The award, sponsored by Great West Casualty Company, highlights individuals, companies, and organizations that elevate the trucking industry’s image through safety, professionalism, and community involvement.

Antoine Sadler: A Career of Commitment and Miles

Antoine Sadler is a second-generation truck driver with a career spanning 29 years and more than 2.7 million safe driving miles. His dedication goes beyond the cab: Sadler participates in North Carolina’s Road Team, Walmart’s Road Team, and America’s Road Team.

He has competed in numerous truck driving championships, demonstrating both skill and pride in his craft. Outside of driving, Sadler has been active in the Trucking Association of Tennessee, serving on the board since 2021, helping launch the Man to Man campaign, and maintaining the TAT Freedom Drivers Project trailer. His volunteer work includes supporting Special Olympics, National Night Out, and Samaritan’s Feet.

Trucking Association of New York: Building the Next Generation of Drivers

The Trucking Association of New York (TANY) has been making a real difference through its Community Supervision initiative, helping more than 55 people earn their commercial driver’s licenses since 2023. By connecting individuals with stable, well-paying careers, TANY strengthens both the lives of participants and the trucking workforce with trained, motivated drivers.

Since 2018, TANY has also supported the Transportation Club at the Charter School for Applied Technologies High School in Buffalo. What started as a small program has grown into a thriving hub where students gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to transportation careers.

“Each year, the Mike Russell Award highlights the creativity and dedication of those who work tirelessly to share our industry’s story,” said Nikki Thomas, VP of Industry Affairs for ATA. “This year’s recipients have gone above and beyond in showcasing the essential role trucking plays in our daily lives and the pride that drives our workforce.”

Why This Matters for Drivers

For truckers on the road, awards like this reinforce the value of professionalism, safe driving, and community engagement. From mentoring the next generation to volunteering locally, both Sadler and TANY exemplify how truck drivers can make a lasting impact beyond the cab.

Image Source: ATA

Source: Truckers News

The post Walmart Driver and Trucking Association of New York Honored for Promoting Trucking Excellence appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Utley is the vice president of government services for Bennett Family of Companies and vice chairman of ATA’s Government Freight Conference. Before trucking, he dedicated nearly 30 years to the U.S. Army, where he learned the kind of discipline and teamwork that later carried over into his work at Bennett.

“Jim served in the Army for nearly three decades, and following his extraordinary service to our nation, he brought his skill, dedication, and fortitude to trucking,” said Ed Gilroy, ATA chief advocacy and public affairs officer. “Jim leads by example, encouraging his colleagues and inspiring the next generation of truckers. His contributions to our advocacy efforts have been indispensable to achieving results that benefit our entire industry.”

At Bennett, Utley’s work centers on improving how carriers interact with the Department of Defense, especially around base access for drivers. He’s also focused on policies that treat drivers with respect and make the movement of sensitive freight safer for everyone on the road.

The ATA noted that Utley played a key role in helping move forward the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act, which aims to fix the outdated credentialing system that has frustrated truckers for years.

Beyond policy, Utley has been a strong voice for the independent contractor model, and he supports programs that bring new people into the industry through ATA’s Women In Motion and LEAD ATA initiatives.

The Cathy Evans Highway to Victory Award is named after longtime ATA lobbyist Cathy Evans and is presented annually to a member who’s made a lasting mark on the Federation’s advocacy work at both state and federal levels.

Previous honorees include well-known industry leaders such as Stormie Janzen of Total Transportation of Mississippi, John Chipman Jr. of Chipman Relocation & Logistics, Mike Card of Combined Transport Inc., Robert Low of Prime Inc., Randy Guillot of Triple G Express, Robert Haag of Perfect Transportation, Greer Woodruff of JB Hunt, Derek Leathers of Werner Enterprises, and Brian Parke of Maine Motor Transport Association.

For Utley, the award reflects not just personal achievement but a reminder of what keeps the industry strong: people who care enough to push for better roads, smarter policies, and more respect for professional drivers.

Image Source: ATA

Other Source: The Trucker

The post Jim Utley Honored with ATA’s Cathy Evans Highway to Victory Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.