Trucking’s Top Rookie contest finalists announced

Top Rookie Logo 2016Ten professional truck drivers have been chosen as finalists in the annual search for Trucking’s Top Rookie.

The winner of the award will be announced during ceremonies at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas next month and will receive $10,000 and a package of prizes.

The nine runners up will receive $1,000 and other prizes as well.

The Trucking’s Top Rookie contest is a partnership between Truckers News, the Truckload Carriers Association, Commercial Vehicle Training Association, Rand McNally, Pilot Flying J, Progressive Commercial Insurance, National Association of Publicly Funded Driving Schools, American Trucking Associations and the Red Eye Radio Network.

The 10 finalists include:

  • Mario Cardenas of TMC Transportation
  • Brian College of Carbon Express
  • Chris Crowell of Werner Enterprises
  • Brandon Douglas of Melton Truck Lines
  • Shawna Froehlich of Dartco
  • Dave Honbarger of Maverick Transportation
  • Willis Robinson of Cargo Transporters
  • Kenneth Strother of Stevens Transport
  • Marc Walther of Wil-Trans
  • Kenneth Youman of Dutch Maid Logistics

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“We thank the judges for their hard work in narrowing the field of nominees to these ten finalists,” said Truckers News Editor David Hollis. “Each of these ten deserving finalists has shown they possess the skills, outlook and dedication to be successful in the American trucking industry.”

The winner receives:

  • $10,000 cash
  • $1,000 cash and 100,000 Pilot Flying J MyReward points
  • A custom plaque from Award Company of America
  • Interview on Red Eye Radio Network with Eric Harley
  • A feature in “Truckers News”
  • $1,000 worth of DAS Products merchandise featuring the RoadPro Getting Started Living On-The-Go Package
  • An American Trucking Associations prize package, which includes a polo shirt with logo, baseball cap, model truck and utility knife
  • A GPS unit and a Motor Carrier Road Atlas from Rand McNally

The nine other finalists receive:

  • $1,000 cash
  • 50,000 MyRewards points from Pilot Flying J
  • A custom plaque from Award Company of America
  • $100 worth of DAS Products Merchandise, featuring the RoadPro MobileSpec Portable Life Package
  • An American Trucking Associations prize package which includes a polo shirt with logo, baseball cap, model truck and utility knife
  • A GPS unit from Rand McNally

The award is named for the late Mike O’Connell was formerly the executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, and originated the idea of honoring a top rookie driver to help show new drivers they are important to and appreciated by the trucking industry.