Distinguished Army veteran and truck driver Brandon Meredith was named the winner of this year’s “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award during a special ceremony held at the American Trucking Associations’ headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The program was put on by Kenworth, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program to find America’s top military veteran rookie truck driver.
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. (CCJ Top 250, No. 192).
“Veterans are a special breed of human beings,” Meredith said. “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.”
In recognition of Kenworth’s 100th anniversary, Meredith 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.
The truck was also 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 in his new Kenworth T680 Signature Edition.Kenworth
“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,” said Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing. “We thank him for his distinguished military service, and wish all the best in his trucking career.”
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, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran driving for CRST (No. 21), was awarded a $10,000 prize.
Finalists Jessica White (U.S. Army/Stevens Transport), LaTravis Wilcox (U.S. Marine Corps/Prime, Inc.), and Todd Kraus (U.S. Army/Werner Enterprises) received $5,000 each.
