The recognition highlights drivers who consistently combine safe operation with mentorship, industry involvement, and long-term performance.

What is the TA Citizen Driver award?

The TA Citizen Driver award is an annual recognition program created by TravelCenters of America to honor professional drivers who demonstrate excellence in safety, leadership, and community involvement.

The award focuses on more than miles driven. It highlights drivers who influence others through mentorship, safety advocacy, and participation in industry programs.

This program is designed to recognize both performance behind the wheel and contribution to the broader trucking community.

Who were the 2026 TA Citizen Driver award winners?

The 2026 recipients are Steven Brand and Bruce Jones. Both drivers were recognized for long-term safety records, leadership roles, and contributions to driver development and industry programs.

Their selection was announced during the Mid-America Trucking Show.

Both honorees represent a combination of consistent safety performance and strong industry engagement.

Steven Brand: long-term safety and mentorship in trucking

Steven Brand has 36 years of experience and nearly 5 million crash-free miles. He has spent close to 30 years with FedEx Freight, where he is known as a mentor and resource for other drivers.

Beyond his driving career, Brand has coached participants in the Ohio Truck Driving Championships and supported youth and safety-focused programs across the industry.

His recognition reflects both sustained safe driving and a strong commitment to mentoring other drivers.

Bruce Jones: military background, safety record, and leadership role

Bruce Jones has accumulated more than 4 million crash- and ticket-free miles over 28 years of driving. He is a third-generation driver and Marine Corps veteran with more than 1 million safe miles in tanker operations.

He currently drives for Hoffman Transportation and has received multiple industry recognitions, including Illinois Driver of the Year in 2024 and a Grand Champion Elite Eight Finalist placement the same year.

Jones also serves on his company’s driver advisory board, contributing directly to safety initiatives and operational improvements.

His career reflects a blend of high-level safety performance and active involvement in improving driver programs.

How are Citizen Driver winners recognized?

TA will hold dedication ceremonies later in the year to honor the 2026 winners. Steven Brand will be recognized in London, while Bruce Jones will be recognized in Wilmington.

In addition to public recognition, TA is donating $5,000 to Truckers Against Trafficking on behalf of the award recipients.

Recognition for winners includes both ceremonial events and charitable contributions tied to industry causes.

What is the purpose of the Citizen Driver program?

The Citizen Driver program launched in 2013 to recognize professional drivers who demonstrate excellence in safety, leadership, and community involvement.

Since its launch, the program has honored 40 drivers. Candidates are evaluated by an independent panel that considers both career achievements and contributions outside the cab.

The program exists to highlight drivers whose influence extends beyond mileage and daily routes.

Why does driver recognition matter in trucking?

Driver recognition programs like Citizen Driver reinforce the importance of safety, mentorship, and leadership across the industry.

They emphasize that success is measured not only in miles driven but also in the impact drivers have on peers, training, and safety culture.

Programs like this help highlight the human side of trucking and the leadership role experienced drivers play.

Frequently asked questions

What is the TA Citizen Driver award?
The TA Citizen Driver award is an annual recognition from TravelCenters of America honoring drivers for safety, leadership, and community involvement. It highlights both professional performance and contributions beyond driving.

Who won the 2026 Citizen Driver awards?
The 2026 winners are Steven Brand and Bruce Jones, recognized during the Mid-America Trucking Show.

How many miles have the winners driven?
Steven Brand has nearly 5 million crash-free miles, while Bruce Jones has more than 4 million crash- and ticket-free miles.

What makes a driver eligible for Citizen Driver recognition?
Drivers are selected based on safety records, leadership, mentorship, and contributions to the trucking community.

What does TravelCenters of America do for the winners?
TA holds recognition ceremonies and also donates to Truckers Against Trafficking in honor of the winners.

How long has the Citizen Driver program existed?
The program began in 2013 and has recognized 40 drivers to date.

The TA Citizen Driver award highlights professional drivers who combine strong safety records with leadership and mentorship across the trucking industry. The 2026 winners, Steven Brand and Bruce Jones, reflect the program’s focus on long-term performance and meaningful contribution beyond the road, reinforcing that success in trucking extends far beyond miles driven.

Truck Drivers USA Editorial Team

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content on CDL requirements, safety regulations, pay trends, and daily operations. Each piece is written to provide clear, accurate information drivers can use on the road and in their careers.

