Finalists for the 10th annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award were recently announced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program, Kenworth Truck Company, and Fastport.
The award recognizes military veterans who have successfully transitioned into professional truck driving careers. Following a thorough nomination and review process and culminating with a final public vote, the program will honor and reward America’s top rookie military veteran drivers.
The four finalists are:
Nicholas Baughan, U.S. Army (E-5) and Army Reserve, Werner Enterprises. From Nunica, Michigan, Baughan is a decorated U.S. Army veteran who served since 2004. Beginning his career as a military police officer, he later transitioned to Infantry and deployed multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond, earning numerous awards including the Purple Heart. With over two decades of service, Baughan held roles from team leader to senior intelligence sergeant, with assignments across Europe and South Korea. He is currently preparing to retire from the U.S. Army Reserve in January 2026.
Charles Jones Jr., U.S. Army (E-7), Roehl Transport. Sergeant First Class Jones (Ret.) graduated from high school in Indian Trail, North Carolina in 2004 and committed to the Army through the Delayed Entry Program. With over 20 years of service, he served as an unmanned aircraft systems operator, instructor operator, standards operator, and platoon sergeant, completing three combat deployments to Iraq and two rotations to South Korea. He graduated from Georgia Driving Academy in December 2024 and began his professional driving career with Roehl Transport in early 2025.
Macy Mattice, U.S. Army (E-4), Melton Truck Lines. Mattice is a U.S. Army veteran who served from 2010 to 2018 as an 88M motor transport operator, specializing in heavy equipment transportation. Today, she is a flatbed driver for Melton Truck Lines. Originally from Winter Springs, Florida, Mattice lives near Jacksonville.
Mark Scriven, U.S. Army (E-6), Stevens Transport. A U.S. Army veteran and former staff sergeant, Scriven served nine years as a Patriot Missile operator/maintainer, earning multiple Army achievement medals and recognition as a combat lifesaver. Today, he is a driver and trainer with Stevens Transport.
In Ohio last week, 12 semi-finalists were guests at a reception held at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. The following day, the Kenworth truck manufacturing plant in Chillicothe hosted the event where finalists were announced.
Public voting for the award will be held from Nov. 1 through Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The winner will be revealed on Dec. 12 during a special event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
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.
While the grand prize winner will drive away in a state-of-the-art Kenworth T680 truck, the program also ensures every finalist is recognized. The runner-up will receive a $10,000 award and remaining finalists will each receive a $5,000 prize.
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