Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025:
Four military vets named ‘Transition Trucking’ finalists
Four military veteran rookie truck drivers have been named finalists for the 10th annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award, recognizing veterans who have successfully transitioned into professional truck driving careers.
In Ohio last week, 12 semi-finalists were distinguished guests at a reception held at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. The following day, the Kenworth truck manufacturing plant in Chillicothe hosted the event where finalists were announced.
Finalists for 2025 are summarized below in alphabetical order by last name:
- Nicholas Baughan, U.S. Army (E-5) and Army Reserve, Werner Enterprises (CCJ Top 250, No. 14): Baughan, from Nunica, Michigan, is a decorated U.S. Army veteran who has served since 2004. Beginning his career as a military police officer, he later transitioned to Infantry and deployed multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond, earning numerous awards, including the Purple Heart. With more than two decades of service, Baughan held roles from team leader to senior intelligence sergeant, with assignments across Europe and South Korea. He is currently preparing to retire from the U.S. Army Reserve in January 2026.
- Charles Jones Jr., U.S. Army (E-7), Roehl Transport (No. 60): Jones graduated from high school in Indian Trail, North Carolina in 2004 and committed to the Army through the Delayed Entry Program. With more than 20 years of service, he served as an unmanned aircraft systems operator, instructor operator, standards operator, and platoon sergeant, completing three combat deployments to Iraq and two rotations to South Korea. A devoted husband to Katrina and father to Alvin and Monica, Jones graduated from Georgia Driving Academy in December 2024 and began his professional driving career with Roehl Transport in early 2025.
- Macy Mattice, U.S. Army (E-4), Melton Truck Lines (No. 72): Mattice is a proud U.S. Army veteran who served from 2010-2018 as an 88M motor transport operator, specializing in heavy equipment transportation. Today, she is a flatbed driver for Melton Truck Lines, where she applies the discipline and determination gained from military service. Originally from Winter Springs, Florida, Mattice lives near Jacksonville with her son, Rusty. She loves adventure, animals, and embracing new challenges -- continuing to write her next chapter, one road at a time.
- Mark Scriven, U.S. Army (E-6), Stevens Transport (No. 52): Scriven, a U.S. Army veteran and former staff sergeant, served nine years as a patriot missile operator/maintainer, earning multiple Army achievement medals and recognition as a combat lifesaver. Today, he brings the same dedication, discipline, and leadership he obtained in the military to his career as a truck driver and trainer with Stevens Transport. Scriven, a father of three, recently welcomed a daughter in August.
Under the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program, Kenworth will provide the grand prize for the 10th consecutive year. This year’s award is a T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission, and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles.
While the grand prize winner will drive away in a state-of-the-art Kenworth T680 truck, the program also ensures every finalist is recognized. The runner-up will receive a $10,000 award and remaining finalists will each receive a $5,000 prize, underscoring the program’s commitment to the success of all honorees who served and are excelling in the commercial trucking industry.
Public voting for the award will be held from Nov. 1 through Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The final winner will be revealed on Dec. 12 during a special event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
Truck freight tonnage saw August gains, yet strong finish to year uncertain
Trucking activity in the United States increased again in August, pushing the level up to the highest point since December 2023, noted the American Trucking Associations in its monthly tonnage report.
Specifically, truck freight tonnage rose 0.9% after gaining 1.1% in July, according to the ATA’s advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index.
Truck freight tonnage is at its highest level since December 2023.ATA
“The good news is that truck freight volumes had a nice end of the summer,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “However, while I’d like to predict a strong rebound in freight levels through the upcoming holidays, I can’t. I believe traditional seasonal patterns are off this year as shippers adjust to tariffs. Plus, housing remains soft, the slowing labor market is likely to show up in consumer spending at some point, and most manufacturing metrics are either decelerating or declining.”
In August, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 115.3, up from 114.3 in July. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, rose 0.4% from the same month last year after increasing 0.5% in July. Year-to-date, compared with the same period in 2024, tonnage was up 0.1%.
The not seasonally adjusted index, which calculates raw changes in tonnage hauled, equaled 117.7 in August, 0.3% above July’s reading of 117.4.
Trucking market conditions improved from June to July
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) for July improved marginally to a reading of -1.03 from June’s -1.83 even though all freight-related factors were weaker than they were the month before.
Offsetting that deterioration was a considerable slowing of diesel price increases after a big jump in June, FTR noted. Trucking is still in the doldrums, but the outlook is somewhat more favorable for carriers.
“We do not see the market any stronger for carriers soon in the areas that matter most to them – freight rates and volume – but a recent preliminary revision of trucking employment estimates suggests tighter capacity than previously indicated,” said Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking. “Meanwhile, other potential capacity stresses loom, including rising truck insurance costs and pressure on foreign drivers. Although our utilization forecast is still basically flat, the prospects have risen for improved freight volume to strengthen the truck freight market noticeably.”
