Kenworth, FASTPORT and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative are again partnering in the search for America’s top rookie military veteran driver who made the successful transition to the trucking industry following military service.
Nominations for the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award are now open. The deadline to submit them is July 31.
Under the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program, Kenworth will provide the top award for the eighth consecutive year. In recognition of Kenworth’s 100th anniversary, this year’s award is a T680 Signature Edition Anniversary truck. The T680 Signature Edition is 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.
To qualify, drivers must meet eligibility requirements as specified in the official Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award rules, including:
- Be a legal resident of the continental United States and a military veteran or current/former member of the National Guard or Reserves
- Graduated from PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school, with a valid CDL
- Have been employed by any for-hire carrier or private fleet that has pledged to hire veterans and hired as a CDL driver after January 1, 2022.
The top 10 semi-finalists will be announced on Sept. 1. Finalists will be invited to Columbus, Ohio to tour the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and attend a reception, followed by a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant and MHC Road Ready Center, where the top three finalists will be announced. Public voting of the three finalists will begin Oct. 27 and continue for two weeks. On Dec. 15, finalists will gather at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where the final award announcement will be made, and the winner will drive home in the Kenworth T680 Signature Edition.
“Every year we see a life changed because of this contest and I don’t think it can get any better but each year it does. Kenworth outdid themselves by providing this incredible T680 Special Edition Anniversary Edition truck,” said Brad Bentley, FASTPORT president. “In honor of Kenworth’s 100th anniversary this year, our goal is to receive 100 nominations, and we are excited to award this truck to a deserving driver who has made the successful transition to the trucking industry following military service.”
Full criteria and online nomination forms are available now on the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” website.
