MILTON — Troy Davidson, a Navy veteran and Truck Driver Institute graduate from the school's Milton campus, has won the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award.
"I'm humbled and grateful for everyone that voted, supported and believed in me," Davidson said Dec. 16 as he accepted a Kenworth T680, fulfilling one of his goals of becoming an official owner-operator. Davidson was one of three finalists chosen from 40 nominees who competed for the award.
Truck Driver Institute is an adult vocational school that trains individuals and couples to get their Commercial Drivers Licenses and provides ongoing job placement with the institute's more than 20-plus carrier partners.
Transition Trucking is the result of partnerships between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes Program, Kenworth and FASTPORT. The organization aims to create immediate jobs for military veterans transitioning back into civilian life and fill the need for drivers in the trucking industry.
Davidson was hired immediately after graduation in September of 2015 by one of the trucking industry's titans, Werner Enterprises.
When asked about her experience in recruiting Davidson and watching him go through TDI's 15-day CDL program, Director of Student Services Sherry Hart said, "Troy is a hard worker and always has been. This man has an inspirational attitude and incredible outlook on life. Troy visits our campus regularly and encourages students by sharing his experiences on the road.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Panhandle man wins commercial truck