More than miles: Celebrating Netradyne's 2026 Driver Awards winners and finalists

Every day, professional drivers make countless decisions that keep people, goods, and communities moving safely. Their professionalism, skill, and commitment often go unnoticed. But they deserve to be recognized.

At Netradyne, we created the Driver Awards Program to celebrate the drivers who exemplify the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement, while recognizing the fleets that empower them to succeed.

More than an awards program, the Driver Awards celebrate the habits, leadership, and commitment that create safer roads and stronger safety cultures. Our vision is to establish the industry's premier driver recognition program—one that inspires excellence, champions data-driven safety, and showcases the organizations leading the way toward safer, smarter, and more efficient fleets.

"The Driver Awards celebrate the people behind those decisions. We're proud to recognize the drivers who lead by example and the fleets that invest in coaching, innovation, and a culture of continuous improvement. Their commitment to safety is helping shape the future of our industry."
- Heather Engen, Chief Customer Officer

Honoring excellence behind the wheel

The Driver Awards recognize excellence across three categories:

Top Driver Award

The Top Driver Award honors drivers who consistently perform at the highest level through exceptional GreenZone® scores, extended safe-driving streaks, minimal risky driving events, and unwavering adherence to safe driving practices. These individuals set the benchmark for what elite professional driving looks like.

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award recognizes a driver who has demonstrated exceptional improvement through measurable gains in safe driving performance, a commitment to coaching, and a dedication to continuous learning. This year's recipient exemplifies how embracing feedback and striving for improvement can lead to outstanding results.

Rookie Award

The Rookie Award recognizes an emerging driver who has quickly established a strong foundation of safe driving habits, professionalism, and operational excellence early in their career. This year's recipient demonstrates that exceptional safety begins from day one and that the next generation of professional drivers is already raising the bar.

The drivers behind the awards

Selecting this year's honorees was no easy task. Every nominee demonstrated remarkable professionalism, exceptional driving performance, and an unwavering commitment to safety. Behind every GreenZone score is a story of discipline, leadership, and dedication.

Meet the drivers whose commitment to safety earned them recognition as Netradyne's 2026 Driver Award winners.

Trucking

Tony Wilson, J.L. Rothrock, Inc.

For 26 years, Tony Wilson has done something most professional drivers can only aspire to—he has maintained a career with zero DOT-recordable accidents.

But Tony's impact extends far beyond his own impressive record.

After consistently earning his company's monthly Top Driver recognition for an entire year, Tony became so dominant that J.L. Rothrock redesigned its awards program to create opportunities for others. In the process, he inspired the creation of the company's "1000 Club," motivating fellow drivers to pursue elite safety performance and creating a culture where excellence became the standard.

With more than three million career miles and an unwavering commitment to safe driving, Tony represents what sustained excellence looks like.

Also recognized: Congratulations to finalist Lynn Spittle of Transervice Logistics, whose exceptional GreenZone performance, dedication as a Driver Trainer, and commitment to mentoring fellow drivers earned well deserved recognition.

Distribution

Michael Wells, C&S Wholesale Grocers

Over more than 40 years behind the wheel, Michael Wells has accumulated more than 2.4 million professional miles without a single preventable accident—a remarkable achievement few drivers will ever match.

Even after decades of safe driving, Michael continues looking for ways to improve. Since adopting Netradyne, he has achieved a perfect 1050 GreenZone score twice, consistently ranks as his company's top driver, and has passed every DOT roadside inspection throughout his career.

Perhaps even more impressive is his willingness to share what he's learned. Michael actively mentors newer drivers, proving that great safety leaders don't just protect themselves, they help elevate everyone around them.

Also recognized: Congratulations to finalist Chris Smith, also of C&S Wholesale Grocers, whose outstanding safety performance, leadership as a Certified Driver Trainer, and dedication to mentoring fellow drivers helped to set a high standard for the category.

Home & Commercial Services

Chris Johnson, ABC Supply Co., Inc.

Chris Johnson has earned the respect of his teammates by setting the standard for what great leadership looks like behind the wheel.

A three-time recipient of ABC Supply's Recognition of Driver Excellence (RODE) award and a Certified Driver Trainer, Chris is known not only for his exceptional driving record, but for the pride, professionalism, and passion he brings to the job every day. From embracing new technology and helping shape a culture of continuous improvement to mentoring new drivers and celebrating their success, Chris leads by example in everything he does.

