Prize truck shown off at military hiring fair

October 24, 2017

Land Line Staff

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Transitioning military personnel received a sneak peek at the Transition Trucking program’s top prize – a 2017 Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper – during the Hiring our Heroes Transition Summit this past week at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Lakewood, Wash.

The summit was coordinated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program, USAA, and the Military Officers Association of America Military Family Initiative.

In its second year, the Transition Trucking program aims to find America’s top rookie military veteran who has successfully transitioned from active duty to being a truck driver.

“We have seen this program provide great benefits not only for our nation’s soldiers and veterans, but also for the trucking industry,” said Kurt Swihart, marketing director for Kenworth Truck Co., Kirkland, Wash. “These servicemen and servicewomen are highly trained professionals with transferable skills that can greatly benefit employers. They just need guidance and the right opportunities with private sector companies that can best utilize their unique training and skills.”

The three finalists are Wayne Roy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Xpress; Daniel Shonebarger, U.S. Navy, Melton Truck Lines; and Gregg Softy, U.S. Army, Stevens Transport.

Each finalist has a video the public can watch in order to help make their vote.

Those nominated must be a military veteran or a current or former member of the National Guard or Reserves; must have graduated from a certified driver training school and be a current CDL holder; must have been employed by any for-hire carrier or private fleet that has pledged to hire veterans through TruckingTrack.org; and was first employed as a truck driver between Jan. 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017.

The public will have until the end of the day on Oct. 31 to vote for a winner.

On Dec. 15 in Washington, D.C., the winner and the two runners-up will be announced during a ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hall of Flags. The top prize has a value of $155,000. The two other finalists will receive $10,000 in prize money.

The award’s inaugural winner was Troy Davidson, a U.S. Navy veteran who works with Werner.