TA has named Citizen Drivers since 2013
Soon, TravelCenters of America will announce another class of Citizen Drivers.
TA recently began accepting nominations for the truck driving award and will continue to take them through Oct. 7.
To submit a nomination, go to the TA Citizen Driver website.
TA said the Citizen Driver program puts a spotlight on some of the most extraordinary drivers today and illustrates the fine examples of professionalism embedded in the truck driving profession.
Last year, the Westlake, Ohio-based chain of travel centers received more than 150 nominations for the Citizen Driver award.
Earning Citizen Driver honors in 2024 were Tim Taylor and team drivers Steve and Gina Jones. The three drivers were recognized at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.
This year’s winners will receive $5,000 in prize money, with TA making a $2,500 donation to the winner’s organization of choice. Winners will also be able to choose a TA, Petro Stopping Center or TA Express location to be dedicated in their name, as has been customary in previous years.
A panel of trucking professionals will review all the nominees to select the finalists.
TA has presented 44 professional truck drivers with the Citizen Driver award since the program began in 2013.
OOIDA members William McNamee and Lamar Buckwalter received the honor in 2023. The pair joined a host of other Association members to receive the accolade in recent years, including:
- Ingrid Brown in 2018
- Life members Steen Gronlund and husband-wife team Kenn and Beth Zelten in 2019
- Dan Porter and Don Talley in 2021
Marty Ellis, the driver of OOIDA’s tour truck, “The Spirit of the American Trucker,” received the honor in 2017. Jon Osburn, OOIDA’s previous Spirit driver, won the award in 2016. LL