On November 8, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and carrier member Cargo Transporters teamed up with the town of Newton, N.C., and Choose Outdoors to bring a "Whistle Stop" of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to the community.
In addition to family-friendly activities, performances from local groups and seeing up close the 78-foot Red Spruce that will adorn the lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., attendees heard the story of trucking’s involvement in the project from Cargo Transporters President and CEO – and 2020-2021 TCA Chairman – Dennis Dellinger and Jon McCormick, North Carolina Division Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They also interacted with drivers from Hardy Brothers Transportation, who was selected as the carrier to haul the tree to communities nationwide this year.
It is a particularly exciting time to be sharing the story of trucking. A new national poll commissioned by Trucking Moves America Forward shows public sentiment of the trucking industry is at an all-time high. Respondents overwhelmingly said they had a favorable impression of the industry, recognized that truck drivers have a higher standard for safety and, perhaps most importantly, now ranked professional truck drivers in the top three of “essential” workers alongside grocery store workers and healthcare providers.
It is extremely encouraging to see the industry’s efforts bear fruit and our work force getting the public recognition we have always known they deserve. In TCA's continued quest to amplify the image of the industry, we too are doing more to recognize our driving workforce this year with a revamped take on the popular Driver of the Year contests.
The program has officially changed names to TCA Professional Drivers of the Year, reworked and simplified the driver submission process, increased cash prize winnings for a larger pool of drivers and enhanced TCA membership benefits.
The program will now celebrate up to five drivers (an increase from two in prior years), and each honoree will receive $20,000. Drivers must be nominated and employed by a TCA carrier member. Winners are expected to show a commitment to safety, demonstrate leadership on and off the road, and contribute meaningfully to the success of their companies or to the industry.
Let me repeat: TCA and our sponsors, Love’s and Cummins, are giving away $100,000 to recognize the best-in-class drivers in our industry.
