Troy Davidson, far left, won the pictured Kenworth T680 after being named the Top Veteran Rookie Driver. Davidson is an owner-operator with Werner. The award’s other two finalists were, Kevin Scott (second from left) and Russel Hardy, second from right. The three are pictured here with Brad Bentley, director of FASTPORT.Navy veteran Troy Davidson, an owner-operator with Werner, was named Top Veteran Rookie Driver and won a brand new Kenworth T680.
The recognition program, Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence is a joint effort with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundations’ Hiring Our Heroes, Kenworth and Fastport and was created to help create jobs for transitioning military personal along with providing drivers for the trucking industry.
Davidson, from Pensacola, Florida, was an E-5 jet engine mechanic and joined the Blue Angels demonstration team. He was twice awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal and his military honors also include National Defense Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and Junior Sailor of the Quarter. He served in the USN for five years and later graduated from the Truck Driver Institute in Milton, Florida that he attended on the VA Bill. In his free time, he volunteers with the Make a Wish Foundation. He says the reason he wanted to become a truck driver was to continue serve his country. “It gives me great pride and honor to serve in a realm where I am in service to my country even though I’m no longer wearing a uniform,” Davidson says.
The Kenworth T680 76-inch sleeper was the Davidson’s prize for winning the the Top Veteran Rookie contest. It is powered by a Paccar MX-13 engine. The truck was donated by Kenworth to serve as the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition award.When his name was announced, Davidson became emotional as he thanked the Chamber of Commerce, Werner Enterprises, where he is becoming a driver trainer, his family and the Transition Trucking program. He says he was truly humbled and honored for the recognition and plans to operate the new, fully-loaded Kenworth T680 with Werner.
Davidson was one of three finalists including runner-ups Russell Hardy with Trimac Transportation and Kevin Scott of TMC Transportation. Hardy and Scott each received $10,000 checks.
