Meet the finalists for Trucking’s Top Rookie Award

The Great American Trucking Show, which opens in Dallas Thursday, is, according to its tagline, “Where Trucking Improves.”

And, improvement and excellence will be on display Friday at 1:30 p.m. on the American Strong Stage in Hall “A” of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center when the Mike O’Connell Trucking’s Top Rookie Award is presented by Truckers News.

The finalists will be introduced and the winner of the $10,000 grand prize will be announced. This year’s finalists, where they’re from, who they drive for and where they received their CDL include:

James Bell: Stevensville, Montana; Jim Palmer Trucking; Sage Truck Driving School

Platt Brabner: Coupland, Texas; TMC Transportation; Roadmaster Drivers School

Adam Cobb: Deltona, Florida; Celadon Trucking; Sage Truck Driving School

Matthew Donahue: Weedsport, New York; H.O. Wolding; National Tractor Trailer School

David Drummond: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Melton Truck Lines; Allstate Careers

Terrence Goodau: Springfield, Missouri; Tri-State Motor Transit; Midwest Technical Institute

Larry Maser: McKinney, Texas; Stevens Transport; Stevens Training Academy

Darrell Philpott: Martinsville, Virginia; Epes Transportation Systems; CDS Tractor Trailer Training

Quinton Ward: Westville, Florida; Werner Enterprises; U.S Truck Driving School

Partnering with Truckers News in the search for Trucking’s Top Rookie are the three national organizations overseeing truck driver training:

  • Commercial Vehicle Training Association
  • National Association Of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools
  • Professional Truck Driver Institute

Sponsors giving prizes to the finalists include:

  • RoadPro Family of Brands
  • Cobra
  • Rand McNally

Trucking’s Top Rookie winner receives:

  • $10,000 cash
  • More than $1,000 worth of DAS Products merchandise including a BlueParrott B450XT headset, RoadPro saucepan, Garmin Speak, Rand McNally tablet with GPS and dash cam, Plantronics earbuds, Black Canyon Hi-Impact gloves, Black Canyon canvas backpack, and a Road King 5640 CB radio and mic
  • ClearDryve 200 two-in-one headset and stereo headphones and a Deluxe Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas from Rand McNally
  • A 29 LX MAX CB radio and a Dash 2308 Super HD Dash Cam with iRadar from Cobra
  • A custom plaque from Award Company of America
  • Feature story in Truckers News
  • Interview on Red Eye Radio Network with Eric Harley

The other nine finalists will receive:

  • $1,000 cash
  • $100 worth of DAS Products merchandise
  • ClearDryve 200 two-in-one headset and stereo headphones from Rand McNally
  • A Dash 2308 Super HD Dash Cam with iRadar from Cobra
  • A custom plaque from Award Company of America

Recognizing the top rookie driver was the idea of the late Mike O’Connell, who was formerly the executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association. He believed that honoring a top rookie driver helped show new drivers they are appreciated by the trucking industry.

David Drummond: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Melton Truck Lines; Allstate CareersDavid Drummond: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Melton Truck Lines; Allstate Careers

Terrence Goodau: Springfield, Missouri; Tri-State Motor Transit; Midwest Technical InstituteTerrence Goodau: Springfield, Missouri; Tri-State Motor Transit; Midwest Technical Institute

Partner Insights
Information to advance your business from industry suppliers

James Bell: Stevensville, Montana; Jim Palmer Trucking; Sage Truck Driving SchoolJames Bell: Stevensville, Montana; Jim Palmer Trucking; Sage Truck Driving School

Matthew Donahue: Weedsport, New York; H.O. Wolding; National Tractor Trailer SchoolMatthew Donahue: Weedsport, New York; H.O. Wolding; National Tractor Trailer School

Platt Brabner: Coupland, Texas; TMC Transportation; Roadmaster Drivers SchoolPlatt Brabner: Coupland, Texas; TMC Transportation; Roadmaster Drivers School

Quinton Ward: Westville, Florida; Werner Enterprises; U.S Truck Driving SchoolQuinton Ward: Westville, Florida; Werner Enterprises; U.S Truck Driving School

Darrell Philpott: Martinsville, Virginia; Epes Transportation Systems; CDS Tractor Trailer TrainingDarrell Philpott: Martinsville, Virginia; Epes Transportation Systems; CDS Tractor Trailer Training

Larry Maser: McKinney, Texas; Stevens Transport; Stevens Training AcademyLarry Maser: McKinney, Texas; Stevens Transport; Stevens Training Academy

Angela and Adam Cobb: Deltona, Florida; Celadon Trucking; Sage Truck Driving SchoolAngela and Adam Cobb: Deltona, Florida; Celadon Trucking; Sage Truck Driving School