Top three finalists announced in search for America’s rookie military veteran driver

The top three finalists have been announced in the search for America’s top rookie military veteran driver as FASTPORT narrows down the competition. 

FASTPORT’s “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence,” program is dedicated to finding qualified and deserving rookie military veteran drivers, and recognizes those who have made a successful transition from active duty military to driving for a commercial fleet as part of their ‘Hiring our Heroes’ initiative. In order to qualify for the competition, drivers must have been active military or member of the National Guard or Reserve, graduated from PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school, with a valid CDL, and hired into a trucking position between January 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021.

This year, the top three finalist drivers are:

Jimmy Reddell with Stevens Transport  – US Army, Army Reserves 

James Rose with PRIME Inc. – US Marines 

Christopher Slindee with Knight Transportation – US Army 

The overall winner will receive  a Kenworth T680 with a 76-inch sleeper, featuring a PACCAR Powertrain with PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles.

“Congratulations to our three finalists – Jimmy Reddell, James Rose and Christopher Slindee – and to the other successful drivers who achieved Top 10 status in this special recognition program,” said Jim Walenczak, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “Kenworth’s continuing participation is a way to thank our military veterans for their service, and to encourage the trucking industry to offer them career opportunities and support.”

“Each of our three finalists achieved significant accomplishments during their military careers and are now excelling as professional truck drivers. It is always important to help our veterans make a smooth transition into civilian life, and the trucking industry certainly provides a key avenue for that objective,” said Brad Bentley, FASTPORT president.

Anyone interested in voting for the overall winner can vote online from Oct. 28 until Veterans Day Nov. 11. A selection Committee will then choose the winner and announce their choice on December 17th at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

For more information visit the Transition Trucking website here, or the Hiring Our Heroes website here.