Workforce Heroes Veteran Profiles

Victor Blackburn, Prime Inc., US Army Veteran, served for 3 years  from 1988 to 1991. He has been a professional driver for 27+ years, almost 22 years with Prime Inc., with over 3 million safe miles. He is a CDL Instructor and driver trainer. Presently serves on the Driver Advisory Board and a member of the Driver Development Advisory Council for Prime. Awards: Contractor of the Month 2 times, Contractor of the Year once. MO driver of the month 2 times.

Teddy Butler, ABF Freight System, Inc., is a U.S. Army Veteran who served for 27 years, before beginning his career as a professional truck driver. He has been a professional truck driver for over 17 years and has accumulated over 1 million safe miles. Teddy is an ABF Driver Development Program instructor and Teamster Military Assistance Program liaison where he coaches, trains, and mentors soldiers who are transitioning from the military into careers in trucking.

Kevin Byrnes, United Parcel Service, is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran who served for four years from 1982-1986 before becoming a professional truck driver. Kevin has been a driver for 37 years and has been driving for UPS for the last 35 years. He has accumulated over 3 million safe miles. In 2015, Kevin was inducted into the UPS Circle of Honor. In 2007, Kevin was named Rookie of the Year at the New Jersey Truck Driving Championships and placed 1st in the 4-axle class. Kevin won the 2019 New Jersey Truck Driving Championships in the 5-axle class. In 2022, Kevin placed 2nd in the 5-axel class and 3rd in the sleeper class in 2023. 

Perry Carter, Cargo Transporters, Inc., is a U.S. Air Force Veteran who served from 1978 to 1984. Perry has been a professional truck driver for 33 years and has accumulated over 2.7 million safe miles. In 2023, he received his second Ride of Pride tractor from Cargo Transporters. He has been a Wreaths Across America Driver at Arlington National Cemetery since 2018. In 2023, Perry was selected to drive The Wall That Heals exhibit for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. The exhibit is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC designed to travel to communities throughout the United States. 

Antonio Cruz, Groendyke Transport is an over-the-road professional driver with more than 10 years of experience and over 518,235 safe driving miles. With over a decade of experience and more than 518,235 safe driving miles, Antonio Cruz has built a distinguished career as an over-the-road professional driver. Throughout his career, Antonio has been recognized for his outstanding performance with multiple honors, including Driver of the Month, Driver of the Year, and Monthly Safety Awards. Before entering the trucking industry, Antonio dedicated 22 years of service to the United States Army. As a combat-wounded veteran, his military background reflects the same discipline, integrity, and dedication he brings to his work as a professional driver.  

Jason Damron, Convoy Systems is a U.S. Army veteran who served four years as a Combat Engineer (12B) before beginning his trucking career in 1999. A professional truck driver for more than 26 years, Jason has logged 3.4 million safe miles, including 16 years with Convoy Systems. During his tenure, he served on Convoy’s Accident Review Board and was recognized as Convoy Driver of the Month and KMCA Driver of the Month in 2018. Jason has been a Kansas Road Team Captain since 2018 and a member of Wreaths Across America’s Honor Fleet since 2014. An active competitor since 2014, Jason is a two-time Kansas 5-Axle Champion and has competed at the National Championships three times (2017, 2022, and 2024), in addition to volunteering at Nationals in 2025.

Lloyd Howell, TCW, Inc., is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, who served for four years. Lloyd has been a professional truck driver for 28 years and has accumulated over 1.7 million safe miles. He has received several awards for safety and leadership. In 2015, Lloyd was named an Alabama Trucking Association Road Team Captain. He is dedicated to the professional growth of transitioning drivers, serving as a Driver Trainer, Mentor, and Master Coach at TCW.  

Nate McCarty, ABF Freight System, Inc., is a U.S. Army National Guard Veteran, having served for eight years in the Colorado National Guard and in Operation Desert Storm. Nate has been a professional truck driver for 30 years and has accumulated over 3 million safe miles. Nate received his 25-Year Safe Driving Award from ABF Freight. In 2012, Nate received the Leo Wozniak Professional Award during the Colorado State Truck Driving Championship.

Tim Melody, ABF Freight System, Inc., is a U.S. Army Veteran who served for five years, where he was trained to drive a wide range of heavy vehicles, including tractor-trailers. This experience made it clear to Tim that a career in truck driving after serving was a great option. Tim has now been a professional truck driver for 34 years and has accumulated more than 3.8 million safe miles. He is a five-time winner at the Idaho Truck Driving Championships, twice in twins, twice in tank, and once in sleeper. He is a two-time Grand Champion at the Idaho Truck Driving Championships.  

Earl Taylor, Penske Logistics, is a U.S. Army Veteran who served for nine years. Earl has been a professional truck driver for 35 years and has accumulated more than 3 million safe miles. He serves as a driver trainer and a member of the safety team at his Penske Logistics terminal.  

Dave Thomas, ABF Freight, is a U.S. Army veteran who served 4 years and participated in Operation Desert Storm.Dave has been a professional truck driver for 34 years and has accumulated over 3 and a half million safe miles. Dave is a member of the ABF Freight Road team and a "wellness core value" leader.
 

Anthony Tirone, Walmart Transportation is a proud U.S. Army veteran who served for four years and brings 33 years of professional driving experience, including more than 3 million safe miles. He serves as an America’s Road Team Captain, Florida Road Team Captain, Walmart Driver Ambassador Captain, and NATMI-certified driver trainer, and has received numerous safety and leadership awards throughout his career. For the past 11 years with Walmart Transportation, Anthony has remained committed to safety and excellence, with a passion for educating drivers and the motoring public on sharing the road safely. He is also dedicated to supporting military service members transitioning into the trucking industry, recognizing the valuable skills they bring.

Derrick Whittle, Cargo Transporters, Inc., is a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran, honorably discharged after serving four years. Derrick has been a professional truck driver for 31 years and has accumulated 3.2 million safe miles. He is often a voice for the trucking industry with numerous media outlets and the community. Derrick has been named North Carolina Driver of the Month (2011) and received the 39-years of Annual Safe Driving Award. He has been involved in “Ride of Pride,” veteran’s events for over a decade, which include parades, recruiting events, school presentations, and press engagements. He has been the designated driver for Wreaths Across America since 2012, and has been a convoy member for five years, Derrick was named a Road Highway Hero in 2015 by Road Safe America and a finalist for DMC Insurance Driver of the Year in 2022.