Alabama Trucking’s Safety & Maintenance Management Council showcased its top fleets and professionals at its annual Fleet Safety Awards Banquet.
The Alabama Trucking Association’s Safety & Maintenance Management Council pulled out all the stops for its Annual Fleet Safety Awards banquet at the Robert Trent Jones Ross Bridge Banquet Hall in Hoover. The event celebrated the trucking industry’s top talent, honoring the dedication and excellence of those who set the bar high for professionalism and safety. It was an unforgettable evening, spotlighting the best of Alabama’s vital trucking industry.
“The awards recognize outstanding commitment to safety and excellence in Alabama’s trucking industry,” said ATA Chairman of the Board Joe Black. “Even if you or your company don’t take home a plaque tonight, you are all winners, and your efforts are greatly appreciated. I also want to commend our Safety and Maintenance Management Council for their incredible contributions, allowing us to work with the best in our industry. For those not yet involved with the SMMC, I encourage you to connect with some of the most knowledgeable professionals out there.”
The evening’s top honor, Driver of the Year, sponsored by Southland Transportation Group, went to James White of Birmingham-based P&S Transportation. White, 71, has driven nearly 5 million miles without a single accident in over three decades, earning his reputation as a trusted leader for one of the nation’s largest, most successful fleets.
“I’m so blessed to win this award,” White said. “I work hard to be the best I can be in everything I do. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said if you’re going to be a street sweeper, make sure your street is the cleanest in the neighborhood. I love what I do and I take pride in what I do. That’s why I strive to be the best truck driver out there.”
Trucking is a second career for Mr. White after spending 20 years working in the piney woods and sawmills of East Texas. Once he earned his CDL at 41 years of age, he took to the road, hauling everything from lumber to steel. Thirteen years ago, he joined P&S and quickly established himself among the company’s most reliable and respected employees.
He’s now a member of P&S Transportation’s 2 Million Mile Safe Driver Club and Legends Club. He’s been the carrier’s Independent Contractor of the Month several times and was honored as the firm’s 2022 Independent Contractor of the Year. This also isn’t his first major industry award. Last year, he was selected as one of the Truckload Carrier Association’s Professional Drivers of the Year.
Runner-up for Driver of the Year was Charlie Salter of LB3, LLC., a trusted safety advocate for his company and the SMMC for years. He has more than 35 years of driving and training experience and is a long-time member of the Alabama Trucking Road Team, a public safety and career opportunities outreach program established to serve as a public education program to educate the motoring public, particularly high school drivers, on how to drive near large commercial vehicles.
“This means so much to me,” Salter said addressing the banquet hall. “It means a lot to the great folks at LB3, the company I work for. I am honored that the owners, Brian and Val Lindley, nominated me. But it’s an honor to be placed in the same class with all these great drivers. It’s a highlight of my career for sure.”
ATA senior advisor for safety and compliance Tim Frazier said the competition for the top driver award was the closest he has seen in 30 years of being involved with the SMMC. “After our judges evaluated dozens of driver nominees, we had a tie, so we looked at metrics next, such as years of experience and mileage, etc., to finally separate these two great drivers by a single point,” he said. “It was the most difficult decision our selection committee has ever made. We’re proud to honor each of them for outstanding careers tonight.”
SAFETY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Debbie Henderson, Safety Professional of the Year, sponsored by Cummins, has dedicated 41 years to the trucking industry, earning her recognition as an industry leader. Based in Hope Hull, Ala., with Eagle Motor Freight, Henderson has worked across various sectors, including flatbed, dry van, and food-grade tanker operations. Throughout her career, she has proudly mentored and supported the development of three Drivers of the Year and multiple Alabama Road Team members.
A devoted advocate for the Alabama Trucking Association (ATA), particularly the Wiregrass SMMC, Henderson has held numerous officer positions and currently serves as chairperson. Her commitment extends beyond leadership roles—she actively participates in ATA’s roadside inspection program, TACT ride task force, and other key initiatives. Always ready to lend her expertise, Henderson has become a trusted resource within the industry.
“Debbie is an exceptional professional,” said Tim Frazier of ATA. “I’ve known her for 30 years, and she consistently prioritizes safety for her company and its drivers. The safety culture she has fostered has not only set a high standard but also contributed to some of the lowest insurance losses and incident rates in the industry.”
