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HDT Emerging Leader Nominations Close Soon

Who are the future change-makers among trucking fleets? The deadline to submit a nomination for Heavy Duty Trucking's 2024 Emerging Leaders awards is August 1.

July 23, 2024
HDT Emerging Leader Nominations Close Soon

HDT Emerging Leaders nominations for 2024 close August 1.

Image: HDT Graphic

2 min to read


Who are the future change-makers among trucking fleets? Heavy Duty Trucking is seeking nominations for its 2024 Emerging Leaders awards. The deadline to submit a nomination is August 1.

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If you, or someone you know, is under 40 years old and is making a significant impact in the trucking industry, submit a nomination for the HDT Emerging Leaders award.

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The winners will be featured online and in the September/October print issue of HDT.

What Qualities Does HDT Look For in an Emerging Leader?

Heavy Duty Trucking’s editors launched the HDT Emerging Leaders program in 2016 to identify some of the up-and-coming leaders in the trucking industry and share their insights with our readers.

The HDT Emerging Leader award honors young leaders who are making a difference in both the trucking industry and within their work for a for-hire, private, government, or vocational fleet. These leaders are influential in the trucking industry, innovative, and successful. They can point to outstanding accomplishments and demonstrate excellent leadership qualities.

The award is open to those employed in any aspect of a fleet’s business and leadership at all levels, whether management, maintenance, sales, marketing, safety, information technology, driver recruiting/retention, sustainability, or other areas of the company.

Whether it’s an upper level management position or a shop team foreman or the IT person who led the transition of your company’s data analysis, we’re looking for young people who are influential in the industry while also being innovative and successful.

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Nominate an HDT Emerging Leader Today

In addition to being featured in the September/October issue of HDT and online, HDT Emerging Leaders will receive certificates suitable for framing.

We are seeking individuals who:

  •  Are under 40 years of age

  • Exhibit influential, innovative, and successful leadership

  • Have outstanding accomplishments and demonstrated leadership capabilities

  • Work for a for-hire, private, or government fleet operating heavy-duty trucks

A Look Back at HDT's 2023 Emerging Leaders

The 2023 HDT Emerging Leaders came from a variety of fleet types — private and for-hire; large and small; dry van, vocational, tanker.

In their roles, these young leaders are focused on improving safety, cutting costs, improving efficiency, and retaining drivers.

  • Matt Brennan, transportation manager, Kurtz Bros.

  • Joe Briner, director of procurement and fleet operations, G&D Trucking and Hoffman Transportation

  • Casey Driggers, executive vice president of safety, Custom Commodities Transport

  • Joshua Moore, transportation/fleet safety manager, Vulcan Materials Company

  • Caty Simandl, operations supervisor, Werner Enterprises - Dedicated

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