TCA Professional Drivers of the Year 2026: 5 drivers who paved the road

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) brings together professional truck drivers every year, who are the backbone of the supply chain and the industry, to recognize them for their dedication and discipline in delivering products across the United States safely and on time. Through this tribute, the TCA honors the best drivers with its TCA Professional Drivers of the Year program.

From October to December 2025, the TCA set out to identify exceptional drivers who made a significant impact over the past year on the industry, their fellow drivers, their communities, and the companies they work for. Through nominations, the TCA Professional Drivers of the Year award selected drivers with the greatest impact, outstanding safety records, those considered role models, and individuals with inspiring stories that made a difference.

With a $20,000 prize each, five drivers were recognized by the TCA: Tommy Cash of CAST Specialty Transportation; Nick Barboza of Covenant Logistics Group; Marcia Luchenbill of Knight Transportation; Richard Fertig of Smith Transport; and Jesús Acevedo-Soto of Swift Transportation. These are their stories.

2026 Professional Drivers of the Year

Marcia Luchenbill – Knight Transportation

A driver for Knight Transportation at the El Paso terminal for six years, Luchenbill is a married mother of three teenage children and an example of patience, respect, and calm professionalism.

With nearly 650,000 miles driven throughout her career and more than 193,000 accident-free miles over the past two years, Luchenbill is considered by many to be one of the most reliable and safety-focused drivers in her fleet. Her professionalism led to her being selected as a driver for Knight’s Fleet of Heroes, one of the company’s highest honors. She has mentored 22 female drivers, and as a veteran, Luchenbill continues her commitment to service through veteran-focused initiatives, including three Wreaths Across America Arlington convoys.

Nick Barboza – Covenant Logistics Group

During his 27 years with Covenant Logistics, Barboza has built one of the company’s best safety records, driving more than 3.5 million miles and earning membership in Covenant’s exclusive Club 120, the equivalent of traveling around the world 120 times without a single preventable accident. All this while helping train new generations of drivers.

Barboza has been named Driver of the Month twice and Professional Trainer of the Year, promoting a strong safety culture across the fleet. His impact extends beyond the road: he and his wife of 27 years have fostered more than 30 children and adopted four, serving their community in Midway, Tennessee, where they reside.

Tommy Cash – CAST Specialty Transport

Cash’s driving career began in 1983, and since then he has traveled approximately 3.675 million miles transporting all types of cargo. He is one of only 32 drivers in the entire country entrusted with transporting legacy nuclear waste for the U.S. Department of Energy’s WIPP program. A resident of Carlsbad, New Mexico, Cash has spent 22 years supporting this critical mission, an assignment reserved for drivers with impeccable records and unwavering discipline.

Over his 43 years in the industry, his commitment to safety has been unmatched, a standard he proudly upholds. In addition, he trains, mentors, and road-tests new drivers, applying rigorous standards that have helped shape CAST Specialty’s hiring and training practices.

Richard Fertig – Smith Transport

A professional driver with Smith Transport and 28 years on the road, Richard Fertig does not describe himself as extraordinary, he simply says he “does his job.” That attitude is precisely why he was selected as one of the winners. With more than three million safe miles driven and a reputation that stretches from dispatch offices to loading docks across the country, Fertig is recognized as “a professional who embodies the very best of what it means to be a driver.”

A military veteran with 23 years of service, Fertig has built a career defined by safety, reliability, and quiet leadership, earning recognition among his peers as the driver others turn to when they need guidance.

Jesús Acevedo-Soto – Swift Transportation

Jesús Acevedo-Soto, also known as “Avocado,” is recognized for his exceptional driving skills, vigilance, and respect for others on the road, setting a high standard within the profession. He became the youngest driver in his company to reach one million miles at age 28, an extraordinary milestone that earned him a custom avocado-themed truck. He has also been named Diamond Driver multiple times for maintaining top standards in safety, efficiency, and mileage for 36 consecutive months.

Soto, a resident of Tolleson, Arizona, gives back to society through fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network, regular blood donations, and mentoring young people.

These truck drivers demonstrate that the industry is about more than just driving, it is a lifestyle that requires commitment, dedication, and giving back to society. They are clear examples of the standards to strive for and of how far one can go when they truly love their profession. Congratulations to the winners of the TCA Professional Drivers of the Year Award.