Semi-Finalists Announced for the 2024 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award

Kenworth, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative proudly announced the semi-finalists for the 2024 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award. Launched in 2016 to recognize the achievements of veterans transitioning into the transportation industry, this year’s program semi-finalists represent multiple branches of the United States Military, including National Guard and Reserve components. The semi-finalists include:

Jadarion Blakemore, U.S. Army (E-5), CRST – The Transportation Solution Inc. (Trained by Troops Into Transportation)
Quantae Dozier, U.S. Army (E-4), Epes Transport System, LLC (Trained by Troops Into Transportation)
Richard Flirt III, U.S. Navy (E-4), Legacy Express (Trained by Fox Valley Technical College)
Brian Ferguson, U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard (E-7), Melton Truck Lines (Trained by Troops Into Transportation)
Justin Sisler, U.S. Marine Corps (E-2), Prime Inc. (Trained by Roadmaster Drivers School)
Douglas Couch, U.S. Navy (E-5), Roehl Transport, Inc.
Mark Joseph, U.S. Navy and U.S. Army National Guard (O-3), Stevens Transport (Trained by Troops Into Transportation)
Cory Troxwell, U.S. Army (E-7), Stevens Transport (Trained by Phoenix Truck Driving Institute)
Shawn Haley, U.S. Marine Corps (E-4), Veriha Trucking LLC (Truck Driver Institute)
William Taylor, U.S. Coast Guard (E-7), Werner Enterprises (Trained by Roadmaster Drivers School)

The grand prize is a Kenworth T680 truck, equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine rated at 455 horsepower, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles.

The Kenworth T680 features a Diamond VIT interior in slate gray with madrona accents and includes the latest in driver amenities. Both the driver and passenger seats are GT703 leather seats that are fully heated and cooled. The 76-inch sleeper includes space for a microwave and TV, a factory-installed fridge, and a rotating work table. The T680 also includes the latest in driver assistance systems, including Kenworth’s Digital Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Auto Go, and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering.

As part of the ninth annual award program, each semi-finalist will attend a ceremony at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum on Sept. 25th in Columbus, Ohio. The following day will include a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant where semi-finalists will be recognized and finalists will be announced.

Finalists and the ultimate winner will be part of a greatly expanded veteran-focused week that includes a Veteran-Ready Summit (Dec. 11-14), the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award announcement (Dec. 13), Employment Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support Signing Ceremony (Dec. 13), and Wreaths Across America (Dec. 14).

A public vote will occur online from Nov. 1 until Veteran’s Day. This voting is an important determiner for the award’s Selection Committee, which makes the ultimate choice for the next Transition Trucking award winner. For more information, visit the Transition Trucking website (www.transitiontrucking.org).

