Workforce Heroes Veteran Profiles

Sammy Brewster, ABF Freight System, Inc., is a U.S. Army Veteran who served for 11 years. Sammy transitioned into truck driving and has been driving for 35 years with more than 3 million safe miles behind the wheel. Sammy has received several safe driving awards. 

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. 

Jesus Davila, Werner Enterprises, is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, who served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. During his service, he was the recipient of two personal awards with Combat Distinguishing Devices “V” and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds obtained in combat. Jesus has been a professional truck driver for over four years and has accumulated over 600,000 safe miles. Jesus is currently a member of Werner’s Operation Freedom Fleet, driving the “Remember Everyone Deployed Truck,” dedicated to the U.S. service members currently deployed overseas. 

David Green, Werner Enterprises, is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, who served for four years. David works as a professional truck driver and has been driving for over 32 years, accumulating over 2.6 million safe miles. He is a two-time Werner Star Award and Safety Award winner. David was the original Operation Freedom truck driver, which visited schools, military bases, and job fairs for the recruiting department. He is a former Werner Road Team Captain. He was also a corporate Safety Manager for two years, charged with running Werners’ Driver Simulator program. He is a Smith System Instructor and has trained over 200 drivers in his 23 years as a driver trainer. David was awarded the US Capitol American flag in a ceremony at Werner Museum by Senator Deb Fisher. The White House invited him to discuss the concerns of the us highway infrastructure with former President Donald J. Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao. The White House invited David back when former President Donald J. Trump signed the USMCA bill into law.

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.

Bill McNamee, Carbon Express, is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran who served for eight years. He has been a professional truck driver for over 30 years and has accumulated more than 3 million safe miles. Bill is dedicated to spreading the message of safety throughout the industry and was the recipient of the Truckload Carrier Association’s Highway Angel Award in 2014 and 2020. He has been a Trucker Buddy participant since 1997 and currently mentors three classes of 2nd graders in Southern Illinois. In addition, he is a volunteer firefighter and medical first responder with the Coello Fire Department. 

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.  

Brian Sheehan, CRST The Transportation Solution, Inc., is a military veteran who served for eight years with the U.S. Marine Corps and over seven years with the U.S. Army. Brian has been a professional truck driver for 28 years and has accumulated over 2.8 million safe miles. He transitioned into trucking because of early retirement due to an injury while on deployment in Iraq. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge for his service during Iraqi Freedom. He also received the Marine Corps Combat Action ribbon for his service during Desert Storm.  

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.  

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.