Henderson’s contributions to trucking safety have been recognized multiple times—this marks her third time receiving the Safety Professional of the Year award. Outside of her impressive career, she and her husband, Eddie, are proud parents to three sons and grandparents to five grandchildren. Her legacy in the industry continues to be one of dedication, innovation, and excellence.
Safety Professional of the Year Runner-Up was Tracy Rushing, Executive Director of Safety and Recruiting at RE Garrison Trucking, where she has dedicated over 15 years to supporting solo and team drivers while championing safety and innovation in the trucking industry. Her remarkable leadership and dedication to advancing opportunities for women in trucking have earned her numerous accolades, including being named the Women in Trucking Association’s 2024 Influential Woman in Trucking. Tracy’s commitment to mentoring future leaders and creating a more inclusive industry has made her a respected trailblazer in this traditionally male-dominated field.
MAINTENANCE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
This year’s Maintenance Professional of the Year award, sponsored by Truckworx, was presented to Joe Thornton, Vice President of Maintenance at P&S Transportation. With more than 17 years of experience in the trucking industry — 12 of them with P&S — Thornton has proven himself an indispensable leader. He manages an impressive fleet of 12,000 pieces of rolling stock and production equipment, bringing a wealth of expertise from his extensive training across a wide range of equipment makes and models. His knowledge and dedication make him an invaluable asset to the company.
Before beginning his career in the trucking industry in 2008, he served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, serving in various maintenance leadership roles, and retired in 2019 as Senior Master Sergeant. Needless to say, managing thousands of personnel and detailed maintenance programs for billions of dollars worth of aircraft and equipment.
One P&S senior manager stated that “over the years, Joe has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication in his role, making him a standout candidate for this prestigious recognition. He has created an effective system to manage the needs of his work that has contributed to our organization’s success”.
FLEET MANAGER OF THE YEAR
The Alabama Trucking Association Safety & Maintenance Management Council has named Robert Foster as its Fleet Manager of the Year, sponsored by Vertical Alliance Group. Foster has been with P&S Logistics for six years, quickly rising through the ranks. He started in recruiting, became a driver manager, and now serves as the lead Flatbed training instructor.
In his current role, Rober trains new drivers, helping them navigate the learning curve and build successful careers. In their nomination, P&S senior management highlighted his dedication: “Robert is a great asset to our team. He consistently helps improve the driver experience and ensures we have the best drivers on the road,” one noted. Another added, “When his fleet performed as one of our top teams, we put him in charge of training as well. He’s dependable and fosters strong relationships with our drivers.”
“I was giddy when I found out I won this award,” Robert said. “I never imagined working in trucking, but P&S gave me a chance with no prior experience. Now, I’ve helped build a flatbed training program for new hires, and it’s been an incredible journey. I’m grateful to P&S and the safety council for this recognition.”
Outside of work, Robert and his wife, Madison, volunteer with The Mayfly Project, which uses fly fishing to mentor foster children. Each child completing the program receives fishing gear, friendships with volunteers, and a rewarding new hobby.
FLEET AWARDS
In addition to these outstanding individuals, Commercial Hauling Co. received the President’s Award, sponsored by Alabama Specialty Clinic, which is the Association’s top honor for the fleet with the lowest accident frequency rate based on miles operated within Alabama. According to ATA officials, Commercial Hauling drivers operated nearly 1 million miles in Alabama without a recordable accident in 2024.
The ATA SMMC also recognized dozens of its member fleets that have displayed earned safety records or improved safety metrics for the previous calendar year. Click HERE to see the full list of winners.
ATA COMP FUND AWARDS
ATA Comp Fund, an exclusive partner of the Alabama Trucking Association for 35 years, offering comprehensive industry workers’ comp insurance, presented awards for its outstanding clients.
- Safety Blitz Award – PS Logistics
- Allied – Southland Transportation Group
- Small Fleet – Woodstock Trucking Co.
- Medium Fleet – Priority Transportation, Inc.
- Large Fleet – Montgomery Transport
- Safety Excellence Award – R.E. Garrison Trucking
