INDUSTRY UPDATE SMMC CELEBRATES MEMBERS FOR SAFETY AT ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET

BY FORD BOSWELL

Alabama Trucking’s Safety & Maintenance Management Council showcased its top fleets and professionals at its annual Fleet Safety Awards Banquet.

The Alabama Trucking Association’s Safety & Maintenance Management Council pulled out all the stops for its Annual Fleet Safety Awards banquet at the Robert Trent Jones Ross Bridge Banquet Hall in Hoover. The event celebrated the trucking industry’s top talent, honoring the dedication and excellence of those who set the bar high for professionalism and safety. It was an unforgettable evening, spotlighting the best of Alabama’s trucking industry.

“These awards recognize outstanding commitment to safety and excellence in Alabama’s trucking industry,” said ATA Chairman of the Board Joe Black. “Even if you or your company don’t take home a plaque tonight, you are all winners, and your efforts are greatly appreciated. I also want to commend our Safety and Maintenance Management Council for their incredible contributions, allowing us to work with the best in our industry. For those not yet involved with the SMMC, I encourage you to join and connect with some of the most knowledgeable professionals out there.”

The evening’s top honor, Driver of the Year, sponsored by Southland Trans- portation Group, went to James White of Birmingham-based P&S Transportation. White, 71, has driven nearly 5 million miles without a single accident in over three decades, earning his reputation as a trusted leader for one of the nation’s largest, most successful fleets.

“I’m so blessed to win this award,” White said. “I work hard to be the best I can be in everything I do. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said if you’re going to be a street sweeper, make sure your street is the cleanest street in the neighborhood. I love what I do and I take pride in what I do. That’s why I strive to be the best truck driver out there.”

Trucking is a second career for Mr. White after spending 20 years working in the piney woods and sawmills of East Texas. Once he earned his CDL at 41 years of age, he took to the road, hauling everything from lumber to steel. Thirteen years ago, he joined P&S and quickly established himself among the company’s most reliable and respected employees.

He’s now a member of P&S Transportation’s 2 Million Mile Safe Driver Club and Legends Club. He’s been the carrier’s Independent Contractor of the Month several times and was honored as the firm’s 2022 Independent Contractor of the Year. This also isn’t his first major industry award. Last year, he was selected as one of the Truckload Carrier Association’s Professional Drivers of the Year.

Runner-up for Driver of the Year was

Charlie Salter of LB3, a trusted safety advocate for his company and the SMMC for years. He has more than 35 years of driving and training experience and is a long-time member of the Alabama Trucking Road Team, a public safety and career opportunities outreach program established to serve as a public education program to educate the motoring public, particularly high school drivers, on how to drive near large commercial vehicles.

“This means so much to me,” Salter said addressing the banquet hall. “It means a lot to the great folks at LB3, the company I work for. I am honored that the owners, Brian and Val Lindley, nominated me. But it’s an honor to be placed in the same class with all these great drivers. It’s a highlight of my career for sure.”

ATA senior advisor for safety and compliance Tim Frazier said the competition for the top driver was the closest he has seen in 30 years of being involved with the SMMC. “After our judges evaluated dozens of nominees, we had a tie, so we looked at metrics such as years of experience and mileage next to separate these two great drivers by a single point,” he said. “It was the most difficult decision our selection committee has ever made. We’re proud to honor each of them for outstanding careers tonight.”

Safety Professional

Debbie Henderson, Safety Professional of the Year, sponsored by Cummins, has dedicated 41 years to the trucking industry, earning her recognition as a true industry leader. Based in Hope Hull, Ala., with Eagle Motor Freight, Henderson has worked across various sectors, including flatbed, dry van, and food-grade tanker operations. Throughout her career, she has proudly mentored and supported the development of three Drivers of the Year and multiple Alabama Road Team members.

A devoted advocate for the Alabama Trucking Association, particularly the Wiregrass SMMC, Henderson has held numerous officer positions and currently serves as chairperson. Her commitment extends beyond leadership roles — she actively participates in ATA’s roadside inspection program, TACT Ride Task Force, and other key initiatives. Always ready to lend her expertise, Henderson has become a trusted resource within the industry.

“Debbie is an exceptional professional,” said Tim Frazier of ATA. “I’ve known her for 30 years, and she consistently prioritizes safety for her company and its drivers. The safety culture she has fostered has not only set a high standard but also contributed to some of the lowest insurance losses and incident rates in the industry.”

Henderson’s contributions to trucking safety have been recognized multiple times — this marks her third time receiving the Safety Professional of the Year award. Outside of her impressive career, she and her husband, Eddy, are proud parents to three sons and grandparents to five grandchildren. Her legacy in the industry continues to be one of dedication, innovation, and excellence.

Safety Professional of the Year Runner-Up was Tracy Rushing, Executive Director of Safety and Recruiting at RE Garrison Trucking, where she has dedicated over 15 years to supporting solo and team drivers while championing safety and innovation in the trucking industry. Her remarkable leadership and dedication to advancing opportunities for women in trucking have earned her numerous accolades, including being named the