The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), and its partners Overdrive and Truckers News, are pleased to announce the 2019 Company Driver of the Year and 2019 Owner Operator of the Year finalists. Each year, the Driver of the Year Contests recognize company and owner operator professional truck drivers who provide safe and reliable transportation of North America’s goods.
The top six finalists were selected based on their demonstrated ability to operate safely on public highways, their efforts to enhance the public image of the trucking industry, and their contributions to their local communities.
Thanks to the generosity of our long-time sponsors, Cummins Inc. and Love’s Travel Stops, each grand prize winner will receive $25,000, while the two runners-up in each division will win $2,500.
The following owner operators and company drivers will now compete for the prestigious grand prize in their respective categories:
2019 Company Driver of the Year Contest finalists:
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Robie Jensen of Fremont, Nebraska, who drives for Fremont Contract Carriers, Inc. also of Fremont, Nebraska;
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Randy Kuryk of Sicamous, British Columbia, who drives for Bison Transport of Winnipeg, Manitoba; and
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Don Lewis of Republic, Missouri, who drives for Wilson Logistics of Springfield, Missouri.
2019 Owner Operator of the Year Contest finalists:
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Jesse Dennis of Springfield, Missouri who is leased to Prime Inc. also of Springfield, Missouri;
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Kevin Kocmich of Litchfield, Minnesota, who is leased to Diamond Transportation System, Inc. of Racine, Wisconsin; and
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Robert and Tracy Roth of Coldwater, Ontario, who are leased to Erb International of New Hamburg, Ontario.
Each owner-operator finalist will be profiled in Overdrive and each company driver finalist will be profiled in Truckers News. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to highlight these drivers in these national media outlets and hope that the exposure will heighten reader awareness about TCA and the Driver of the Year competition, while outlining best practices that other drivers may wish to emulate.
“These contests continue to bring forth the best of the best in our industry year-after-year” said TCA President John Lyboldt. “From being a mentor behind the wheel, to being a leader in their community, these drivers are so deserving of this recognition. I look forward to seeing which driver takes home the grand prize at Truckload 2020.”
“Randall-Reilly and its Overdrive and Truckers News brands are proud to honor these drivers who represent the finest men and women in the truckload industry,” said Randall-Reilly’s Director of Trucking Sales Emily Larson. “Our nation’s highly-skilled professional drivers don’t get enough credit, so we’re happy to partner with TCA and our sponsors on this program.”
Grand prize winners will be announced at TCA’s Annual Convention – Truckload 2020: Orlando – at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
To be a part of the unveiling, make plans to join us for the event. View full program — which includes keynote and featured speakers, insightful panelists, networking receptions, exhibit hall information, and more — at www.tca2020.com.
For more information on the Driver of the Year Contests, please visit www.truckload.org/DOY.