty. While enlisted he earned the National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal, and driver and Mechanic Badge. In his spare time Quantae enjoys making music with his Army friends.
Richard Flirt III
U.S. Navy (E-4),
Legacy Express
Fox Valley Technical College
Richard Flirt, a retired Navy veteran, is an individual who has displayed a commitment to everything he does and passion to get the job completed right the first time. Richard was hired on the spot with Legacy Express LLC, a veteran-owned and-operated trucking company six days after securing his CDL A with Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI. Richard is recently married and is looking forward to his family's future based on his commitment to the trucking industry.
Brian Ferguson
U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard (E-7)
Melton Truck Lines
Troops Into Transportation
After serving in the Army for three years, he joined the Texas National Guard for over ten years. Brian reenlisted into the Army serving 17 years until he retired with a combined 31 years of service. Brian deployed seven times overseas and domestically. Of those deployments, three were combat deployments. Brian pursued trucking because he enjoys traveling and the hard work of flatbed driving.
Justin Sisler
U.S. Marine Corps (E-2)
Prime Inc.
Roadmaster Drivers School
Justin Sisler is from Bladenboro, North Carolina. A father of two, his daughter Raven is in heavy equipment repair trade school and his four-year-old son Conor is starting school this August. Justin married his wife Amanda after separating from the Marine Corps in 2008. They were team drivers this year with Conor until school started. Justin joined the military to support his family and to use the education benefits it offered at the time.
Douglas Couch
U.S. Navy (E-5)
Roehl Transport, Inc.
Roehl Transport Training
Douglas Couch served in the United States Navy from 2012-2016 here he was onboard the USS Nimitz CVN 68. Douglas working as a Culinary Specialist 2nd Class. In that role he oversaw 50 sailors, feeding the crew onboard of over 5,000 Sailors and Marines while being forward deployed. Since transitioning into the trucking industry Douglas has driven over 120,000 miles and has shown a true and relentless dedication to safety.
Mark Joseph
U.S. Navy and U.S. Army National Guard (O-3)
Stevens Transport
Troops Into Transportation)
Mark’s father served in the U S Navy as an officer and flight surgeon aboard the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier CV-63. His father encouraged his sons to give a minimum of 4 years of service to their country, and he enlisted and served a total of 8 years in the US Navy on active duty. Utilizing his G.I. Bill to pay for college, he graduated from the ROTC program at Tarleton State University. Upon graduation, he accepted an officer’s commission in the rank of 2LT Ordinance Corps in the Army National Guard, where he continues to proudly serve today.
Cory Troxell
U.S. Army (E-7)
Stevens Transport
Phoenix Truck Driving Institute
Cory Troxell was born into service with his grandfather, father, and uncle serving with distinguished careers in the Army. Motivated by a strong sense of family pride, service and patriotism following the events of 9/11, Cory enlisted into the Army in 2004 immediately following high school. In 2009, Cory was severely wounded in an enemy IED attack eventually earning him the Purple Heart and continued to serve until his retirement in 2024. Drawing similarities to his decision to join the Army, he followed a career path already cut by his family.
Shawn Haley
U.S. Marine Corps (E-4)
Veriha Trucking LLC
Truck Driving Institute
Shawn Haley served in the Marine Corps from 1987 to 1991. During this time, he served as security for President Ronald Reagan and the First Lady Nancy Reagan as well as President George H. W. Bush and the First Lady Barbara Bush. Shawn became an entrepreneur who ran his successful business for 20 years. At that time, he decided he needed a new challenge, so he became a regional truck driver at Veriha where he enjoys seeing this great country. During this career journey, Shawn was able to reconnect with his high school sweetheart after 27 years and they are currently engaged.
William Taylor
U.S. Coast Guard (E-7)
Werner Enterprises
Roadmaster Drivers School
Born in Honolulu, HI., William lived in many locations across the United States during his parents' U.S. Navy careers. He graduated from high school in 1998 and worked in the gas and oil industry until joining the U.S. Coast Guard in 2000. William served in various assignments to include Port Security and Harbor Defense, Search and Rescue, Coast Guard Cutter deployments for drug interdiction / maritime defense, and served as a Recruiter. He retired with 20 years of service in 2020 as a Chief Petty Officer, Machinery Technician. William now drives for Werner Enterprises on the Anheuser-Busch account in Columbus, Ohio.
“This year’s group of ‘Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award’ semi-finalists are inspiring examples of accomplished military veterans who are making a successful transition into the trucking industry,” said Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing. “Kenworth is honored to mark our ninth year of participation in the program with FASTPORT and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative. I look forward to meeting all the esteemed semi-finalists this fall and presenting the T680 keys to a deserving veteran in Washington, D.C. at the end of the year.”
As part of the ninth annual award program, each semi-finalist will attend a ceremony at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum on Sept. 25th in Columbus, Ohio. The following day will include a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant where semi-finalists will be recognized and finalists will be announced.
“The Transition Trucking award campaign highlights the impact veterans are making in the transportation industry and introduces a new generation of veterans to the real economic opportunity a career in trucking can represent,” said Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes and a vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
"We are immensely proud to recognize this diverse group, including a large number of drivers in Registered Apprenticeship Programs," said Brad Bentley, president of FASTPORT, Inc. "These remarkable drivers assure us that the future of this industry is in excellent hands, and we look forward to saluting the heroes who navigate the highways of opportunity that trucking offers.”
Finalists and the ultimate winner will be part of a greatly expanded veteran-focused week that includes a Veteran-Ready Summit on (December 11-14) the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award announcement on December 13th, Employment Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support Signing Ceremony later that afternoon, and Wreaths Across America on December 14th.
A public vote will occur online from November 1st until Veteran’s Day. This voting is an important determiner for the award’s Selection Committee, which makes the ultimate choice for the next Transition Trucking award winner.