Five Good Things: Trucking celebrates heroes, education, and community

Truck driver recognized as TCA Highway Angel for life-saving actions

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has recognized Luis Davila of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, as a TCA Highway Angel for his quick thinking and actions that helped protect an elderly man in distress. Davila drives for ABF Freight out of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

The incident occurred on July 10 in Arizona Village, Arizona. While driving, Davila noticed an elderly man on a motorized scooter swerving down the highway.

“He was in the middle of the road, and he was just swerving left to right,” Davila recalled. “I was like, that’s not safe. I put my hazards on because I didn’t want anyone behind me to run into him.”

Davila stayed behind the man with his flashers on, acting as a protective buffer to shield him from oncoming traffic. As they approached a curve, the scooter tipped, and the man was thrown hard onto the pavement.

Davila pulled over to help. Fortunately, other motorists—including a police officer—stopped as well, and the man received the attention he needed. Thanks to Davila’s alertness, the man avoided a more serious injury.

Bendix Acuña partners with UTCA to train next-generation technicians and upskill employees

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has entered into a new educational and workforce partnership with the Universidad Tecnológica de Ciudad Acuña (UTCA) to expand access to training, internships, and professional development opportunities for students and employees.

“We’re proud to partner with UTCA to help develop the next generation of skilled professionals while opening new doors for current Bendix employees to continue their education,” said Oscar Campos, HR director at the Bendix Acuña facility and Mexico HR country lead. “This is a mutually beneficial collaboration—and one that reflects our long-standing commitment to investing in people and supporting our community.”

Unlike temporary summer programs, these internships require participants to fulfill academic requirements—typically 480 to 680 hours—and involve guidance from Bendix staff. Students are selected based on project needs and relevant coursework, with the support of UTCA and the Bendix recruiting team.

In addition to hands-on training, all interns are assigned mentors to guide them throughout their time at Bendix, reinforcing the company’s commitment to technical and soft skill development. Interns receive compensation for their work—and in some cases, transition into full-time roles after graduation.

The collaboration also extends to Bendix employees who wish to pursue degrees at UTCA. Under the agreement, employees are eligible for substantial tuition assistance, including:

• 50% scholarships for all employees enrolling in UTCA degree programs
• 100% scholarships for employees who maintain an academic average between 96 and 100 after the first four-month period

These scholarships, offered alongside Bendix’s own education benefit programs, provide an accessible pathway for employees to earn degrees in fields such as mechatronics, automotive systems, accounting, and logistics and supply chain.

ATA announces 2025 National Truck Driving Champions, highlighting driver safety and operational excellence

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) recently announced that David Comings, a professional driver with FedEx Freight from North Dakota, is the Bendix Grand Champion at the 2025 National Truck Driving & Step Van Championships.

“Congratulations to David on his extraordinary achievement,” said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. “Over the course of three decades and 3.1 million accident-free miles, David has proven his driving prowess and commitment to safety. This week, David put on a master class of precision and professionalism that define NTDC, emerging from an elite field of highly skilled competitors. Here in Minneapolis, the best of the best of the nation’s truck drivers showed the world what our industry is all about. Each one is a champion in his or her own right, leading with safety and setting the bar high.”

ATA’s National Truck Driving & Step Van Championships took place from August 20 to 23 in Minneapolis, bringing together 425 drivers representing 56 companies from 49 states with a combined total of nearly 756 million accident-free miles.

The drivers competed in a variety of events designed to measure their driving prowess, industry knowledge, and dedication to safety. Comings took home the Bendix Grand Champion award, as well as first place in the 5-axle vehicle class.

Comings has been a professional driver for nearly 30 years, accumulating 3.1 million safe driving miles. He has competed three times in the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association state trucking championships and three times in the National Truck Driving Championships. In 2022 and 2023, he took first place in North Dakota’s 4-axle category. Last year, he took first place in North Dakota’s 5-axle category.

This year’s event included driving competitions across nine vehicle classes, vehicle inspection, and a written exam. A full list of award winners can be viewed here.

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The Trucking Cares Foundation raises industry awareness on fentanyl risks and driver safety initiatives

In Times Square, the Trucking Cares Foundation (TCF) joined Facing Fentanyl and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on the fourth annual National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day to focus attention on the threat posed by fentanyl.

A TCF Fentanyl Awareness trailer on loan from the ATA member company Ability Tri Modal was parked behind family members of fatal fentanyl poisoning victims as they shared their stories. DEA Administrator Terry Cole, as well as other top government and law enforcement officials, expressed their commitment to putting an end to this public health crisis.

Following the event, the TCF Fentanyl Awareness trailer was positioned outside Grand Central Station for a procession to St. Patrick’s Cathedral before America’s Road Team Captains Sammy Brewster and Teddy Butler of ABF Freight drove it back to where it is housed in Ladson, South Carolina.

“On behalf of the Trucking Cares Foundation, I want to recognize all of those whose loved ones have perished from fentanyl poisonings. Rather than just accepting these terrible losses, these brave individuals responded with action, taking it upon themselves to honor their departed friends and family members by working tirelessly to spread the word about the dangers of fentanyl,” said John Lynch, ATA SVP of federation relations and TCF president. “ATA is proud to join this public awareness effort and work with law enforcement to reduce the amount of illicit and lethal substances that are tearing apart communities. We appreciated the opportunity to bring our fentanyl PSA trailer wrap to Times Square and increase the visibility of this issue. We also encourage more motor carriers to follow Ability Tri Modal’s example by deploying these rolling billboards on highways from coast to coast and helping to save lives.”

Assurant and CNH team with Habitat for Humanity to support community housing in Wisconsin

Assurant, through the Assurant Foundation, and CNH, an equipment, technology, and services company, are partnering for the third consecutive year with Habitat for Humanity of Racine & Kenosha Counties to help build two new homes for Racine families, helping them realize the dream of homeownership. This latest project will bring the partners’ total to six homes built for deserving community families since 2021.

Assurant has maintained a relationship with Habitat for Humanity International since 2018. Over the past eight years, the Assurant Foundation has invested over $1.4 million in Habitat for Humanity chapters across the U.S. From 2024 to date, Assurant employees have dedicated more than 2,000 volunteer hours in support of home builds.

“Habitat for Humanity of Racine & Kenosha Counties is a valued partner of the Assurant Foundation, and we’re always proud to volunteer alongside our clients to create meaningful impact,” said Mike Medeiros, VP of commercial equipment, Assurant. “Joining forces with CNH amplifies our ability to support families who are working hard to create a better future. The initiative reflects both companies’ long-standing commitment to strengthening the communities where we live and work, and I look forward to future collaboration.”