The top three finalists for the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award were recently announced from a field of 10 deserving military veterans.
The Fastport Trucking Track Mentoring Program, dedicated to selecting America’s leading rookie military veteran truck driver, settled on U.S. Army, Army Reserves Jimmy Reddell, who works with Stevens Transport; U.S. Marine James Rose who drives for PRIME Inc; and U.S. Army Christopher Slindee currently with Knight Transportation.
“Each of our three finalists achieved significant accomplishments during their military careers and are now excelling as professional truck drivers. It is always important to help our veterans make a smooth transition into civilian life, and the trucking industry certainly provides a key avenue for that objective,” Fastport president Brad Bentley reportedly said.
The three finalists were announced during a ceremony at the MHC Road Ready Center in Chillicothe, Ohio, after a recognition event and tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing facility. The Transition Trucking award recognizes military veterans who have successfully completed active duty and secured a good-paying position in one of the country’s fleet operations.
“Congratulations to our three finalists — Jimmy Reddell, James Rose, and Christopher Slindee — and to the other successful drivers who achieved Top 10 status in this special recognition program,” Kenworth’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing Jim Walenczak reportedly said. “Kenworth’s continuing participation is a way to thank our military veterans for their service and to encourage the trucking industry to offer them career opportunities and support.”
The iconic commercial motor vehicle manufacturer plans to award a Kenworth T680 with a 76-inch sleeper to the deserving winner. Having a top-of-the-line sleeper will likely open the door for the finalist to go out on their own and become an owner-operator. Kenworth worked with the Fastport Trucking Track Mentoring Program, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes Program to back the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program for a sixth consecutive year.
A popular vote will be conducted online from Oct. 28 until Veterans Day on Nov. 11. A Selection Committee will determine the winner and an announcement has been scheduled for Dec. 17 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
Sources: overdriveonline.com, ccjdigital.com
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