TrueBlue and Centerline Drivers Celebrate Respect the Drive Award Winners for Leadership in Transportation Staffing
TrueBlue, a leading provider of specialized workforce solutions, together with its transportation staffing division, Centerline Drivers, has announced the winners of the company’s annual Respect the Drive Awards. The program, now recognized as an important industry initiative, honors professional drivers and customer partners who demonstrate outstanding leadership, dedication, safety, and service across the transportation sector.
Every year, the awards highlight the people and organizations that help keep freight moving, supply chains functioning, and communities connected. From professional drivers who operate with excellence on the road to employers who create safe and supportive work environments, the Respect the Drive Awards celebrate the vital role transportation professionals play in the economy.
This year’s honorees represent a wide range of achievements, from promoting workplace inclusivity to maintaining exceptional safety standards and building strong driver cultures.
Recognizing the Backbone of the Supply Chain
Transportation remains one of the most critical sectors in the global economy. Professional drivers and logistics teams ensure that food, retail goods, healthcare supplies, industrial materials, and countless everyday necessities reach their destinations on time.
Yet the industry continues to face challenges such as labor shortages, rising operational demands, evolving regulations, and the need to attract new talent into driving careers. Programs like Respect the Drive shine a spotlight on the people and organizations helping the industry move forward.
Taryn Owen, President and CEO of TrueBlue, emphasized the importance of recognizing excellence across the transportation workforce.
“At TrueBlue, we are committed to strengthening the transportation workforce and supporting the professionals who keep supply chains moving. This year’s Respect the Drive honorees reflect the talent, partnership, and leadership that are essential for a thriving transportation industry. We are proud to recognize their impact as we continue investing in the people and solutions that power the future of this critical sector.”
Her comments reflect TrueBlue’s broader mission of supporting businesses through workforce solutions while helping workers build sustainable careers.
Customer Partners Recognized for Industry Leadership
One of the central components of the Respect the Drive Awards is the recognition of customer organizations that go above and beyond in supporting drivers and promoting high workplace standards.
These awards acknowledge companies that understand the importance of treating drivers as valued professionals while creating environments focused on safety, inclusion, and long-term engagement.
Onyx Award for Inclusivity: Standard Logistics
The Onyx Award recognizes organizations that champion inclusivity within the transportation industry. This year’s recipient, Standard Logistics, was honored for creating opportunities, encouraging diversity, and fostering a workplace culture where drivers from different backgrounds can succeed.
Inclusivity has become an increasingly important priority across transportation, especially as the industry works to recruit younger workers, women, veterans, and underrepresented communities into driving careers.
By supporting inclusive hiring and advancement practices, Standard Logistics is helping strengthen the talent pipeline while setting an example for the broader market.
Sapphire Safety Award: Coastal Pacific Food Distribution
The Sapphire Safety Award was presented to Coastal Pacific Food Distribution for its strong commitment to operational safety.
Safety remains the top priority in transportation. Companies that invest in training, fleet maintenance, compliance, and driver wellness help reduce accidents while protecting employees and the public.
Receiving this award highlights Coastal Pacific Food Distribution’s dedication to maintaining best practices and ensuring that safety remains central to its operations.
Diamond Driver Culture Award: Air Fayre
The Diamond Driver Culture Award recognizes organizations that create positive working environments for drivers through support, engagement, and respect. This year’s winner, Air Fayre, earned praise for its commitment to driver satisfaction and workplace culture.
Strong driver culture has become increasingly important in an era where retention is a key challenge. Drivers are more likely to remain with organizations that value communication, recognize achievements, and provide dependable schedules and support systems.
Air Fayre’s recognition demonstrates how driver-focused strategies can contribute to long-term success.
Ruby Respect the Drive Award: TA Dedicated
The highest customer honor, the Ruby Respect the Drive Award, was awarded to TA Dedicated for excellence across all award categories.
This distinction recognizes a company that demonstrates outstanding performance in inclusivity, safety, and driver culture while maintaining strong partnerships and operational excellence.
By receiving the Ruby Award, TA Dedicated has positioned itself as a leader in modern transportation workforce practices.
Supporting the Next Generation of Drivers
In addition to recognizing current leaders, TrueBlue and Centerline Drivers are also investing in the future of the transportation workforce.
