After a record number of nominations for the 2023 “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award, Kenworth, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative announced the semi-finalists for the prize of a Kenworth T680 Signature Edition truck.

Launched in 2016 as part of an overall plan to recognize the achievements of veterans transitioning into the transportation industry, the company notes that this year’s program semi-finalists represent each branch of the United States Military, including the National Guard and Reserve.

● Andre Matthews, U.S. Army (O-4), Melton Truck Lines
● Anthony Nelson, U.S. Air Force (E-6), Roehl Transport
● Brandon Meredith, U.S. Army (E-7), Slay Transport
● Christian Slingerland, U.S. Army (E-5), Paschall Truck Lines
● James Ferrante, U.S. Navy (E-5), Epes Transport System LLC
● James Smith, U.S. Army (E-4), Viking Electric
● Jeffrey Pitts, U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve (E-3), NFI Industries
● Jessica White, U.S. Army (E-5), Stevens Transport
● Kareem Isaac, U.S. Army National Guard (E-4), Ryder
● Joseph Harmon, U.S. Marine Corps (E-4), USA Truck/DB Schenker
● Larry Todd Kraus, U.S. Army (CW3), Werner Enterprises
● LaTravis Wilcox, U.S. Marine Corps (E-8), Prime Inc.
● Ondrae Meyers, U.S. Marine Corps (E-7), CRST
● Ryan Buttenob, U.S. Air Force (E-4), Schneider
● Tameca Dale, U.S. Army Reserve (O-4), US Army/Kingdom Message Carriers LLC
● Tobie Myers, U.S. Army and Army Reserve (E-2), Putnam Trucking
● William “Bill” Masters, U.S. Air Force and Army National Guard (E-4 and E-5), Veriha Trucking

The semi-finalists each will attend a ceremony at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum on Sept. 21 in Columbus, Ohio, according to the press release. The following day will include a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant and a ceremony at the MHC Road Ready Center where semi-finalists will be recognized and finalists continuing in the program will be announced. A public vote will occur online from Nov. 1-11.