FASTPORT

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/.

09/18/2026

Every one of our Elite 11 semi-finalists has traveled a remarkable road; from military service to professional trucking. Next week, we honor those journeys at the 2026 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Semi-finalist Recognition ceremony at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio.

Thank you to PodWheels for sitting down with each of this year's semi-finalists and sharing their stories. Get to know them all: https://www.youtube.com//videos

Learn more at transitiontrucking.org/elite-11/.

Videos from our work on PodWheels.com, the podcast network dedicated to highlighting the trucking industry.

09/18/2026

Meet Gary Williams, one of our Elite 11 Transition Trucking semi-finalists!

Gary W. Williams retired after 31 years in the U.S. Army as a Command Sergeant Major, having served as a leader, medic, and mentor throughout his career. He trained at Southern Careers Institute and now drives for Transport. Based in La Vernia, Texas, Gary continues to support soldiers who call him for advice, and is using his trucking career to supplement his military retirement while building toward the future.

Get to know the rest of this year's semi-finalists in the race for the keys to a brand new Kenworth T680: https://transitiontrucking.org/elite-11/.

09/16/2026

Meet Jenn Wilken, one of our Elite 11 Transition Trucking semi-finalists!

Jenn Wilken served 10 years in the U.S. Army in logistics, completing three deployments to Iraq. She trained through Prime Inc.'s CDL program and now drives for the company. Based in Yuma, Arizona, Jenn is candid about the challenges women face on the road, including the lack of accessible restrooms, and says trucking has given her family a new sense of freedom. She carries the discipline and camaraderie of her military service into every mile.

Get to know the rest of this year's semi-finalists in the race for the keys to a brand new Kenworth T680: https://transitiontrucking.org/elite-11/.

09/15/2026

Our Registered Apprenticeship partners never market alone. 🤝 We just released new marketing resources for our RA employer partners; including an editable program announcement template, official Fastport and National Apprenticeship branding guidelines, and a direct line to our marketing team for joint social media and press release collaborations.

This is what being a Fastport partner looks like: hands-on support from day one by registering your program and apprentices, assistance setting up a VA Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) program so your Veteran apprentices can use their GI Bill benefits, to helping you tell your story and attract top talent.

Thinking about launching a Registered Apprenticeship program? Join our existing national program standards for a ready-to-launch program, or work with us to customize one built around your workforce. Either way, we're with you every step. 👇

Learn more and schedule a conversation at nationalapprenticeship.org.

09/14/2026

Meet Brandon Ward, one of our Elite 11 Transition Trucking semi-finalists!

Brandon Ward is a two-time retiree, having served more than 22 years in the U.S. Navy as a Master at Arms before a senior career with the Department of Homeland Security. He trained at Roadmaster Drivers School in Orlando and now drives for Werner Enterprises, where he is currently enrolled in the Werner Enterprises Truck Driver Apprenticeship. Based in Merritt Island, Florida, Brandon has built a strong safety record and mentors fellow drivers, with a goal of becoming an owner-operator and building his own trucking company.

Get to know the rest of this year's semi-finalists in the race for the keys to a brand new Kenworth T680: https://transitiontrucking.org/elite-11/.

09/11/2026

Meet Juan Rosado Lozada, one of our Elite 11 Transition Trucking semi-finalists!

Juan Rosado Lozada is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served as a Motor Transportation Operator, deploying to Japan and twice to South Korea. Originally from Manatí, Puerto Rico, he trained through Troops Into Transportation at Fort Benning and now drives for Roehl Transport Inc.'s National Flatbed Fleet Honor Program. Juan is working to reunite with his wife, whom he met while stationed in Japan, and bring her to the United States from the Dominican Republic.

Get to know the rest of this year's semi-finalists in the race for the keys to a brand new Kenworth T680: https://transitiontrucking.org/elite-11/.

09/09/2026

Meet Daryus Jones, one of our Elite 11 Transition Trucking semi-finalists!

Daryus Jones is a U.S. Army veteran who served four years before earning his CDL at Tulsa Technology, where his instructor recognized him for going above and beyond to help fellow students complete the program. He is currently an apprentice in Tulsa Technology's Professional Truck Driver Training program and now drives for Anheuser-Busch. Based in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Daryus is already working toward his goal of becoming an owner-operator within a few years, with an ultimate ambition of contracting with the military.

Get to know the rest of this year's semi-finalists in the race for the keys to a brand new Kenworth T680: https://transitiontrucking.org/elite-11/.