Kenworth, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative today announced 12 semi-finalists for the 2025 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award.
Established in 2016, the award honors the exceptional achievements of veterans transitioning into careers in the transportation industry. This year’s semi-finalists represent a wide range of U.S. military service branches, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.
The semi-finalists include:
- Kathleen (Kat) Carreto, U.S. Army National Guard (E-5), Roehl Transport (Trained by Roehl Transport, Inc.)
- Bradley Lecky, U.S. Army (E-4), Crawford Electric, a Sonepar USA Company (Trained by Troops Into Transportation)
- Federico Hudson, U.S. Air Force (E-7), Van Wyk, Inc. (Trained by The CDL School)
- Gaylon Hensley, U.S. Army (E-7), Melton Truck Lines (Trained by Central Tech)
- Daniel Hemphill, U.S. Army (E-4), Wayne R. West Trucking (Trained by Del Mar College Transportation Services)
- Mark Scriven, U.S. Army (E-6), Stevens Transport (Trained by HDS Truck Driving School)
- Joseph Barotti, U.S. Air Force (E-6), U.S. Marine Corps, Werner Enterprises (Trained by Roadmaster Drivers School)
- Nicholas Baughan, U.S. Army (E-5) and Army Reserve, Werner Enterprises (Trained by Into Transportation)
- Macy Mattice, U.S. Army (E-4), Melton Truck Lines (Trained by Jones Technical Institute)
- Ryan Gordon, U.S. Army (E-5), Prime, Inc. (Trained by Phoenix Truck Driving School)
- Precious Cannon-Scott, Air National Guard, (E-4) Prime, Inc. (Trained by Tulsa Technology)
- Charles Jones, Jr, U.S. Army (E-7), Roehl Transport (Trained by Georgia Driving Academy)
Under the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program, Kenworth will provide the grand prize for the tenth consecutive year. This year’s award is a T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles.
“This year’s ‘Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence’ award semi-finalists exemplify the dedication, leadership, and commitment to service that military veterans bring to the trucking industry,” said Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing. “Kenworth is proud to partner with Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative for the tenth year, and we look forward to recognizing the distinguished semi-finalists who continue to serve our country through excellence behind the wheel.”
As part of the 10th annual award program, each semi-finalist will attend a ceremony at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum on Sept. 18 in Columbus, Ohio. The following day will include a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant where semi-finalists will be recognized, and finalists will be announced.
Finalists and the ultimate winner will be part of a veteran-focused week that includes a Veteran-Ready Summit, and award announcement on Dec. 12.
A public vote will occur online from Nov. 1 until Veteran’s Day. This voting is an important determiner for the award’s Selection Committee, which makes the ultimate choice for the next Transition Trucking award winner.
For more information, visit the Transition Trucking website (www.transitiontrucking.org).
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