Over the next two years, these drivers will represent the trucking industry across the country. Their work includes attending industry events, engaging with communities, visiting schools, and speaking with policymakers to promote safe driving while sharing firsthand insight into trucking as a career.

“This group of professional drivers have earned their place at the top through years of hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to safety on the road,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “They represent a vital segment of the American workforce, one whose impact is felt by nearly every person in the country. As these Captains take to the road with a new mission and an important message, we are incredibly proud of their achievements and confident the nation will gain valuable insights from their leadership and the example they set for our industry.”

A Longstanding Program Focused on Safety

America’s Road Team was established in 1986 to recognize professional truck drivers who have demonstrated exceptional safety records and a commitment to representing the industry with integrity. With the support of their companies, Captains volunteer their time to participate in public outreach efforts that help explain the role trucking plays in everyday life.

The 2026 2027 class represents 13 states and includes four military veterans, one independent contractor, and drivers from both small fleets and large national carriers. Together, the group brings 51 million miles of safe driving experience to the program.

Volvo Trucks Celebrates 25 Years Supporting America’s Road Team

Volvo Trucks remains the program’s sponsor and will mark 25 years of partnership with America’s Road Team this October. During their two-year term, the Captains will travel the country in ATA’s Interstate One Image Truck, a Volvo VNL 860 pulling an American flag themed trailer. The trailer features a mobile classroom and a state of the art truck driving simulator used for education and outreach.

“Volvo Trucks is honored to continue our long-standing sponsorship of America’s Road Team and to take part in this week’s selection of the 2026–2027 Captains,” said Volvo Trucks North America President Peter Voorhoeve. “This year at MCE marks 25 years of Volvo’s proud support of America’s Road Team, a milestone that reflects our deep respect for professional drivers and our commitment to safety, professionalism, and leadership across the trucking industry. America’s Road Team is one of the most visible groups of professional truck drivers in the country, and we believe their hard work and dedication pays.”

How the 2026 2027 Captains Were Selected

ATA conducted the final round of selections from January 18 through January 20 at its headquarters in Washington, DC. During this process, drivers were evaluated on more than just miles logged or years of experience.

Candidates were judged on their ability to clearly communicate about trucking, safety, and transportation issues, as well as their overall driving records. The selection panel included trucking industry executives and members of the trade press, ensuring the final group reflected both operational excellence and the ability to represent the industry publicly.

Once selected, the new Captains received their signature navy blue America’s Road Team blazers and immediately began their work as ambassadors. Their focus over the next two years will be on improving public understanding of trucking and reinforcing the industry’s commitment to safety and professionalism.

Supporting the Mission of America’s Road Team

Trucking professionals and industry partners can support the work of America’s Road Team by following the Captains throughout their two year term and engaging with them at major industry events, conferences, and community visits. ATA also encourages industry members to follow the team’s journey on Facebook, where updates from the road and event appearances are shared.

“America’s Road Team Captains exemplify the highest standards of safety in our industry, helping to elevate trucking’s image by sharing their experiences and leading by example,” said ATA Chief Operating Officer Dan Horvath. “These respected leaders craft compelling safety messages and demonstrate how the trucking industry offers meaningful, rewarding careers. Through their participation in community events, conferences, and industry engagements, they fulfill the mission of America’s Road Team. We congratulate this new class for their dedication to excellence and for keeping our nation moving safely.”

The 2026- 2027 America’s Road Team Captains

1. Cardell Benfield Jr., Titan Transfer, Mississippi
2. Victor Blackburn, Prime Inc., Florida
3. Antonio Cruz, Groendyke Transport, Florida
4. Jason Damron, Convoy Systems, Kansas
5. Nathan Evans, Tyson Foods, Arkansas
6. Bruce Hoyes, ABF Freight Systems, Missouri
7. Izet Kanarevic, Werner Enterprises, Missouri
8. Matthew McKnew, ABF Freight Systems, California
9. Matt Meadows, ABF Freight Systems, West Virginia
10. Myles Piotrowski, FedEx Freight, Indiana
11. Selvin Ramirez, XPO, Rhode Island
12. Jackie Reed, FedEx Freight, Mississippi
13. Jeffrey Reed, United Parcel Service, New Mexico
14. Miguel Sanchez, United Parcel Service, Florida
15. Matthew Simon, FedEx Freight, Minnesota
16. Omar Stebbin, XPO, Florida
17. David Swierenga, FedEx Freight, Florida
18. Dave Thomas, ABF Freight Systems, Iowa
19. Kenneth Tolliver, Hoffman Transportation, Kentucky
20. Ryan Ybarra, United Parcel Service, California

To learn more about the 2026 2027 America’s Road Team, visit the official America’s Road Team webpage.

