Brandon Meredith Wins 2023 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award

The Five Finalists receive their checks ● The Finalists, and winner Brandon Meredith, with his wife and daughters, receive their prizes. ● Photo Credit: Fastport

WASHINGTON, December 21, 2023 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - Brandon Meredith, an Army veteran and driver for Slay Transportation, has been named the 2023 recipient of the "Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence" award, as announced by Fastport. The award, part of an annual program organized by Kenworth, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program, recognizes America's top rookie military veteran who has made a successful transition into civilian truck driving. The ceremony took place at the American Trucking Associations’ headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Meredith, who retired as a Sergeant First Class (SFC) following a 20-year career with the U.S. Army, chose to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a professional truck driver as a tribute to his late father, who also was a truck driver. He has since become a tanker driver and delivery professional with Slay Transportation Co. after training at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

In recognition of his achievement, Meredith was awarded a Kenworth T680 Signature Edition truck equipped with a 76-inch high-roof sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine. This particular truck holds significance as the first T680 Signature Edition produced at Kenworth's Chillicothe, Ohio, plant in celebration of the company's 100th anniversary.

During his acceptance speech, Meredith remarked, “Veterans are a special breed of human beings. I’ve made some lifelong friends throughout this award. I’m a third-generation truck driver now. My father lost his life driving a truck, and while that was a hard time in my life, this profession is something I’ve always wanted to pursue. I couldn’t have asked for a better year."

Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing, expressed his company's honor in presenting the award to Meredith, stating, “It was an honor to present Brandon Meredith with the keys to the 100th Anniversary T680 Signature Edition on behalf of Kenworth and our employees. We thank him for his distinguished military service, and wish all the best in his trucking career.”

Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes, also commented on the significance of the award and its recipients, “I’m inspired by the stories of our veterans, like our finalists who represent the very best of our country. America is still leading the way. We are still the beacon on the hill, the shining light that is creating hope and opportunity for so many people across the world, and the Kenworth T680 Brandon is driving away in today is simply one example of how we are leading the way.”

Brad Bentley, president of Fastport, praised Meredith's military and civilian achievements, saying, “Brandon has an impressive military record and his dedication to excellence has continued into his chosen civilian career as a professional truck driver. He is an undeniable ambassador for the program and will be an excellent representative for his fellow veterans in the industry.”

The Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program also recognized other finalists during the ceremony in Washington, D.C., with awards and cash prizes.

To learn more, visit www.transitiontrucking.org, Kenworth.com, and HiringOurHeroes.org.

Source: Fastport via Newswire