Among funding student scholarships, planting trees, and supporting kids with cancer, the trucking industry is full of good things. Read more about each instance in this week’s Five Good Things.
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Sixty students to receive scholarships totaling over $168,000 from TCA Scholarship Fund
The Truckload Carriers Association recently named its 2024-25 TCA Scholarship Fund recipients, who collectively will receive $168,000.
Since 1973, the fund has provided scholarships to students associated with the trucking industry. Each scholarship recipient must be a student in good standing attending a four-year or two-year college or university and must be associated with a TCA member company.
"The TCA Scholarship Fund program is one of the best initiatives included in a TCA membership that helps to pay forward the honor of being a part of the truckload industry,” said TCA Scholarship Fund Chairman Joey Hogan of Covenant. “We were proud to be able to increase the dollar awards by 25% even in a time of economic difficulty, which exemplifies the priority of this program by the association. The fund is excited to award scholarships to students at two-year colleges for the first time this year, and we are very excited to continue to grow the program."
The whole list of recipients can be viewed here.
TMC builds hope with Roc Solid Foundation
Recently, more than 20 TMC Transportation volunteers braved the summer heat to make a difference in the life of a child fighting cancer in Des Moines, Iowa.
In partnership with the Roc Solid Foundation, TMC volunteers built a backyard playset for Ezra, a three-year-old battling leukemia. Kids like Ezra often have weakened immune systems due to their chemotherapy treatments, which makes it impossible for them to go to public parks and playgrounds. Having a playset in his backyard will allow Ezra to play whenever he wants without risking his health.
Over about four hours, TMC volunteers from all departments assembled the playset, prepared a space for it in Ezra’s backyard, and set it up.
The playset was a surprise for Ezra. To keep him from noticing the work happening in his backyard, TMC also brought one of its trucks to Ezra’s house. Ezra received a tour of the cab with his parents and younger sister and could sit in the driver’s seat.
Jeff Floyd, VP of national accounts at TMC, is a core volunteer with Roc Solid and has led more than 300 playset builds nationwide. He said he loves seeing the impact Roc Solid makes in the lives of families like Ezra’s.
“We’re giving Ezra a place where he can do what he’s supposed to do—play,” Floyd said. “And we’re taking this opportunity to be of service to this family and show them that their community is here for them.”
Building the playset was a great chance for the TMC team to make a difference in the community, but the real highlight was when the finished project was revealed to Ezra, who immediately ran to test out the slide.
Fifteen finalists selected for the Relay Payments Haul of Fame
Relay Payments recently revealed the 15 finalists for its second annual Haul of Fame contest, which honors inspiring truck drivers and their contributions to the trucking industry. In August, a celebrity judging panel will review drivers with the five highest votes and two drivers will ultimately be selected as the 2024 Haul of Fame winners.
The two winners will receive various prizes, including a trip to the NASCAR Race Weekend in Atlanta on September 6-8, ahead of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.
More than 160 professional drivers were nominated, doubling last year's nominations. Nominees were recognized for their commitment to safety, willingness to help and mentor others, and for going above and beyond for customers. Collectively, the 15 Haul of Fame finalists account for 394 years of truck driving experience, with millions of miles of service and countless goods delivered to every area of the country. The 2024 Haul of Fame finalists include:
- Cholonda Allen, five years of driving
- David Blankenship, 40 years of driving
- Bruce Bryant, 38 years of driving
- Fidel Herrera, 24 years of driving
- Nic Hurtado, five years of driving
- Deb Labree, 18 years of driving
- Bobby Land, 34 years of driving
- Roger Mackbach, 24 years of driving
- Dario Morton, 24 years of driving
- Jason Neymeiyer, 20 years of driving
- Kirk Phillips, 43 years of driving
- Michael Smith, 35 years of driving
- Sydney Thomas, four years of driving
- Joe Unverzagt, 30 years of driving
- Kevin Worley, 50 years of driving
“Our country’s truckers literally drive the American economy every single day. They spend countless hours on the road; away from their families; and dealing with traffic, weather, and multiple frustrations. Truck driving is tough work, and we launched the Haul of Fame contest to bring attention to their critical role,” said Relay’s CEO Ryan Droege. “This year’s nominees are all incredible, and the 15 finalists are truly remarkable individuals who deserve recognition.”