Now in its fourth year, the Drive It Forward Scholarship continues to provide opportunities for women entering the trucking profession. The scholarship was created in honor of Sheila Castaneda, whose leadership and advocacy have helped open doors for women in an industry historically dominated by men.
The initiative supports women pursuing their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and helps reduce barriers to entry by providing financial assistance and encouragement.
As trucking companies across North America seek to address driver shortages, expanding opportunities for women has become a strategic priority. Women represent one of the largest untapped talent pools in transportation.
2026 Scholarship Winner: Antaya Wallace
This year’s Drive It Forward Scholarship recipient is Antaya Wallace of Florida.
Wallace has successfully completed her CDL training and is now beginning her professional trucking career. Her achievement reflects both personal determination and the positive impact of programs designed to make transportation careers more accessible.
Speaking about the recognition, Wallace shared her gratitude.
“Receiving the Drive It Forward Scholarship means so much to me and helped me follow my dream of earning my CDL. I’m grateful for the chance to start this journey and for the investment in women in the industry.”
Her story serves as an example of how targeted support can create life-changing opportunities while helping the industry build a stronger future workforce.
Honoring Drivers of the Year
Professional drivers are at the center of everything the transportation industry does. They manage demanding schedules, prioritize safety, adapt to changing road conditions, and ensure that essential goods reach customers every day.
To recognize those who consistently demonstrate excellence, Centerline Drivers named its annual Drivers of the Year.
1st Place: Cedrick Emanuel Hall
Taking top honors this year is Cedrick Emanuel Hall, whose professionalism, commitment to safety, and leadership set him apart among an outstanding group of nominees.
First-place recognition reflects a driver who exemplifies reliability, customer service, and operational excellence.
2nd Place: Jeff Silva
Jeff Silva earned second place for his strong performance and dedication to the profession.
Drivers like Silva play a crucial role in setting standards for consistency and dependability in a fast-moving industry.
3rd Place: Charles Thomas
Third-place honors went to Charles Thomas, recognized for his commitment to safe driving and professional service.
The recognition of Hall, Silva, and Thomas highlights the skill and dedication required to succeed in transportation today.
Leadership Perspective from Centerline Drivers
Jill Quinn, President of Centerline Drivers, said the Respect the Drive Awards remain one of the company’s most meaningful initiatives because they celebrate the people who make transportation possible every day.
“Respect the Drive allows us to honor the drivers and customer partners who make excellence a daily practice. Each of this year’s winners demonstrates an unwavering commitment to safety, collaboration, and outstanding driver experiences. Their dedication is what inspires our team and strengthens our connection to the communities we serve.”
Her statement reinforces Centerline’s commitment not only to staffing solutions but also to recognizing and uplifting the transportation workforce.
Why Recognition Matters in Transportation
Awards programs such as Respect the Drive have growing importance in today’s labor market. Transportation companies are competing for qualified drivers while also seeking to improve retention and employee engagement.
Recognition helps:
- Improve morale among drivers and staff
- Highlight best practices across the industry
- Strengthen employer reputation
- Encourage safety and professionalism
- Attract new talent into transportation careers
- Build stronger partnerships between carriers and staffing providers
By spotlighting successful organizations and individuals, the program contributes to raising standards throughout the sector.
Centerline Drivers’ Role in the Industry
Centerline Drivers is widely known as a transportation staffing leader, connecting businesses with qualified commercial drivers and workforce solutions. Its parent company, TrueBlue, provides staffing services across multiple industries and helps employers solve labor challenges through flexible workforce strategies.
Together, the companies continue to play an important role in helping transportation businesses meet demand while supporting career development for drivers.
As supply chains continue to evolve and transportation demand remains strong, the industry’s long-term success will depend on people—drivers, dispatchers, safety leaders, logistics managers, and workforce partners.
The 2026 Respect the Drive Award winners represent the qualities needed for that future: professionalism, inclusion, safety, collaboration, and leadership.
Through continued recognition programs, scholarships, and workforce investment, TrueBlue and Centerline Drivers are helping build a stronger and more resilient transportation industry.
For this year’s honorees, the awards are more than trophies—they are a reflection of the dedication required to keep commerce moving every day.
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