In an industry changing faster than ever before, it can be intimidating to keep looking forward, to wade into the changes and find how your fleet can benefit. What if you bet on the wrong technology? What if your ideas don’t work?
Meet HDT's 2023 Truck Fleet Innovators
Heavy Duty Trucking's 2023 Truck Fleet Innovators are honored for exploring innovation in areas such as zero-emissions transportation, use of data and telematics, customer service, driver retention, safety leadership, and finding new ways to improve efficiency and customer service.

Yes, innovation means taking risks. But those who keep doing what has worked in the past risk being left behind.
For inspiration, we present six forward-looking trucking fleet executives as HDT Truck Fleet Innovators for 2023.
These awards honor their leadership and dedication to exploring innovation in areas such as zero-emissions transportation, use of data and telematics, customer service, driver retention, safety leadership, and finding new ways to improve efficiency and customer service.
HDT’s Truck Fleet Innovators may be honored for a specific innovation or for fostering an overall culture of innovative thinking. They are willing to share their insights and inspiration with others in the industry. An Innovator may be a top executive, or it can be someone in charge of a specific department, area, or initiative.
Each year, we go through industry nominations, as well as our own notes on innovative people we’ve met or read about during the year, and interview likely candidates before narrowing it down to our final honorees.
Read More About the 2023 HDT Truck Fleet Innovators:
- James Adams, CEO and Founder, Revolution Trucking, Wadsworth, Ohio
- Brad Bayne, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Duncan and Son Lines/4 Gen Logistics, Buckeye, Arizona
- Brent Hickman, Senior Manager of Equipment Maintenance and Sales, Pilot Company, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Garth Pitzel, Associate VP, Safety and Driver Development, Bison Transport, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Thurman Register, Senior Fleet Manager, Ferguson Enterprises, Newport News, Virginia
- Andrew Winkler, General Manager, Chief Carriers, Grand Island, Nebraska
HDT’s 2023 Truck Fleet Innovators will accept their awards and participate in a panel discussion during Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange in Scottsdale, Arizona, Sept. 6-8. Fleet managers can apply to attend the event at www.heavydutytruckingexchange.com.
More Fleet Management

HDT Honors the Best New Products of 2025 at TMC [Photos]
Heavy Duty Trucking's Top 20 Products awards recognize the best new products and technologies. Check out the award presentations at the 2026 Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting.
Read More →
Detroit Engines: Trusted Performance, Built for What's Next
The Detroit® Gen 6 engine platform proves that real progress doesn’t require a complete redesign. Built on 20 years of trusted technology, these engines are designed for efficiency, stronger performance, and greater reliability than before. And they do it all while complying with 2027 EPA standards on every mile.
Read More →
Q&A: What's Real in Advanced Truck Tech? ACT Expo's Erik Neandross Weighs In
The 2026 ACT Expo is focusing heavily on what organizer Erik Neandross calls trucking's digital frontier. This interview excerpt dives into artificial intelligence, zero-emission vehicles, and tips to make sense of it all.
Read More →
Trucking's Digital Frontier: AI, Connected Vehicles, Alternative Fuels and More
There's an amazing amount of new technology for trucking out there. For fleets, the challenge is figuring out what’s real, what’s hype, and what’s worth investing in.
Read More →
What's Real in Advanced Truck Technology? ACT Expo's Erik Neandross Weighs In
Artificial intelligence, the software-defined vehicle, telematics, autonomous trucks, electric trucks and alternative fuels, and more in this HDT Talks Trucking interview
Read More →
ACT: Trucking Volumes Rise, Capacity Tightens as Fuel Prices Cloud Outlook
ACT Research data shows volumes hitting a four-year high and supply-demand balance strengthening, but higher oil prices are undercutting tariff relief and tempering optimism.
Read More →
Wabash Teams Physical Security With Digital Tech For Better Cargo Visibility
The patent-pending cargo solution integrates a digitally connected cargo door and an intelligent locking system with the TrailerHawk.AI technology platform.
Read More →
From Diesel Prices to Cyberattacks: How the Iran War Is Affecting Trucking
The impact of the Iran conflict extends beyond fuel costs, bringing more fraud and cybersecurity risks to the trucking industry.
Read More →
ATA’s Spear Warns Fuel Prices, Trade Policy, and Global Conflict Could Stall Trucking Recovery
Speaking at the TMC Annual Meeting in Nashville, ATA President Chris Spear said trucking faces mounting pressure from rising fuel prices, geopolitical instability, and uncertainty around trade policy.
Read More →
New Entrants, Chameleon Carriers, and Safety: Is It Too Easy to Start a Trucking Company?
More than 100,000 new trucking companies enter the industry each year, but regulators manage to audit only a fraction of them. That churn creates opportunities for inexperienced startups — and for “chameleon carriers” that shut down after safety violations and reappear under new identities. Read more from Deborah Lockridge in this commentary.
Read More →