Public voting for the 15 finalists will remain open through July 31, 2024.
See also: Carriers and drivers can now use Relay to pay for weighs at 2,200+ CAT Scale locations
Schneider named PepsiCo Asset Sustainability Carrier of the Year for third consecutive year
Schneider National was recently selected as the PepsiCo Asset Sustainability Carrier of the Year. This marks the third consecutive year that Schneider has received this prestigious recognition.
For more than two decades, Schneider has worked closely with PepsiCo, achieving milestones in sustainable transportation. Schneider became the first third-party carrier to transport zero-emission shipments for PepsiCo globally last year. Since then, the company has successfully completed nearly 800 shipments for PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division using its battery electric vehicle fleet in Southern California.
“We are honored to be recognized by PepsiCo for our continued commitment to sustainability,” said Erin Van Zeeland, chief commercial officer, group SVP and GM of logistics at Schneider. “As we continue to drive our industry forward, we are privileged to collaborate with other leaders like PepsiCo, which shares our vision for a greener future. Together, we’re not just reducing emissions; we’re crafting a legacy of responsibility and innovation for a healthier planet.”
Schneider operates one of the most efficient fleets in North America. Last year, Schneider debuted its fleet of nearly 100 BEVs, including 92 Freightliner eCascadias and two Lonestar S22 terminal electric tractors. Since then, the company has surpassed 4 million zero-emission miles of customer freight hauled.
The company also opened a large-scale charging depot at its South El Monte Operations Center in California. The depot features 16 350 kW dual-corded dispensers, allowing 32 trucks to be charged simultaneously.
Growing its BEV fleet is a key aspect of Schneider’s long-term commitment to moving goods as efficiently as possible and emitting less CO2. The company is already 90% of the way to its 2025 goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 7.5% per mile and aims to reduce them by 60% by 2035.
Kaulig Companies Championship and Davey Tree team up to plant trees in Northeast Ohio
The Kaulig Companies Championship and The Davey Tree Expert Company have teamed up for a community initiative to help make Northeast Ohio greener. Through the “Birdies ‘Fore’ Trees” program, the two Northeast Ohio-based organizations have pledged to plant a tree for every birdie made by a PGA Tour Champions professional on Firestone Country Club’s signature 16th hole during the 2024 Kaulig Companies Championship from July 11-14.
The Kaulig Companies Championship team, Davey Tree employees, and community leaders will gather for the inaugural tree-planting event in the coming months.
“The Kaulig Companies Championship is excited to partner with Davey Tree to improve our region,” said Don Padgett, executive director of the Kaulig Companies Championship. “Birdies Fore Trees is a platform that will have long-lasting impact on Northeast Ohio and fits well with our overall sustainability program for the golf tournament.”
In addition, the Kaulig Companies Championship will feature the Davey Tree Courtyard located between the 16th and 17th holes. Fans will enjoy the shade of large oak trees, picnic tables, and views of the 667-yard par-5 16th hole, nicknamed the Monster.
“Davey is excited for this partnership with the PGA Tour Champions event at Firestone Country Club to help bring more trees to Northeast Ohio,” said Sandra Reid, VP of corporate communications and strategic planning at Davey Tree. “At Davey, we recognize the important role trees play in our daily lives, community, and environment, so expanding Northeast Ohio’s tree canopy through the Birdies ‘Fore’ Trees partnership will have many lasting benefits for the area. They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the second-best time is now, so let’s continue to bring more trees to Northeast Ohio, one birdie at a time.”
