Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Nov. 6, 2026:
- New W990 for Army vet in Pilot contest.
- Mid-size flatbedder acquired.
- Truckers for Troops launches Monday in time for Vet's Day.
Army vet named Pilot Road Warrior, wins custom Kenworth
Joshua Kearney’s new Kenworth W990 features a 52-inch flat-top sleeper equipped with a Diamond VIT interior, powered by a Paccar MX-13 engine that delivers 510 horsepower and 1,850 lb.-ft. torque via a Paccar TX-18 transmission.Pilot
U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient Joshua Kearney won Pilot’s 2026 Road Warrior contest. Kearney is a truck driver for Kaplan Trucking of North Ridgeville, Ohio, with close to 1 million accident-free miles in the rearview.
Kearney was selected from more than 2,000 nominations for his perseverance, dedication to professional driving and commitment to service. The annual Road Warrior contest celebrates the stories of America’s truck drivers and reflects Pilot’s commitment to supporting professional drivers, the company said.
Pilot worked with Kenworth and the Diesel Brothers to customize a Kenworth W990 for this year’s winner. On Oct. 27, they joined Kearney’s family and colleagues to hand over the keys to his new truck and a $50,000 check, celebrating him as this year’s Road Warrior champion.
“Joshua’s story reflects the resilience, work ethic and character that drive our industry forward, representing the very best of the professional driving community,” said Kari Irons, chief experience officer at Pilot. “It’s exciting to work with Kenworth and the Diesel Brothers to celebrate the remarkable people behind the wheel of America’s trucks.
Kearney served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 2008 to 2012 and in the Army Reserve from 2013 to 2020. He received a Purple Heart in 2011 after being wounded in combat in Afghanistan. After returning home to Ohio, he built a career in trucking and today hauls steel coils for Kaplan Trucking.
Kearney was nominated for the Road Warrior contest by his wife, Shannon, who highlighted his dedication to both his profession and his family. A husband and father of two, Kearney’s sons are already captivated by trucks and enjoy watching their dad work on and drive his rig.
[Related: Trucker of the Year John Penn honored at MATS among owner-op peers]
PS Logistics acquires Tennessee flatbedder
PS Logistics subsidiary Loudon County Trucking LLC this week acquired substantially all of the assets of Tennessee-based Roane Transportation Services LLC, Roane Logistics Inc., and B&W Leasing Inc. Roane and its subsidiaries were privately owned, specializing in flatbed and conestoga freight. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Headquartered in Rockwood, Tennessee, Roane Transportation was founded in 1996 by Steve Kennedy and Luke Wyatt. With more than 170 company, lease-purchase, and owner-operator drivers and operations in Rockwood and Memphis, Tennessee, and El Paso, Texas, Roane primarily hauls aluminum, steel, electrical products, and building materials throughout the Southeast and Midwest.
Roane also provides freight brokerage and warehousing services through Roane Logistics.
Roane’s freight mix and geographic coverage are highly complementary to PS Logistics’ network, the company said, and are expected to provide immediate opportunities to realize operational synergies.
Roane will now operate as Roane Transportation, a division of Loudon County Trucking LLC.PS Logistics
“The acquisition of Roane Transportation strengthens PS Logistics’ presence in East Tennessee, expanding our footprint in a region that is critical to the aluminum manufacturing sector and enhancing our ability to support both existing and new customers,” said Houston Vaughn, president of PS Logistics’ trucking division. “Equally important, Roane’s experienced management team and dedicated employees share the values, commitment to service, and entrepreneurial spirit that define PS Logistics.”
Steve Kennedy, co-founder of Roane, will continue to lead the Roane division.
“This partnership is a strong cultural fit,” Kennedy said. “Both companies put drivers first, value integrity and safety, and treat people with respect. For our team and customers, it means we keep the local leadership, culture, and service you know while gaining the resources and scale to invest further in our people and operations.”
Since 2016, PS Logistics has successfully acquired 32 trucking companies and five non-asset logistics operations across the United States.
[Related: ELS sells flatbed division to PS Logistics]
OOIDA kicks off 20th Truckers for Troops campaign
With Veterans Day ahead next Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is officially launching its 20th annual Truckers for Troops campaign, which will run Nov. 9-15.
What began in 2007 as a grassroots effort to send care packages to personnel stationed in combat zones has grown into a powerful national lifeline. Today, Truckers for Troops continues the overseas mission while directly aiding stateside veterans’ facilities that shelter and assist wounded, disabled, and homeless service members.
“Truckers and military service members share the same core values of sacrifice, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to this country,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer. “With nearly 40% of our membership having worn the uniform, Truckers for Troops is one of the most meaningful traditions we have at OOIDA. When our drivers pull together during Veterans Day week, every dollar sends a clear message to our troops and veterans that they are not forgotten.”
Since 2007, the campaign has raised more than $800,000, shipped more than 3,369 care packages, supported more than 39,500 service members, and supplied 65 veteran care facilities.
Among the key partners supported is the Veterans Community Project (VCP), an organization founded to eradicate veteran homelessness. Originally launched in Kansas City, VCP is actively building specialized transitional villages across the country. In addition to active sites in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Longmont, Colorado; and St. Louis, Missouri, expansions are underway in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Glendale, Arizona.
During the one-week drive, drivers can join OOIDA or renew an annual membership for a discounted rate of $35. Ten percent of every membership fee goes directly to the troops fund, and OOIDA matches that 10% dollar for dollar, doubling every contribution.
Beyond memberships, OOIDA is also accepting direct donations through the 501(c)(3) OOIDA Foundation.
There are three ways to participate:
- By phone: Call 816-229-5791 during business hours, mention Truckers for Troops, and connect directly with Membership.
- Online: Visit ooida.com anytime to join, renew or donate.
- By mail: Send checks payable to the OOIDA Foundation (for tax-deductible gifts) or OOIDA (for membership dues). Note "TROOPS" along with "Dues & Donation" or "Donation Only" on the memo line.
OOIDA is also actively collecting names and deployment addresses for care package distribution. Anyone with a family member or friend currently serving in the U.S. military who would like them to receive a care package can send the recipient’s full name, complete military mailing address, and projected stateside return date to [email protected].
[Related: How military service set these trucking entrepreneurs straight to success]