Source: American Trucking Associations

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The award, created in 2010 and sponsored this year by TrueBlue’s Centerline Drivers, honors women who are changing trucking through leadership, innovation, and advocacy.

WIT put it this way: “This year’s finalists represent a range of leadership roles across the industry who have made a measurable impact on their organizations and communities.”

The 2025 Finalists

Here are the four leaders being recognized:

• Cindy Ellers, chief customer officer at Fleetworthy
  • Dee Dee Cox, vice president of human resources at Old Dominion Freight Line
  • Katerina Jones, chief marketing officer at Fleet Advantage
  • Leah Shaver, president and CEO of The National Transportation Institute

Cindy Ellers – Supporting Fleets and Standing Up for Women

Ellers oversees customer strategy and growth at Fleetworthy, a company focused on fleet safety, compliance, and toll management. Since joining in 2021, she has helped the company grow fast and manage several acquisitions without losing focus on service.

She has spent more than 15 years leading customer-facing teams and previously worked with compliance tech at RDC, which later became part of Moody’s Corp.

Ellers does not stop at operations. She also created Fleetworthy’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee and launched internal Women in Leadership panels to help women climb in an industry that is still mostly male. She is known for mentoring others and helping them build careers in transportation and logistics.

Dee Dee Cox – Building Careers from the Ground Up

With three decades in HR and leadership, Cox now leads human resources at Old Dominion. She manages everything from hiring and employee support to training and company culture.

She helped create and expand key programs that help people move up in the industry, including the Management Trainee Program, Supervisor Development Program, internships, and apprenticeships. Those efforts boosted retention and brought more women and underrepresented groups into trucking careers.

When she started, her HR team was one person. Now it is nearly 40 across the country. Cox also built a leadership curriculum that ties in Old Dominion’s core values, long-term vision, and family culture. Her work focuses on helping more people, especially women, see trucking as a place to grow.

Katerina Jones – Driving Growth and Safety Awareness

Jones brings over 20 years of experience in marketing and client relations. At Fleet Advantage, she helped turn the company into a billion-dollar brand and plays a direct role when new private and for-hire fleets come on board.

As part of the senior leadership team, she is involved in shaping operations, strategy, human resources, and company culture. She also acts as a safety liaison and leads demonstrations that show fleets how advanced safety tech can protect drivers.

Her work across the industry has earned her several awards, including “Top Woman to Watch in Transportation” from WIT and “Top Female Professional” from Supply Chain & Demand Chain Executive. Beyond her day job, she is active in charitable work and industry councils.

Leah Shaver – Championing Driver Pay and Retention

Shaver leads The National Transportation Institute, best known for tracking driver pay and helping carriers improve compensation and retention. Her work centers on turning data into real strategies that keep drivers in the industry.

With nearly 25 years in trucking, she has helped fleets address pay structure, driver career paths, and workforce planning. She is also active in efforts to bring more women and younger people into trucking.

Shaver served three terms on WIT’s Board of Directors, sits on the Next Generation in Trucking Association board, and contributes to several capacity and fleet advisory groups.

Drivers may also recognize her from SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Radio, where she speaks directly with drivers about pay, policy, and industry changes. She is widely seen as a leading voice for driver engagement and career stability.

What’s Next

All four finalists will speak during a panel at the WIT Accelerate Conference and Expo in Dallas, Texas, taking place November 9 through 12. The winner will be announced after the discussion.

If you want to look back at who took home the award in 2024, WIT has that story available online.

Sources: WIT and The Trucker

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A Major Shift for Truck Parking in NYC

Under the newly passed legislation, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) will implement overnight parking options in industrial business areas. For years, truck drivers have struggled with a lack of suitable parking spots in New York City, forcing them to park in areas ill-equipped for heavy-duty vehicles. This issue has posed challenges for operators and raised safety concerns for nearby neighborhoods.

