FASTPORT

10/30/2026

31 years. Two deployments. A medics instincts. Gary W. Williams, a Transition Trucking finalist, entered the U.S. Army as an information systems specialist, made Sergeant First Class in under ten years, then changed his MOS and spent most of his career as a medic, rising to Chief Medical NCO and ultimately Command Sergeant Major, learning to lead teams, decide under pressure, and answer for the well-being of everyone he supervised.

Gary graduated from Southern Careers Institute in January 2026 and joined Stevens Transport weeks later, where he's built a stellar safety record. Soldiers he once led still call him for advice, and he makes himself available to them. He also turns out for Travis Manion Foundation walks, marches, and hikes.

Learn more about this years finalists and how you can vote starting November 1st: https://transitiontrucking.org/finalists/

10/28/2026

He retired twice before he ever climbed into a Class 8 truck. Senior Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Brandon Ward, a Transition Trucking finalist, served more than 22 years in the U.S. Navy as a Master-at-Arms and Expeditionary Warfare Specialist, then built a second career at the Department of Homeland Security as a hiring official on recruitment teams that brought transitioning service members into the federal workforce.

Brandon graduated from Roadmaster Drivers School in Orlando in September 2025 and joined Werner Enterprises later that month as a registered apprentice, where he's built a flawless safety record. He supports Tunnel to Towers and the USO, mentors veterans through their own transitions, and is working toward becoming an owner-operator with a trucking company of his own.

Learn more about this year's finalists and how you can vote starting November 1st: https://transitiontrucking.org/finalists/

10/27/2026

Two West Point graduates. Two presidents. One menu.

At VRS 2026, you’ll eat like Grant (Class of 1843) and Eisenhower (Class of 1915). Former White House Chef Martin Cj Mongiello and Chef Stormy Mongiello are bringing presidential recipes to West Point, from Grant’s buckwheat pancakes and fried apples to Ike’s personal beef stew.

Good food builds bridges. So does the work we’ll do at this summit.

Registration closes November 30. Are you in? veteranreadysummit.org.

10/26/2026

The only Airman among this year's finalists, and the youngest. Staff Sergeant Daniel Doss, a Transition Trucking finalist, spent 10 years in the U.S. Air Force as a Fuels Specialist, leading fuel operations and maintenance teams stateside and on deployment to the United Arab Emirates, supporting relief operations after Hurricane Michael, and serving on the Base Honor Guard, rendering final military honors to veterans and presenting flags to their families.

Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Daniel completed the Troops Into Transportation SkillBridge program at Fort Benning and now drives flatbed for Melton Truck Lines, Inc as a registered apprentice. He chose trucking because it would be needed anywhere in the country. He and his wife have three children.

Learn more about this year's finalists and how you can vote starting November 1st: https://transitiontrucking.org/finalists/

10/23/2026

To make the Veteran Ready Summit better each year, we've built an advisory committee of leaders from across industries, including veterans, employers, and workforce experts.

To our committee: thank you for the time and insight you give. This summit wouldn't be what it is without you.

Meet the 2026 VRS Advisory Committee:

🔹 Chris Miles | Sonepar USA
🔹 BJ Ganem | Sierra Delta
🔹 Nikki Stork | Bob Woodruff Foundation
🔹 Chris Gonzalez | NXTStep Vets
🔹 Bryon Wiebold | Tenstreet, LLC
🔹 Jafi Roskey | Werner Enterprises
🔹 Amy Thomas | The Manufacturing Institute
🔹 Charles Hodges Jr. | U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
🔹 Kayla Rozo | Legrand
🔹 Keith R. Whitcomb | Bob Woodruff Foundation
🔹 Melinda Gomez | SEMI Foundation
🔹 Chris Gonzalez | NXTStep Vets
🔹 Scott Ellsworth | Fastport, Inc.

