Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026:
Knight Transportation names two new Sales VPs
Knight Transportation has named Shelley Billions and Brian Lewis as vice presidents of sales, expanding the company’s leadership in its Southeast and Northeast regions.
Billions, who joined the Knight-Swift (CCJ Top 250, No. 3) family in 2001, steps into her new role as Vice President of Sales for the Southeast region. During her 22-year career with Knight, she has held various operational and leadership positions, including regional sales manager, Southeast general manager, and terminal manager in Memphis, Tennessee. She also served as a planner, account manager, and driver manager.
Lewis rejoins Knight Transportation as Vice President of Sales for the Northeast region after previously serving with the company from 2000 to 2018. A 2000 graduate of the University of Indianapolis, Lewis held positions in recruiting, customer service, operations, and terminal management during his initial 18-year tenure. Prior to returning, he held leadership roles at NFI, USA Truck, Redwood Logistics, and Wabash.
In his new position, Lewis will focus on new customer acquisition, revenue growth, driver job creation, and cross-selling across the Knight-Swift portfolio.
"Shelley has consistently demonstrated an exceptional work ethic, unwavering commitment to excellence, and a passion for helping others succeed," said Matthew Herman, regional vice president of sales.
Herman also praised Lewis’s return, noting his previous 18-year tenure with Knight Transportation and Knight Refrigerated. "His return is a testament to the strength of Knight's culture. I am confident Brian will make an immediate impact as he leads our Northeast sales efforts," Herman said.
Michigan trucking school suspended over training violations
The Michigan Department of State (MDOS) has summarily suspended the operations of a Marquette, Michigan, truck driver training provider for multiple violations of a Michigan driver training law.
MDOS said the school, Northern Michigan University Truck Driving School, violated the state’s Driver Education Provider and Instructor Act (DEPIA) by providing behind-the-wheel instruction to students without first verifying that they held valid commercial learner’s permits, among other violations.
The state also said that an initial investigation found the provider failed to maintain records required by law, failed to maintain required student financial records, did not utilize required student written agreements prior to instruction, kept records somewhere other than its established office location, and allowed students to sign blank instructional documents that were later completed.
The MDOS Driver Education Unit issued a summary suspension to the school, located at 1401 Presque Isle Ave. in the state’s Upper Peninsula, on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
MDOS noted that the investigation is ongoing, and that no classroom or range instruction may be held during the suspension period. The length of the suspension was not disclosed.
Nebraska, Oregon wildfire emergencies extended
Truck drivers providing direct relief to the ongoing wildfire emergencies in Nebraska and Oregon are getting an additional month of hours-of-service relief.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Aug. 11 announced extensions of both emergencies. Nebraska’s has been in place since mid-March, while Oregon’s has been in effect since mid-June.
Under each state’s emergency declaration, truck drivers providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts related to the emergency in the states are granted emergency relief from the maximum driving time regulations in 49 CFR 395.3.
The regulatory relief applies regardless of the origin of the trip, so long as the carrier or driver is providing direct assistance to the emergency in the affected states.
Each state’s declaration is now effective through Sept. 11 or until the end of the emergency, whichever is sooner.
Paccar Parts expands in Canada
Paccar Parts this week celebrated the grand opening of its new Calgary, Alberta, parts distribution center (PDC).
The new location is the company’s third distribution center in Canada and is strategically located to optimize delivery speed and parts availability across Western Canada.
“Our new Calgary distribution center represents a significant investment in supporting dealers and customers across Western Canada,” said Wibo de Booij, assistant general manager of operations for Paccar Parts. “Combined with advanced inventory management technology, the facility enhances part availability, accelerates order fulfillment and helps maximize customer uptime.”
The 180,000-square-foot facility began operations in February and is the latest addition to Paccar Parts’ global distribution network, which includes 21 PDCs and more than 4 million square feet of warehouse space, the company said.