Last updated: April 13, 2026

The post TA Honors Two Drivers for Safety, Mentorship, and Long Haul Leadership appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The annual competition, hosted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), was held August 20–23 in Minneapolis. This year’s event brought together 425 drivers from 56 companies across 49 states, collectively representing nearly 756 million accident-free miles behind the wheel.

Comings, who has logged 3.1 million safe driving miles over nearly three decades in the industry, stood out among the nation’s most skilled drivers. In addition to being named Bendix Grand Champion, he also took first place in the 5-axle vehicle category.

“Congratulations to David on his extraordinary achievement,” said ATA President & CEO Chris Spear. “This week, David put on a master class of precision and professionalism that defines NTDC, emerging from an elite field of highly skilled competitors.”

A Career of Excellence

Comings has competed multiple times at both the state and national levels. In 2022 and 2023, he won first place in North Dakota’s 4-axle class, and in 2024, he claimed the 5-axle title at the state competition before advancing to the national stage.

His latest win marks his most significant achievement to date, cementing his reputation as one of the safest and most precise drivers in the industry.

Additional Awards and Highlights

The closing ceremony also recognized several other standout competitors:

• Rookie of the Year: Jeffrey Reed, UPS (New Mexico)
• State Team Champion: Colorado
• Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award: Leroy Williams Sr., XPO
• Sam Gillette Lifetime Volunteer Award: Linda Nodland

Drivers competed across nine vehicle classes, along with a written exam and a vehicle inspection challenge. A full list of winners included:

Winners Across Vehicle Classes

Step Van:
1.    Logan Montandon, FedEx, Texas
2.    Matthew Futral, FedEx, Georgia
3.    Connor Christensen, United Parcel Service, Inc., Illinois

Straight Truck:
1.    Mark Carver, FedEx Freight, Missouri
2.    Samuel Bryant, FedEx Freight, Tennessee
3.    Bryan Reynaud, Walmart Transportation, Mississippi

3-Axle: 
1.    Daniel Shamrell, FedEx Freight, Oregon
2.    Gary Luster, FedEx Freight, Tennessee
3.    Brent Darnell, Southeastern Freight Lines, Georgia

4-Axle:
1.    Stephen Johnson, FedEx Freight, Mississippi
2.    Jeremy Steger, XPO, Wisconsin
3.    Robert Crowder, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., Virginia

5-Axle: 
1.    David Comings, FedEx Freight, North Dakota
2.    Roland Bolduc, FedEx, Connecticut
3.    John Willinger, FedEx Freight, Kentucky

Flatbed:
1.    Edward Hill, FedEx Freight, Delaware
2.    Adam Heim, FedEx Freight, Idaho
3.    Kenneth Rageth, FedEx Freight, Wyoming

Tank Truck:
1.    Jeff Langenhahn, XPO, Wisconsin
2.    Ernie Budlowski, XPO, Connecticut
3.    Glen Kirk, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., Indiana

Twins:
1.    Miguel Sanchez, United Parcel Service, Inc., Florida
2.    David Mogler, FedEx Freight, Colorado
3.    David Hall, ABF Freight, Arkansas

Sleeper Berth:
1.    Merle Ashbaugh, DHL Supply Chain, Ohio
2.    Todd Flippin, FedEx Freight, Colorado
3.    Herschel Evans, Aubrey Silvey Enterprises, Inc., Georgia

Vehicle Condition Award: 
•    Nick Gaudette, FedEx Freight, Colorado

Written Exam:
•    David Comings, FedEx Freight, North Dakota

State Team Award: 
1.    Colorado
2.    Illinois
3.    Virginia

The 2025 National Truck Driving & Step Van Championships were made possible by the support of several corporate sponsors, including:

Additional honors included:

• Vehicle Condition Award: Nick Gaudette (FedEx Freight, CO)
• Written Exam Award: David Comings (FedEx Freight, ND)

Event Sponsors

The ATA credited strong support from sponsors, including:

• Platinum: FedEx, Old Dominion Freight Line, Walmart, XPO
• Gold: ABF Freight, Boeing, C.A. Short Company, DHL, Samsara, UPS
• Silver: PITT OHIO

Why It Matters

The NTDC is often called the “Super Bowl of Safety” in trucking, spotlighting the skills, professionalism, and safety-first mindset that keep the nation’s highways moving.

Coming’s performance this year adds to his already remarkable career and highlights the high standards professional drivers bring to their work every day.

Image Source: American Trucking Associations
Source: Truckers News

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