Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

TMAF Recognizes Leaders in Trucking for Black History Month

Trucking Moves America Forward last month recognized eight truck drivers and trucking professionals for their success and dedication to the industry.

March 1, 2021
TMAF Recognizes Leaders in Trucking for Black History Month

Ericka Rountree, a truck driver at M.T.S., was recognized as one of Trucking Moves America Forward's Black History Month leaders. 

Photo: TMAF

3 min to read


Trucking Moves America Forward last month recognized eight black truck drivers and trucking professionals as TMAF’s Black History Month leaders for their success and dedication to the industry.

This year’s Black History Month Leaders are:

Ad Loading...

Ericka Rountree, Professional Truck Driver, M.T.S.

Rountree makes daily round trip deliveries from Ohio to Kentucky and is a second-generation truck driver. Her father drove trucks in the military and later started team driving with his wife. Rountree would get to ride along in the truck with her father on trips from Ohio to other states, including California and Florida.

Herbert Holmes, Professional Truck Driver, M.T.S.

Herbert Holmes of M.T.S.

Photo: TMAF

Holmes first started driving in 1999. During his work week, depending on what needs to be delivered, Holmes usually drives to the Cleveland, Ohio, area as well as Louisville, Kentucky. While on the road, he says he is committed to safety. He always stays alert and drives defensively.

Brandon Bibbs, Regional Vice President of Sales, U.S. Xpress

Bibbs started in the industry at Schneider, then joined U.S. Xpress team almost a year ago. At U.S. Xpress, he is a member of the company’s Diversity and Inclusion Council. He is dedicated to changing the narrative within the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) community by speaking to classes to enlighten students about the career opportunities the trucking industry has to offer, Bibbs told TMAF.

Ad Loading...

Charlton Paul, Professional Truck Driver, UPS Freight

Paul has been a professional truck driver for over 25 years, accumulating more than 2.2 million accident-free miles, and has worked for UPS Freight for the past 23 years. He has been honored at the White House and featured in the UPS Magazine.

Derrick Whittle, Professional Truck Driver, Cargo Transporters

Derrick Whittle of Cargo Transporters.

Photo: TMAF

Whittle has been a professional truck driver for over 41 years, accumulating more than 3.8 million accident-free miles. This July, Derrick will be celebrating 29 years with Cargo Transporters.

Dee Sova, Professional Truck Driver, Prime

Dee Sova of Prime Inc.

Photo: TMAF

Sova has been a professional truck driver nearly 30 years and has accumulated almost 3 million safe miles. Sova operates as an over-the-road truck driver hauling fresh, frozen and dry goods. She teams with her husband along with their 11-pound Chihuahua.

LaQuenta Jacobs, Chief Diversity Officer, XPO Logistics

 Jacobs joined XPO as head of human resources in 2018. As the Chief Diversity Officer, LaQuenta is responsible for helping her organization drive diversity, equity and inclusion. Over her 23-year-career LaQuenta has championed inclusivity in senior HR roles with Delta Air Lines, The Home Depot, Turner Broadcasting System and Georgia-Pacific.

Jeff Greer, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, FedEx Freight

Greer is responsible for all human resource and safety functions at FedEx Freight, which employs 45,000 team members across the U.S., Canada and Mexico .An attorney by trade, Greer first started working for the FedEx organization over 21 years ago and has since transitioned from law to his current role in HR. Prior to joining FedEx, Greer worked for the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency.

More Fleet Management

A monitor with a bar graph with a person sitting next to it wearing a headset.
SponsoredSeptember 1, 2026

How Telematics Improves Visibility, Control, and Performance in Refrigerated Fleets

Explore how telematics help refrigerated fleets improve visibility, uptime, efficiency, compliance, and cargo protection across connected cold chain operations.

Read More →
Graphic with U.S. and Canadian flags over background illustration of an ink-stamp that says Tariffs.
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeAugust 24, 2026

What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking

Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.

Read More →
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseAugust 24, 2026

What Are Trucking’s Top Concerns for 2026?

The American Transportation Research Institute wants to know what's worrying trucking fleet managers, drivers, and other stakeholders in its annual Industry Issues survey.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Four men in suits on the National Mall with giant video screen showing capitol building in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeAugust 24, 2026

American Trucking Associations Looks for a New Leader

ATA President and CEO Chris Spear abruptly left his job at the association on August 21, at a pivotal time for the trucking industry.

Read More →
The Cyber Stop column header with photo of a smiling driver in truck with a laptop and a wi-fi icon
Fleet ManagementAugust 21, 2026

Public Wi-Fi Cybersecurity Risks: How Truck Drivers and Fleets Can Protect Their Data

Public Wi-Fi can expose truck drivers and fleets to credential theft, malware, and other cyber threats. Here’s how to reduce the risk on the road.

Read More →
Woman in white blazer superimposed on background showing a row of Fraley & Schilling truck, plus the HDT Truck Fleet Innovators 2026 logo
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeAugust 19, 2026

For Nicky Cupp, Fleet Innovation Starts With Frustration

HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Nicky Cupp turns everyday pain points at Fraley & Schilling into opportunities for better technology and smarter processes.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Headshot of Adam Buttgenbach with a Pepsi-branded Tesla Semi in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeAugust 18, 2026

Adam Buttgenbach’s Approach to Electric Trucks: Start With Where They Fit

HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Adam Buttgenbach helped PepsiCo build one of North America’s largest EV fleets by focusing on where electric trucks make operational sense.

Read More →
Deen Albert in collared shirt superimposed on background showing a Grand Island Express blue tractor pulling a trailer, plus the HDT Truck Fleet Innovators 2026 logo
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeAugust 17, 2026

Deen Albert: Let Automation Do the Math, People Make the Decisions

HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Deen Albert makes sure people are still at the heart of operations at Grand Island Express, even while adopting artificial intelligence tools. AI-assisted dispatch helped boost revenue 25% with the same number of trucks.

Read More →
Illustration of computer screen with Trimble Arc Agent screen
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeAugust 14, 2026

Trimble’s New AI Agent Takes Aim at Fleet Back-Office Busywork

Arc Agent works across Trimble TMS products to automate repetitive tasks such as freight orders, maintenance, invoices, fuel costs and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photos of three men and two women with HDT Truck Fleet Innovators 2026 logo
Fleet ManagementCover Storyby Deborah LockridgeAugust 13, 2026

How HDT’s 2026 Truck Fleet Innovators Are Rethinking Fleet Operations

Meet five trucking leaders who are challenging assumptions, solving operational problems, and putting innovative ideas to work.

Read More →