Kenworth News
Brandon Meredith of Slay Transportation Awarded Kenworth 100th Anniversary T680 Signature Edition Truck in Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award Program
For the eighth consecutive year, Kenworth teamed with Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program to find America’s top rookie military veteran who made the successful transition into a civilian truck driving career. Distinguished Army veteran Brandon Meredith received this year’s “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award during a special ceremony held recently at the American Trucking Associations’ headquarters in Washington, D.C.
In recognition of Kenworth’s 100th anniversary, Brandon was awarded a T680 Signature Edition truck equipped with a 76-inch high-roof sleeper. Additionally, the truck has the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine and was the first T680 Signature Edition produced at Kenworth’s Chillicothe, Ohio plant in honor of the company’s 100th anniversary. With the Kenworth T680 Signature Edition truck, Brandon is well on his way to accomplishing his goal of becoming a successful owner-operator.
“It was an honor to present Brandon Meredith with the keys to the 100th Anniversary T680 Signature Edition on behalf of Kenworth and our employees. We thank him for his distinguished military service, and wish all the best in his trucking career,” said Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing.
“Brandon has an impressive military record and his dedication to excellence has continued into his chosen civilian career as a professional truck driver. He is an undeniable ambassador for the program and will be an excellent representative for his fellow veterans in the industry,” said Brad Bentley, president of Fastport.
Under the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program, all five finalists participated in the Washington, D.C. awards ceremony where their military service was honored. The first runner-up, Ondrae Meyers/U.S. Marine Corps/CRST, was awarded a $10,000 prize, and finalists Jessica White/U.S. Army/Stevens Transport; LaTravis Wilcox/U.S. Marine Corps/Prime, Inc.; Todd Kraus/U.S. Army/Werner Enterprises received $5,000 each.
For more information, visit, www.transitiontrucking.org.
About Fastport, Inc.
Fastport Inc. solves America's toughest recruiting challenges through research, technology, and people. Fastport is also a U.S. Department of Labor Industry Intermediary and a part of the Centers of Excellence to support registered apprenticeship development and sustainability. For more information about Fastport and Registered Apprenticeships, visit www.fastport.com or www.nationalapprenticeship.org.
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF)
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.
About Hiring Our Heroes
Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) is a 501(c)3 organization under the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The nonprofit launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vast network of state and local chambers and other strategic partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, HOH has helped hundreds of thousands of veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment through its comprehensive training and hiring events, fellowship programs, and online tools. HOH programs and services are available in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and on military installations around the world. For more information on programming and initiatives: HiringOurHeroes.org; @HiringOurHeroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Kenworth
Kenworth Truck Company, founded in 1923, is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Throughout 2023, Kenworth is celebrating its historic 100th anniversary. To learn more about the 100th anniversary celebration visit www.Kenworth100.com and to watch the making of Kenworth’s 100th Anniversary T680 Signature Edition Truck, visit Kenworth 100 Stories - Making of the T680 Special Edition - YouTube. Kenworth is “Driving the Next 100 Years.” Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.
Brandon Meredith (second from left) with his wife, Dani, and daughters, Kamryn and Kylie, in front of the Kenworth T680 Signature Edition.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Following a 20-year career in the U.S. Army, Meredith retired as a Sergeant First Class (SFC) with marketable skills and could have pursued many paths, but instead chose to follow his childhood dream of driving a tractor trailer. Sadly, Meredith’s father lost his life while operating a commercial vehicle so being a professional driver is a tribute to his memory. Meredith trained at Fayetteville Technical Community College and is currently a tanker driver and delivery professional with Slay Transportation Co.Photo courtesy of U.S. Chamber of Commerce
In recognition of Kenworth’s 100th anniversary, Brandon was awarded a T680 Signature Edition truck equipped with a 76-inch high-roof sleeper. Additionally, the truck has the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine and was the first T680 Signature Edition produced at Kenworth’s Chillicothe, Ohio plant in honor of the company’s 100th anniversary. With the Kenworth T680 Signature Edition truck, Brandon is well on his way to accomplishing his goal of becoming a successful owner-operator.
Brandon Meredith
Photo courtesy of U.S. Chamber of Commerce
“Veterans are a special breed of human beings. I’ve made some lifelong friends throughout this award. I’m a third-generation truck driver now. My father lost his life driving a truck, and while that was a hard time in my life, this profession is something I’ve always wanted to pursue. I couldn’t have asked for a better year,” said Meredith. Photo courtesy of U.S. Chamber of Commerce
“It was an honor to present Brandon Meredith with the keys to the 100th Anniversary T680 Signature Edition on behalf of Kenworth and our employees. We thank him for his distinguished military service, and wish all the best in his trucking career,” said Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing.
From left: Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing; Medal of Honor Recipient retired Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha; Eric Eversole, Hiring Our Heroes president and U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president; Todd Kraus, Werner Enterprises; Jessica White, Stevens Transport; LaTravis Wilcox, Prime Inc.; Brad Bentley, FASTPORT president; Ondrae Meyers, CRST; Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award winner Brandon Meredith, Slay Transport, with his family.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Chamber of Commerce
“I’m inspired by the stories of our veterans, like our finalists who represent the very best of our country. America is still leading the way. We are still the beacon on the hill, the shining light that is creating hope and opportunity for so many people across the world, and the Kenworth T680 Brandon is driving away in today is simply one example of how we are leading the way,” said Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes.Photo courtesy of U.S. Chamber of Commerce
“Brandon has an impressive military record and his dedication to excellence has continued into his chosen civilian career as a professional truck driver. He is an undeniable ambassador for the program and will be an excellent representative for his fellow veterans in the industry,” said Brad Bentley, president of Fastport.
Under the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program, all five finalists participated in the Washington, D.C. awards ceremony where their military service was honored. The first runner-up, Ondrae Meyers/U.S. Marine Corps/CRST, was awarded a $10,000 prize, and finalists Jessica White/U.S. Army/Stevens Transport; LaTravis Wilcox/U.S. Marine Corps/Prime, Inc.; Todd Kraus/U.S. Army/Werner Enterprises received $5,000 each.
For more information, visit, www.transitiontrucking.org.
About Fastport, Inc.
Fastport Inc. solves America's toughest recruiting challenges through research, technology, and people. Fastport is also a U.S. Department of Labor Industry Intermediary and a part of the Centers of Excellence to support registered apprenticeship development and sustainability. For more information about Fastport and Registered Apprenticeships, visit www.fastport.com or www.nationalapprenticeship.org.
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF)
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.
About Hiring Our Heroes
Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) is a 501(c)3 organization under the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The nonprofit launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vast network of state and local chambers and other strategic partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, HOH has helped hundreds of thousands of veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment through its comprehensive training and hiring events, fellowship programs, and online tools. HOH programs and services are available in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and on military installations around the world. For more information on programming and initiatives: HiringOurHeroes.org; @HiringOurHeroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Kenworth
Kenworth Truck Company, founded in 1923, is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Throughout 2023, Kenworth is celebrating its historic 100th anniversary. To learn more about the 100th anniversary celebration visit www.Kenworth100.com and to watch the making of Kenworth’s 100th Anniversary T680 Signature Edition Truck, visit Kenworth 100 Stories - Making of the T680 Special Edition - YouTube. Kenworth is “Driving the Next 100 Years.” Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.