“For far too long, the shortage of overnight parking for truck drivers in New York City has forced trucks to park in areas where they shouldn’t be,” said Zach Miller, vice president of government affairs for the Trucking Association of New York (TANY). “This problem has been exacerbated by next-day and same-day demand and strict federal Hours-of-Service regulations. This creates an unsafe environment for both drivers and the surrounding communities. We want to thank City Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, and the bill’s co-sponsors for their commitment to advancing commonsense solutions to address existing challenges around overnight truck parking.”

With this new mandate, truck drivers will soon have better access to secure, legal parking options, helping reduce the challenges caused by overnight parking shortages.

Building on the Success of the Overnight Truck Parking Pilot

The legislation builds on the foundation laid by NYC DOT’s Overnight Truck Parking Pilot. This program, which introduced metered parking within industrial business zones, demonstrated the potential of structured overnight parking to improve freight logistics across the city. The pilot served as a testing ground, paving the way for this larger-scale solution.

The program aims to enhance resource efficiency by designating parking spaces for commercial trucks in areas already zoned for industrial purposes. According to industry experts, this approach holds the promise of optimizing freight movement while simultaneously lessening the negative impact on non-industrial neighborhoods.

“Trucks are the backbone of the New York City economy—responsible for transporting almost 90% of goods—but there is only one parking space for every 11 trucks in the U.S. and even worse in dense urban areas such as New York City,” Miller said. “Providing a safe place to park is not just a kind gesture; it has the power to improve efficiency, reduce costs for drivers, and preserve neighborhoods. It’s a simple change that helps the entire city run better—and we commend our city leaders for working to make this a reality.”

Benefits Beyond the Trucking Industry

This change isn’t just a win for truck drivers—it benefits New York’s economy and local communities, too. By providing legal and accessible parking, the legislation seeks to enhance the overall safety and quality of life in neighborhoods historically affected by trucks parked in unauthorized areas. Fewer trucks parked on residential streets will mean reduced overnight noise and increased safety for pedestrians.

Additionally, improving parking options for truck drivers can lead to gains in supply chain efficiency, potentially resulting in cost savings that ripple through to consumers. Delivered goods may arrive faster and more reliably, contributing to heightened economic activity.

A Long-Awaited Move Forward

The lack of adequate truck parking has long been a pain point for the transportation industry, both in New York and nationwide. With federal Hours-of-Service regulations requiring drivers to rest for specific periods, finding a safe, legal place to park has become overwhelming in densely populated urban areas.

Industry leaders are optimistic that this legislation will set a precedent for other cities facing similar challenges. The collaboration between the NYC Council, NYC DOT, and advocates like the Trucking Association of New York demonstrates the kind of cooperative action necessary for tackling complex urban issues.

What Lies Ahead

With the passage of this legislation, the next step involves the NYC Department of Transportation’s official rollout of overnight parking zones. Stakeholders will be watching closely to ensure the program’s success and its alignment with community needs.

This policy marks a meaningful step toward solving the truck parking shortage, with wide-ranging benefits for drivers, city residents, and the local economy. It’s proof that smart urban planning can create win-win solutions when all voices are heard and considered.

Source: The Trucker

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Meet Lori, a Visionary for Progress

With over 34 years of experience, Lori has dedicated her career to driving innovation in the trucking industry. From working with private and for-hire fleets to her pivotal role in business development within a Fortune 100 company, Lori has done it all. Today, she stands at the helm of a leading female-owned driver-lead generation company with a remarkable 80% female workforce. Her mission is clear—to enhance the trucking industry’s image and advocate for drivers nationwide.

Recent highlights from Lori’s career include building an online trucking community of over one million followers and creating content that reaches up to 50 million people monthly. She launched initiatives like Driver.jobs, which connects drivers with the right opportunities, and the Haul of Fame, which celebrates the unsung heroes of the industry. Lori also partnered with NFI’s SheDrives initiative to empower women in trucking and spearheaded the development of an innovative platform that matches drivers and companies based on tailored needs. Through her unwavering leadership, Lori is paving the way for the next generation of women in trucking.

