Mike O’Connell Trucking’s Top Rookie Contest

The search is on to award 2019’s Mike O’Connell Trucking’s Top Rookie Award. Truckers News and its contest partners are looking for the best professional rookie truck driver in the U.S., and the nomination process is open.

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.

So, nine years ago, Randall-Reilly, the parent company of Truckers News, pursued that suggestion, and today the Trucking’s Top Rookie contest presented by Truckers News focuses attention on the professionalism of drivers in the industry for less than a year. It also promotes truck driving as a viable career choice during a time when there is a shortage of drivers.

We’re working with driver training schools, fleets, industry associations, and suppliers to recognize the best new drivers. Trucking’s Top Rookie will be chosen from 10 finalists. The winner will be announced at the Great American Truck Show in Dallas in August, and go home with $10,000 and a package of prizes from our sponsors.

Any CDL holder who has graduated from a PTDI certified, or NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school within the past year and has been employed by a trucking company for less than one year, is eligible for the award.

All nominations are due in to Truckers News by midnight on Monday, July 1, 2019. An expert panel of judges, which includes representatives from motor carriers, schools (both public and private), suppliers and trade associations, will identify 10 finalists, who will be notified by July 26, 2019.

Among the criteria, they will evaluate when considering the Trucking’s Top Rookie award will be:

â—Ź Availability for loads
â—Ź On time delivery
â—Ź Highway safety performance
â—Ź Customer relations
â—Ź Work record
â—Ź Non-job related activities

All nominations are due in to Truckers News by the close of business at midnight on Monday, July 1, 2019.

An expert panel of judges, which includes representatives from motor carriers, schools (both public and private), suppliers and trade associations, will identify 10 finalists, who will be notified by July 26, 2019.

 

Nominate someone to be trucking’s top rookie

Need to see all the questions before starting the application? Click here.

Step 1 of 6

  • Nominator Information

  • Top Rookie Information

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Upload a copy of your MVR to your entry.
  • Upload a high-resolution, large headshot for the contest.
  • Training Information

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Employment

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Previous Employment

  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Driver Statements

    The rookie nominee should write one or two brief paragraphs to answer the questions below.
  • Recommendations

    Include TWO RECOMMENDATIONS: A recommendation from the nominator and at least one additional recommendation, which describe, in 500 words or less, share why this nominee should be honored as the Rookie of the Year. Include examples in such areas as:

    • Performance history (ie. availability for loads, on-time delivery, safety performance)
    • Customer service
    • Challenges overcome
    • Leadership qualities
  • Drop files here or
    Word Documents or PDFs will be fine.
  • Supplemental Information

  • Drop files here or
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