Join us at West Point for VRS 2026, December 13–15.
Registration closes November 30.
👉 veteranreadysummit.org

10/23/2026

Nearly 25 years in the U.S. Army. More than two decades in logistics as a 92Y Supply Specialist. A former Army Master Driver. Sergeant First Class (Ret.) Monica Brooks-Buck, a Transition Trucking finalist, came back to the road on her own terms, already knowing what discipline, safety, and teamwork are worth behind the wheel.

Monica trained at the Truck Driver Institute, Inc. in Saucier, Mississippi, and joined Werner Enterprises in September 2025 as a registered apprentice. She drives as a professional team with her husband, Johnny, and has run 80,000 accident-free miles, handling changing conditions and high-pressure situations with calm. She belongs to the Women In Trucking Association and Disabled American Veterans, and studies information technology between runs.

Learn more about this years finalists and how you can vote starting November 1st: https://transitiontrucking.org/finalists/

10/21/2026

27 years. A Purple Heart. Sergeant Major. Mohammad "Mo" Arzola, a Transition Trucking finalist, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1997 as a machine gunner. In between came Drill Instructor School, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, 3d Battalion 5th Marines, and service as squadron sergeant major across multiple aviation commands, with deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and missions in Kuwait, Somalia, and Djibouti.

A San Antonio native, Mo trained at California Career School and started with HEB, where he logged more than 100,000 safe miles and earned the Spirit of HEB Award. Today he drives for Patriot Group International, LLC, with his sights set on becoming an owner-operator. He still turns out for Grunt Style events and VFW Post 76.

Learn more about this years finalists and how you can vote starting November 1st: https://transitiontrucking.org/finalists/

10/09/2026

🎙️ Hear from the Final 5! In the first episode of their special series, PodWheels caught up with the finalists for the 2026 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award within 30 minutes of the announcement.

Humility runs through every interview. Each finalist said they were surprised to hear their name called, especially after spending two days with their fellow Elite 11 members at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus and on a tour of the Kenworth plant in Chillicothe.

🎧 Listen here: https://podwheels.com/driving-for-excellence-awards-final-five-a-grateful-group-humbled-by-time-together/

📰 Read Greg Thompson’s full story on The Trucker: https://www.thetrucker.com/trucking-news/truck-driving-jobs-news/introducing-the-final-5-transition-trucking-announces-record-number-of-finalists-for-2026-driving-for-excellence-award

Stay tuned as we share their individual interviews with PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson as we approach public voting opening on November 1st!

In our first episode following the announcement of the finalists for the 2026 Transition Trucking Driving For Excellence Award, our special series brings you the immediate thoughts of the five professionals behind the wheel who advanced in the search for America’s top rookie military veteran drive...

09/28/2026

Meet our Freedom Hauler Apprentice at TransForce, Inc.

Luis Lorenzo served 4 years in the Marine Corps as a 0671 Data Systems Administrator. Now a Truck Driver apprentice at TransForce Inc., he carries the same discipline the military instilled and brings it to every haul.

TransForce is a Veteran Ready employer, partnered with Fastport to turn on-the-job training into a national credential. Our Registered Apprenticeship Partners don't just hire veterans; they build the culture and career pathways that keep them.

Want an apprentice like Luis in your fleet? Schedule a meeting to learn more at https://scheduler.zoom.us/fastport/discovery-meeting.

Explore opportunities with TransForce CDL Drivers at https://jobs.transforce.com/.

09/22/2026

Meet our Freedom Hauler Apprentice at Garner Trucking!

Jesse served 4 years in the Marine Corp as an Automotive Technician. Now a Truck Driver apprentice at Garner Trucking, Inc., he carries the same discipline the military instilled and brings it to every haul.

Garner Trucking, Inc. is a Veteran Ready employer, partnered with Fastport to turn on-the-job training into a national credential. Our Registered Apprenticeship Partners don't just hire veterans; they build the culture and career pathways that keep them.

Want an apprentice like Jesse in your fleet? Schedule a meeting to learn more at https://scheduler.zoom.us/fastport/discovery-meeting.

Explore opportunities with Garner Trucking at https://www.garnertrucking.com/.