Now in its 11th year, the annual program recognizes veterans who have demonstrated leadership, professionalism, and a commitment to safety after entering the trucking industry.

Meet the 2026 Elite 11

The 2026 semi-finalists were selected from nominations submitted by trucking carriers, CDL training schools, private fleets and individuals nationwide. This year’s group represents four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The 2026 Elite 11 includes:

• Jeffrey Barber, U.S. Army, Prime Inc.
• Brandon Ward, U.S. Navy, Werner Enterprises
• Mohammad Arzola, U.S. Marine Corps, H-E-B
• Juan Rosado Lozada, U.S. Marine Corps, Roehl Transport
• Kishawn Forbes, U.S. Navy, Melton Truck Lines
• Gary W. Williams, U.S. Army, Stevens Transport
• Monica Brooks-Buck, U.S. Army, Werner Enterprises
• Jenn Wilken, U.S. Army, Prime Inc.
• Daryus Jones, U.S. Army, Anheuser-Busch
• Daniel Doss, U.S. Air Force, Melton Truck Lines
• Michael R. Bivens, U.S. Marine Corps, Stevens Transport

Several of the semi-finalists completed their CDL training through U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs, reflecting the continued role apprenticeship pathways play in helping veterans transition into trucking careers.

Registered Apprenticeships Continue to Grow

According to the program’s organizers, about 60% of this year’s nominations came from drivers who are currently participating in or have completed a Registered Apprenticeship program. Five members of the Elite 11 are active apprentices.

Organizers say the apprenticeship model continues to provide veterans with a structured pathway into the trucking industry while helping carriers develop skilled professional drivers.

Winner Will Receive a New Kenworth T680

The overall winner will receive a new Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain, including the PACCAR MX-13 engine, TX-12 automated transmission and DX-40 tandem rear axles.

The truck also includes DigitalVision Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Auto Go, Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering, a factory-installed refrigerator and several driver comfort features.

What’s Next?

The semi-finalists will be recognized Sept. 22 and 23 at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio. They will also tour Kenworth’s manufacturing plant in Chillicothe, where the finalists will be announced.

Public voting is scheduled for Nov. 1 through Nov. 11, with the results serving as one factor considered by the selection committee.

The 2026 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award winner will be announced Dec. 14 during the Veteran Ready Summit at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

For more information about the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award, visit the program’s official website.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 11, 2026

Source: The Trucker

Image Source: Kenworth

The post Kenworth Announces 11 Semi-Finalists for 2026 Transition Trucking Driving for Excellence Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Trucker Media Group and PodWheels announced they will launch a series of feature stories and podcast episodes covering the 2026 Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence Award, following nominees throughout the competition and sharing the stories behind their transition from military service to professional trucking.

Recognizing Veterans Entering the Trucking Industry

Launched in 2015 through a partnership between Kenworth, FASTPORT and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program, the Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence Award recognizes military veterans who have successfully transitioned into careers as professional truck drivers.

Each year, employers and CDL training providers nominate rookie veteran drivers who have demonstrated professionalism, safety, and dedication early in their trucking careers.

How the Competition Works

Nominations for the 2026 award opened earlier this year, with employers and credentialing institutions submitting candidates from across the country.

The selection process includes:

August: The “Elite 11” semifinalists are announced.
September: Finalists are selected during events in Columbus, Ohio.
December: One veteran receives the 2026 Driving For Excellence Award along with the keys to a new Kenworth T680.

The program has become one of the trucking industry’s best-known recognitions for military veterans beginning careers in commercial driving.

PodWheels and The Trucker Expand Coverage

Beginning in August and continuing through December, PodWheels plans to release approximately 20 to 25 podcast episodes featuring interviews with semifinalists, finalists, and industry leaders connected to the program.

Founder and executive producer Greg Thompson said the series is designed to let nominees share their own stories while encouraging other veterans to consider trucking as a post-military career. Thompson will also contribute feature articles to TheTrucker.com, expanding on many of the conversations featured in the podcast series.

Onsite Coverage Planned

PodWheels will also provide onsite coverage during September from the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, where the finalists will be announced, as well as activities at Kenworth’s Chillicothe, Ohio, manufacturing plant. Coverage is expected to continue through the presentation of the new Kenworth T680 to the 2026 award recipient in December.

Supporting Veteran Career Transitions

Since its launch more than a decade ago, Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence has highlighted veterans who have successfully built careers in trucking after military service. Through expanded podcast interviews and written features, the new partnership aims to introduce more drivers and industry professionals to the award while showcasing the experiences of the veterans competing for this year’s honor.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 10, 2026

Source: The Trucker

The post PodWheels and The Trucker to Spotlight 2026 Transition Trucking Driving for Excellence Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The coverage is scheduled to begin in August and will follow this year’s award program through the selection of the winner in December.

Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence was launched in 2015 by Kenworth, FASTPORT, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program to recognize military veterans who have successfully transitioned into professional trucking careers.

Series Will Follow the 2026 Award Program

According to the press release, PodWheels plans to produce between 20 and 25 podcast episodes documenting the 2026 competition, while The Trucker will publish a series of feature articles written by PodWheels founder and executive producer Greg Thompson.

The organizations said the coverage will begin with the announcement of this year’s “Elite 11” semifinalists in early August and continue through the presentation of the award in December.

As part of the project, Thompson plans to interview each of the 11 semifinalists for PodWheels’ Destinations podcast series. Those interviews will also serve as the basis for feature stories appearing on TheTrucker.com.

Coverage Will Include Key Transition Trucking Events

The press release states that PodWheels will travel to Columbus, Ohio, in September to cover events recognizing the semifinalists at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, along with activities at Kenworth’s manufacturing facility in Chillicothe, where this year’s finalists will be announced.

The winner of the 2026 Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence Award will receive a new Kenworth T680 during the program’s awards presentation in December.

Program Continues to Highlight Veterans Entering Trucking

For more than a decade, the Transition Trucking program has recognized military veterans beginning careers in the trucking industry. The annual selection process starts with nominations submitted by motor carriers and CDL training providers before being narrowed to the Elite 11 semifinalists, followed by a group of finalists announced later in the year.

In the press release, representatives from PodWheels, The Trucker Media Group, and FASTPORT said the expanded coverage is intended to bring greater visibility to the award program while sharing the personal stories of veteran drivers making the transition into the trucking industry.

Podcast episodes will be distributed through PodWheels.com and major podcast platforms, while related feature stories will appear on TheTrucker.com.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 3, 2026

Source: EIN Presswire

The post PodWheels and The Trucker Announce Coverage of Transition Trucking’s Driving for Excellence Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.