Five Veteran Truckers Named Finalists for Prestigious Transition Trucking Award

Five finalists named for Transition Trucking award honoring military veterans

Five military veterans who recently entered the professional trucking industry have been selected as finalists for the 11th annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award.

The finalists were announced by Kenworth Truck Company, Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program. The award recognizes veterans who have successfully transitioned from military service into professional truck driving careers.

Public voting will be held from Nov. 1 through Veterans Day on Nov. 11. The vote will be considered along with the Selection Committee’s review before the final decision is made. The winner will be announced Dec. 15 at the Veteran Ready Summit at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The five finalists are Mohammad Arzola of Patriot Group International, Monica Brooks-Buck and Brandon Ward of Werner Enterprises, Daniel Doss of Melton Truck Lines, and Gary W. Williams of Stevens Transport.

Mohammad Arzola

Arzola, a retired U.S. Marine Corps sergeant major, enlisted in 1997 and served for 27 years. His military assignments included work as a machine gunner, drill instructor and senior enlisted leader with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, the 1st Marine Raider Battalion and several aviation commands.

He deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and received the Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon. A San Antonio native, Arzola graduated from California Career Schools and recorded more than 100,000 safe miles, earning the Spirit of HEB Award, before joining Patriot Group International.

Monica Brooks-Buck

Brooks-Buck is a retired U.S. Army veteran with nearly 25 years of service. More than two decades of that career were spent in logistics, including work as a 92Y supply specialist and an Army Master Driver.

She graduated from the Truck Driver Institute in Saucier, Mississippi, and joined Werner Enterprises in September 2025. She is a registered apprentice in Werner’s truck driver apprenticeship program and drives as part of a team with her husband. Brooks-Buck is also studying information technology and belongs to the Women In Trucking Association and Disabled American Veterans.

Daniel Doss

Doss served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force as a fuels specialist after enlisting in 2015. During his military career, he supported humanitarian relief operations following Hurricane Michael, served with the Base Honor Guard and led fuel operations and maintenance teams both in the United States and during a deployment to the United Arab Emirates.

Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Doss graduated from the Troops Into Transportation program at Fort Benning. He joined Melton Truck Lines in September 2025 and drives flatbed as a registered apprentice.

Brandon Ward

Ward is a retired U.S. Navy senior chief petty officer who served more than 22 years as a Master-at-Arms and Expeditionary Warfare Specialist. Before entering trucking, he also held a senior career with the Department of Homeland Security, where he worked as a hiring official and served on recruitment teams helping transitioning service members enter the federal workforce.

Ward graduated from Roadmaster Drivers School in Orlando, Florida, in September 2025 and joined Werner Enterprises later that month as a registered apprentice. He continues to mentor veterans as they move from military service into civilian careers.

Gary W. Williams

Williams served 31 years in the U.S. Army, rising to chief medical noncommissioned officer and retiring as a command sergeant major. His military career included leadership, medical and mentoring responsibilities.

He graduated from Southern Careers Institute in January 2026 and joined Stevens Transport several weeks later. Williams remains a resource for soldiers he previously led, who continue to contact him for advice.

Transitioning service members bring experience in logistics, equipment operation, safety, leadership and maintenance to the trucking industry. Programs such as Transition Trucking are designed to recognize veterans who apply those skills while building new careers behind the wheel.

Kenworth will provide the grand prize for the 11th consecutive year. The winner will receive a Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and a PACCAR powertrain that includes the PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles.

The award also includes recognition for the other finalists. The runner-up will receive $10,000, while each of the remaining finalists will receive $5,000.

All five finalists will travel to West Point in December as guests of the program. They will participate in events connected to the Veteran Ready Summit before the winner is announced on Dec. 15.