Jadarion Blakemore U.S. Army (E-5) – CRST – The Transportation Solution Inc. (Trained by Troops Into Transportation) Jadarion Blakemore is a professional truck driver who thrives on the open road. Jadarion has honed his skills and achieved a successful track record thus far in his career. In addition to his career achievements, he has completed nursing school, though he decided to go back to driving as he came to love it while serving. When not working, Jadarion values time with his family – wife Sharayza and daughters Zariyah and Jada. He also enjoys staying active, playing basketball, and watching sports. His personal goals are to become an owner-operator so he can grow in the transportation industry and run his own fleet.	Douglas Couch U.S. Navy (E-5), Roehl Transport, Inc. Douglas Couch served in the United States Navy from 2012-2016 here he was onboard the USS Nimitz CVN 68. Douglas working as a Culinary Specialist 2nd Class. In that role he oversaw 50 sailors producing over 10,000 meals a day, feeding the crew onboard of over 5,000 Sailors and Marines while being forward deployed. Since transitioning into the trucking industry Douglas has driven over 120,000 miles safely and has shown a dedication to the safe operation of his commercial vehicle as well as the safety of all those around him.
Quantae Dozier U.S. Army (E-4), Epes Transport System, LLC (Trained by Troops Into Transportation) Quantae Dozier was born in Georgetown, South Carolina where he graduated at the tender age of sixteen. A year after his graduation Quantae pursued a career in the military by enlisting into the Army in 2018 spending 4 1/2 years on active duty at Camp Liberty. While enlisted he earned the National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal, and driver and Mechanic Badge. In his spare time Quantae enjoys making music with friends he met while in the Army.	Brian Ferguson U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard (E-7), Melton Truck Lines (Trained by Troops Into Transportation) Brian began his military career in September 1992 when he joined the Army. After serving for three years, he transitioned from the Army and joined the Texas National Guard, where he served for over ten years. In 2006, Brian reenlisted into the Army where he served another 17 years until he retired with a combined 31 years of military service. Throughout his career, Brian deployed seven times overseas and domestically. Of those deployments, three were combat deployments. Brian chose to pursue trucking because he enjoys traveling and the hard work of flatbed driving.
Richard Flirt III U.S. Navy (E-4), Legacy Express (Trained by Fox Valley Technical College) Richard Flirt, a retired Navy veteran, is an individual who has displayed a commitment to everything he does and passion to get the job completed right the first time. Richard was hired on the spot with Legacy Express LLC, a veteran-owned and-operated trucking company six days after securing his CDL A with Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI. Richard is recently married and is looking forward to his family’s future based on his commitment to the trucking industry.	Shawn Haley U.S. Marine Corps (E-4), Veriha Trucking LLC (Trained by Truck Driving Institute) Shawn Haley served in the United States Marine Corps from 1987 to 1991. During his time in the Marine Corps, I served as security for President Ronald Reagan and the First Lady Nancy Reagan as well as President George H. W. Bush and the first Lady Barbara Bush. After an honorable discharge, Shawn became an entrepreneur who ran his successful business for 20 years. At that time, he decided he needed a new challenge, so he became a regional truck driver at Veriha where what he enjoys the most is to see so many different places of this great country. During this career journey, Shawn was able to reconnect with his high school sweetheart after 27 years and they are currently engaged.
Mark Joseph U.S. Navy and U.S. Army National Guard (O-3), Stevens Transport (Trained by Troops Into Transportation) Mark’s father served in the U S Navy as an officer and flight surgeon aboard the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier CV-63. His father encouraged his sons to give a minimum of 4 years of service to their country in one of the branches of the military. Both of his older brothers took heed, and Mark soon followed suit. Following a stint in community college, he enlisted and served a total of 8 years in the US Navy on active duty. Utilizing his G.I. Bill to pay for college, he graduated from the ROTC program at Tarleton State University. Upon graduating Tarleton, he accepted an officer’s commission in the rank of 2LT Ordinance Corps in the Army National Guard, where he continues to proudly serve today.	Justin Sisler U.S. Marine Corps (E-2), Prime Inc. (Trained by Roadmaster Drivers School) Justin Sisler is from Bladenboro, North Carolina. A father of two, his daughter Raven is in heavy equipment repair trade school and his four-year-old son Conor is starting school this August. Justin married his wife Amanda after separating from the Marine Corps in 2008. They were team drivers this year with Conor until school started. Justin joined the military to support his family and to use the education benefits it offered at the time.
William Taylor U.S. Coast Guard (E-7), Werner Enterprises (Trained by Roadmaster Drivers School) Born in Honolulu, HI., William lived in many locations across the United States during his parents’ U.S. Navy careers. He graduated from high school in 1998 and worked in the gas and oil industry until joining the U.S. Coast Guard in 2000. William served in various assignments to include Port Security and Harbor Defense, Search and Rescue, Coast Guard Cutter deployments for drug interdiction / maritime defense, and served as a Recruiter. He retired with 20 years of service in 2020 as a Chief Petty Officer, Machinery Technician. William now drives for Werner Enterprises on the Anheuser-Busch account in Columbus, Ohio.	Cory Troxwell U.S. Army (E-7), Stevens Transport (Trained by Phoenix Truck Driving Institute) Cory Troxell was born into service with his grandfather, father, and uncle serving with distinguished careers in the Army. Motivated by a strong sense of family pride, service and patriotism following the events of 9/11, Cory enlisted into the Army in 2004 immediately following high school. In 2009, Cory was severely wounded in an enemy IED attack eventually earning him the Purple Heart and continued to serve until his retirement in 2024. Drawing similarities to his decision to join the Army, he followed a career path already cut by his family.