Top Four Finalists Named as Search For Top Rookie Military Veteran Truck Driver Narrows

Kenworth has teamed with the FASTPORT Trucking Track Mentoring Program and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes Program to find America’s top rookie military veteran, who has made the successful transition from active duty to driving for a commercial fleet.

From left are Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director; and the four finalists in the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program -- Quinton Ward / U.S. Army / Werner Enterprises; Mordaunt “Platt” Brabner / U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy / TMC Transportation; Summar Hanks / Air Force / U.S. Xpress; and Christopher Young / U.S. Army / Stevens Transport.

The top four finalists in the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program were named as America’s top rookie military drivers at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. Kenworth has again donated The Driver’s Truck™ – a fully-loaded Kenworth T680 Advantage with a 76-inch sleeper and PACCAR MX-13 engine, to serve as the program’s recognition award.

The top four, with their branches of service and employers, are:

-- Mordaunt “Platt” Brabner / U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy / TMC Transportation
-- Summar Hanks / Air Force / U.S. Xpress
-- Quinton Ward / U.S. Army / Werner Enterprises
-- Christopher Young / U.S. Army / Stevens Transport

“Kenworth is donating a T680 Advantage for the third consecutive year to acknowledge and thank our military veterans for their service. It is important for the trucking industry to continue its on-going efforts to provide support and career opportunities to our veterans,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “Congratulations to finalists Platt Brabner, Summar Hanks, Quinton Ward and Christopher Young, and to the other six successful drivers who made the Top 10.”

The Top 10 finalists in the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program gather on the stage at the Great American Trucking Show as the top four finalists are announced.

“This year’s four finalists in the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program have achieved significant accomplishments in their military careers, and now, as professional truck drivers. We urge trucking companies to reach out and give a helping hand to our many veterans, who are striving to make a smooth transition back into civilian life,” said Brad Bentley FASTPORT president.

Other truck drivers, who achieved the Top 10 finalists list and were recognized at GATS, are:

-- Toby Hunt / U.S. Army and U.S. Navy / Prime, Inc.
-- Jeremiah King / U.S. Navy / PAM Transport
-- Tilford Sereal / U.S. Navy / TMC Transportation
-- Ricardo Sumrall / U.S. Navy / Melton Truck Lines
-- Phillip “Tom” Vargo / U.S. Navy / Roehl Transport
-- Brian “Kelley” Ward / U.S. Navy / Veriha Trucking

From left, in front row, are Quinton Ward / U.S. Army / Werner Enterprises; Christopher Young / U.S. Army / Stevens Transport; Toby Hunt / U.S. Army and U.S. Navy / Prime, Inc.; Summar Hanks / Air Force / U.S. Xpress; and Phillip “Tom” Vargo / U.S. Navy / Roehl Transport. From left, in back row, are: Ricardo Sumrall / U.S. Navy / Melton Truck Lines; -- Brian “Kelley” Ward / U.S. Navy / Veriha Trucking; Jeremiah King / U.S. Navy / PAM Transport; Tilford Sereal / U.S. Navy / TMC Transportation; and Mordaunt “Platt” Brabner / U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy / TMC Transportation. The 10 drivers were this year’s finalists in the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program.

Drivers were nominated by trucking companies that made a hiring commitment and pledge to hire veterans on www.truckingtrack.org or, by members of the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools, or Commercial Vehicle Training Association-member school.

All the drivers were recognized at the President George W. Bush Library during a tour and reception. The winner will be announced Dec. 14 in Washington, D.C. during a ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Washington, D.C.

For further information on the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award program, please visit www.transitiontrucking.org.

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Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth's Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.