ATA Announces 2025 National Driver of the Year Finalists

WASHINGTON — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has revealed the five professional truck driver finalists for the prestigious 2025 ATA National Driver of the Year Award.

Supported by DMC Insurance, this award recognizes a distinguished professional driver for their enduring career accomplishments and unwavering commitment to safety and excellence on the road.

According to the ATA, “The National Driver of the Year is chosen from exceptional state Drivers of the Year nominated by ATA’s affiliated state trucking associations. A panel of industry judges reviews each candidate’s qualifications and achievements to shortlist the finalists.”

2025 Finalists

Steve Brand

With 36 years of professional driving experience, including 29 years at FedEx Freight, Brand has logged over 4.8 million miles without an accident. He is an active participant in America’s Road Team and the FedEx Freight Road Team, serves as an Ambassador for Truckers Against Trafficking, and was named the 2024 Ohio Driver of the Year.

Don Carpenter

Carpenter has amassed 45 years of professional driving experience, including the last 11 with Old Dominion Freight Line. He has driven more than 4.5 million accident-free miles and is an Army veteran as well as a competitor in Truck Driving Championships. Carpenter received the title of 2024 Oklahoma Driver of the Year.

Kevin Flick

Flick’s career spans 37 years, with 22 years at Buchheit Logistics, during which he has achieved over 6.1 million accident-free miles. He is an 11-time member of the Missouri Trucking Association’s Chairman’s Safe Driver Club, a seven-time Missouri Trucking Association Driver of the Month, and the 2024 Missouri Driver of the Year.

Williams Jones

With a staggering 51 years of driving experience, including 29 years with Walmart Transportation, Jones has accumulated over seven million accident-free miles. He was recognized as Walmart Driver of the Year in 2006 and serves as a certified driver trainer, mentoring many up-and-coming drivers. He received the honor of 2025 Kansas Driver of the Year.

Duane Staveness

Staveness has driven professionally for 33 years, including 25 years with FedEx Freight, and has reported more than 2.55 million accident-free miles. He is a member of the Wisconsin Road Team and has been part of the Master Presidents Club for safe driving for 25 years. Additionally, he was the 2018 NTDC 5-Axle National Champion and awarded the 2025 Wisconsin Driver of the Year.

The winners will be determined by the Safety Management Council Awards & Recognition Committee based on their video submissions. The announcement will take place at the ATA’s Safety, Security and Human Resources National Conference and Exhibition in Oklahoma City from April 1 – 3, 2026.

For information on previous finalists, click here.