2 individuals and husband and wife team to deliver Capitol Christmas Tree

Werner Enterprises was selected as the hauler for the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas, a 63’ tall fir from the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia to Washington, D.C.

The company has chosen four drivers — two indiviuals and a husband wife team — to deliver the tree as well as thousands of handmade ornaments made by West Virginians along with smaller trees for military families stationed at Joint Base Andrews donated by presenting sponsor, 84 Lumber.

The drivers making the deliveries include:

Jesus DavilaJesus Davila joined Werner in 2018 and has more than 550,000 accident-free miles. As a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of 12 years, he was deployed more than six times including during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraq Freedom. He received multiple awards in the military including an Infantry Purple Heart with two personal decorations with valor and two combat action ribbons. He is part of Werner’s Operation Freedom Fleet for military veterans and connects with students in truck driving schools across the country. Davila serves as an ATA America’s Road Team Captain, Werner Road Team Captain and Driver Leader. He also is part of the Dollar Elite Team and Leader Advisory Council at Werner. Davila was also nominated by Werner for the Texas Driver of the Year Award and the TA Citizen Driver Award. When he is not on the road, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Michelle, and their children.

Davila said, “I’m excited about the opportunity to partake in such a prestigious event that not many professional drivers have the chance to do. The trucking industry plays a vital part in keeping America moving and without the drivers, goods would not reach the consumers that need them. This event shows that professional drivers are needed in many capacities of the industry, both large and small.”

Tim DeanTim Dean joined Werner in 1988 and became only the second professional driver in Werner’s history to achieve five million accident-free miles. In 2009-2010 he served as an ATA America’s Road Team Captain and has been a Werner Road Team Captain and mentor since 2005. Dean has competed in the Nebraska Truck Driving Championships for 22 years, placing first in his class nine times and was Grand Champion in 2012 and 2018. He was awarded the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance IDEA (International Driver Excellence Award) in 2019. In addition, he was the Nebraska Trucking Association Driver of the year in 2019. When he is not on the road, he enjoys spending time with his family in Griswold, Iowa.

“It’s both an honor and a privilege to participate in the Capitol Christmas Tree project,” said Dean. “During my 35-year career with Werner as a professional driver, the selection for this project is at the top of the list among the incredible opportunities I’ve experienced. With approximately 20 percent of our workforce at Werner being military veterans, I’m also proud to support those who served our country during this special opportunity.”

Gina JonesGina Jones joined Werner in 2012 and has achieved more than one million accident-free miles. She serves as both an ATA America’s Road Team Captain and a Werner Road Team Captain. As an advocate for women in the trucking industry, Jones actively participates in Women in Motion, an initiative of the American Trucking Associations. She has also been named Team Driver of the Month at Werner and has received nominations for the company’s Acceleration Award along with the Women in Trucking Association’s Female Driver of the Year Award. In 2023, she was a finalist for the TA Citizen Driver Award. She and her husband, Steve, are team drivers and members of Werner’s Operation Freedom Fleet and connects with students in truck driving schools across the country. When she is not on the road, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and riding her Harley.

“What an amazing opportunity for Werner Enterprises, the first large carrier, to be selected to be a part of this event,” she said. “I’m extremely grateful to Werner for allowing me to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Steve JonesSteve Jones joined Werner in 2011 and has achieved more than one million accident-free miles. As a U.S. Army veteran of seven years, he and his wife, Gina, are part of Werner’s Operation Freedom Fleet. Jones serves as a Werner Road Team Captain, Driver Leader and participates in various other committees throughout the company. He has also been named Team Driver of the Month at Werner and was nominated for the company’s Acceleration Award. When he is not on the road, he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and riding his Harley.

He said, “Considering there are only a handful of professional drivers and carriers in the country that have had this amazing opportunity, Werner’s selection as a whole along with my personal selection to carry out this project is extremely humbling. It will truly be an experience I never forget.”