Katy, the Advocate Every Driver Needs

Katy is all about putting drivers first. Her career began in driver retention, evolved into recruitment marketing, and now focuses on operations at Truck Drivers USA, where she ensures that every initiative, campaign, and message resonates with drivers. She’s instrumental in fostering the company’s driver-centric culture, where the well-being and needs of those on the road are always the top priority.

Katy has delivered significant results during her time at TDUSA, including leading the company’s driver-focused messaging and building critical backend processes for long-term growth. She also developed the company’s streamlined onboarding approach, making it one of the most efficient in the industry. Recently, she launched the Thank a Driver program, which honors the hard work of America’s drivers. Katy also dedicates her time to mentoring new associates, sharing her insight, and helping them grow into leaders in their own right. Her forward-thinking approach and empathy have made her a vital force in the trucking community.

Taylor, Building Bridges That Drive Change

Taylor’s background and family ties in the trucking industry uniquely position her to excel in her role at Truck Drivers USA. Originally trained as a licensed counselor, Taylor’s people-first skills have helped her cultivate meaningful relationships with clients, offering solutions beyond surface-level needs. For her, trucking isn’t just a career; it’s a network of individuals and communities she’s deeply passionate about serving.

Taylor’s commitment is reflected in her impressive track record, which includes earning Top Salesperson honors and holding the company’s highest client retention rate. She has also played a crucial role in connecting Truck Drivers USA with initiatives like Wreaths Across America, strengthening the bond between trucking and veteran communities. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Taylor actively mentors new sales team members, sharing strategies and encouraging growth. Her dedication to drivers, veterans, and women in trucking is evident in all that she does.

Championing Women Who Lead

The dedicated women of Truck Drivers USA are more than just leaders; they are innovative minds and compassionate mentors shaping the future of the trucking industry. Their dedication to drivers, passion for breaking barriers, and relentless pursuit of positive change have made a lasting impact on the industry.

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Lori, Katy, Taylor, and all the women transforming the trucking landscape. Together, they’re not just leading today’s trucking workforce but building a future where the industry is more inclusive, innovative, and driver-focused than ever before.

The post Celebrating the Women of Truck Drivers USA: Leadership, Innovation, and Impact appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Kirsy O., a dedicated driver recruitment manager at NFI Industries, brings over a decade of experience in trucking to the She Drives initiative. She’s a passionate advocate for creating opportunities for women in logistics and transportation, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, communication, and community. Her hands-on approach is helping transform the industry into a more supportive space for women drivers.

Kirsy believes that fostering diversity is about more than buzzwords—it’s about meaningful action. As she explained during a recent podcast appearance, NFI is building a culture where women can thrive both professionally and personally. “You need to make sure that you have a seat at the table and that you’re talking about what is important to you,” Kirsy shared. Through She Drives, this vision is becoming a reality by offering a platform for open conversations and actionable change.

One of the standout efforts Kirsy highlighted was NFI’s recent health and wellness event, where a mobile mammogram unit was brought to one of their terminals. This initiative provided a vital service not only for women drivers but also for other employees in transportation. “It’s way bigger than what we think,” Kirsy said, emphasizing that addressing the needs of drivers means going beyond the basics to support their overall well-being.

When it comes to recruitment, Kirsy knows the questions women are asking: Can I do this job and still care for my family? Her answer is an enthusiastic yes. NFI prioritizes family-friendly scheduling, with about 90% of their fleet offering roles that allow drivers to be home every day. Kirsy and her team actively ensure transparency, letting drivers know what to expect and addressing their concerns directly. “You owe it to them to let them know exactly where they’re going and what challenges they might face,” she said.

At the core of She Drives is a commitment to building a supportive network where women drivers can share resources and advice. Kirsy shared how this community is vital in helping drivers navigate their day-to-day lives. From discussing safe rest stops to balancing work and home life, She Drives fosters connections that empower drivers to succeed on their own terms.

As Kirsy puts it, “Not everything is one-size-fits-all. We need to find out what’s important to you and take it from there.”

To hear more from Kirsy O. and learn about her inspiring work with the She Drives initiative, tune in to her full interview here.

To learn more about the She Drives initiative and opportunities at NFI Industries, visit nfiindustries.com.

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