Driving for excellence
Jimmy Reddell, who spent 22 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves, felt a career in trucking would not only allow him to travel the country, but he would also be playing a key role in the transportation of essential goods.
Following his retirement from military service, Reddell earned his commercial driver’s license in 2020 and hired on as a driver with Dallas-based Stevens Transport.
Starting any new career presents its own set of challenges, and Reddell has surely experienced his share. However, a Dec. 17 award presentation provided Reddell with a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity he won’t soon forget.
Reddell was announced as winner of the 2021 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award in Washington, D.C.
As part of this honor, Reddell was handed the keys to a brand new Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and more.
“This is certainly a special moment for me,” Reddell said in a news release. “When I found out I was nominated I was in total disbelief. I’m very honored to receive the 2021 Transition Trucking award out of all the deserving veterans nominated. Thanks to Stevens Transport and Angela Horowitz for nominating me. I can’t wait to get that Kenworth T680 out on the road.”
Reddell recently became an independent contractor through Stevens Transport Contractor Division, thousands of miles from South Korea, where he transferred missile radar systems across mountain passes while serving overseas.
“Jimmy Reddell’s accomplished military career instilled attention to detail, punctuality, discipline and a keen sense of urgency that have helped him to be successful as a professional truck driver,” Brad Bentley, Fastport president, said in a news release. “Jimmy has a great support network at Stevens Transport to begin his career. I know he will be a great ambassador for our industry moving forward.”
This was the sixth year of the partnership between Kenworth, Fastport Trucking Track Mentoring Program and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes Program, which aims to recognize America’s top rookie military veteran who has made the successful transition from active duty to driving commercially.
“It was an honor to present Jimmy Reddell with the keys to the Kenworth T680 on behalf of Kenworth and our employees,” Genevieve Bekkerus, Kenworth director of marketing, said in a news release. “We thank him for his long military service to our country, and wish him all the best in his trucking career.”
The Transition Trucking program also recognized James C. Rose, a Marine veteran and driver for Prime Inc., and Christopher Slindee, an Army veteran and Knight Transportation driver, as runners-up. They were each awarded a $10,000 check.
The top driver was determined by an expert panel of judges. To qualify, drivers had to be nominated by their motor carrier and meet three eligibility requirements:
- Must have been active military or member of the National Guard or Reserve.
- Graduated from PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school, with a valid CDL.
- First hired in a trucking position between January 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021.
More information about the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award can be found at TransitionTrucking.org. LL