His influence extends far beyond his own performance. Through his dedication to safety, reliability, and teamwork, Chris has inspired those around him to raise the bar, creating a branch culture where excellence is shared, not just expected.

Chris proves that the best leaders aren't defined by their title, they're defined by the positive impact they have on everyone around them.

Also recognized: Congratulations to finalist Donald Martin, also of ABC Supply, whose outstanding performance, coaching mindset, and dedication to helping fellow drivers improve exemplify the spirit of this award.

Infrastructure & Construction Services

Travis Wegner, Jackson Energy

Safety is second nature for Travis Wegner.

A two-time Idaho Driver of the Year and Jackson Energy's designated Lead Driver for the Meridian market, Travis has built a career defined by discipline, awareness, and service.

Drawing on lessons from his military background, Travis applies exceptional situational awareness every time he gets behind the wheel. He has trained numerous drivers, willingly shares advice, and consistently ranks among the company's safest performers.

His leadership reminds us that the best drivers never stop helping others improve.

Also recognized: Congratulations to finalist James Ingham, also of Jackson Energy, whose exceptional driving record, commitment to safe driving principles, and willingness to support his teammates will leave a lasting impact.

Waste & Sanitation

Mike Dozier, Green Environmental Services

For more than 22 years, Mike Dozier has demonstrated that safety isn't just part of the job—it's the foundation of everything he does.

Mike approaches every day with professionalism, accountability, and pride in his work. Whether planning the safest route, maintaining one of the company's best-kept trucks, or delivering exceptional service to every customer, he consistently goes above and beyond while never compromising on safety.

With an outstanding driving record and little need for coaching, Mike has earned the trust of both his leadership team and fellow drivers. His consistency, integrity, and unwavering commitment to safety make him a role model both on and off the road.

Passenger Transit

Machel Manuel, Zum

For 36 years, Machel Manuel has done more than transport students. She has helped children start each school day feeling safe, welcomed, and cared for.

Serving students in St. Louis Public Schools, including many with special needs, Machel has earned the trust of families through her patience, kindness, and unwavering commitment to safety.

"I care about my students. I like to be at work every day, and I try to make sure thatI give them the respect that they deserve."

Her colleagues describe her as someone who greets every student with a smile, builds meaningful relationships with families, and serves as a mentor for fellow drivers.

While every Top Driver Award winner demonstrated extraordinary performance, Machel reminds us that professional driving is ultimately about people.

Also recognized: Congratulations to finalist Ada Diaz-Pellot of Suffolk Transportation Service, whose near-perfect safety performance, professionalism, and dedication to protecting students made her an outstanding finalist in this year's Passenger Transit category.

Celebrating the next generation of safety leaders

Rising Star Award

Zhi Chong Ling, Zum

Growth deserves recognition.

As this year's Rising Star, Zhi Chong Ling demonstrated that excellence isn't defined by years of experience, but by a commitment to learning, professionalism, and safe driving every day.

Navigating the busy streets of San Francisco while transporting students requires constant focus. Throughout the school year, Zhi remained accident- and incident-free while earning the respect of colleagues through his reliability, discipline, and dedication to protecting the students and communities he serves.

His story is a reminder that continuous improvement is one of the most powerful drivers of safer roads.

Rookie Award

Carlos Gonzalez, McKesson Medical-Surgical Supply

Every experienced driver started somewhere. Carlos Gonzalez has wasted no time establishing himself as one of the industry's safest emerging professionals.

In his first year alone, Carlos drove nearly 100,000 accident-free miles, earned more than 2,200 DriverStars, and consistently demonstrated exceptional situational awareness while maintaining one of his company's highest GreenZone scores.

His achievements prove that great safety habits can begin on day one, and that the future of our industry is in good hands.

Celebrating the people driving our industry forward

While these awards recognize individual achievement, they also celebrate something bigger: the culture of safety that Netradyne customers are building every day.

Every nominee, finalist, and winner reminds us that safer roads are created by one decision, one mile, and one driver at a time.

To every fleet leader who invests in coaching, every manager who recognizes excellence, and every driver who chooses to do the right thing behind the wheel each day, thank you.

The 2026 Driver Awards were officially announced in August, and throughout Driver Appreciation Month this September, we'll be celebrating our winners with onsite recognition events and sharing more of the stories that make this industry extraordinary.

Congratulations to our 2026 Driver Awards winners and finalists. Thank you for raising the standard for fleet safety and inspiring the next generation of professional drivers.