Excellence Driven: Two TMC Drivers Named Finalists in National Industry Award Programs

TMC was thrilled to have two professional truck drivers representing the company as top ten finalists in two separate award programs this past weekend at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, TX. The annual programs, Trucking’s Top Rookie and Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence, celebrate drivers new to the trucking industry.

Chris Bacon, who was named a top ten finalist in the Transition Trucking award program last month, was among three other drivers from various carriers announced to advance to the next phase.

The program serves as a platform to inspire the hiring of more veterans, National Guard members, and reservists. Deserving veteran drivers who have made a successful transition from military service to the trucking industry are recognized and awarded for their success.

Chris, a 31 year-old native of the St. Louis, MO area and a United States Marine Corps Veteran, served two combat tours. He worked as an Anti-tank Missileman during his time in Afghanistan and Iraq.

After an honorable discharge in 2010, Chris worked as an automotive technician and service advisor before deciding to fulfill his dream of becoming a truck driver as his grandfather and great grandfather had done. Chris earned his Class A CDL at MTC Driver Training and went to work for TMC Transportation as a professional flatbed truck driver

Chris traveled to Washington D.C. in December where the winner of the Transition Trucking: Driver for Excellence was announced. While Chris did not take home the top prize, he was the third runnerup and took home $5,000 and memories to last a lifetime.

Tyria Snow, a top ten finalist in the annual Trucking’s Top Rookie award program, was also recognized at GATS.

Before joining the trucking industry, Tyria spent two years as the Assistant Coach of the McNeese State University women’s basketball team. She then turned her attention to shaping the young minds in her community as a high school U.S. History teacher and student counselor.

In October 2018, Tyria decided it was time for a change of pace and enrolled at Diesel Driving Academy where she obtained her CDL. She didn’t know much about the trucking industry, but she saw it as a challenge she was determined to take on.

Upon joining the Black and Chrome fleet, Tyria quickly made a name for herself in the male dominated industry. Coupled with a patient and encouraging trainer, Tyria quickly mastered the art of flatbedding.

She turned the key to her own truck for the first time in December 2018. Honing in on her athletic and competitive nature, Tyria found that she was a better truck driver than she thought imaginable.

Taking home the title of 2019’s Trucking’s Top Rookie and $10,000 was a driver from Stevens Transport. Tyria, alongside each finalist, was awarded $1,000 and a prize package from the RoadPro family of brands and Rand McNally.

Congratulations to both Chris and Tyria! We are proud to have these two as ambassadors for TMC and the trucking industry as a whole.