Four Inducted into 2025 NPTC Driver Hall of Fame

ARLINGTON, VA –Four drivers, who collectively have driven for more than 191 years while racking up nearly 15.5 million miles of service without a chargeable accident, injury or moving violation, have been inducted into the NPTC Driver Hall of Fame sponsored by International Motors. The recognition took place in conjunction with the NPTC Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition, which was held May 11-13 in Orlando, FL.

The drivers are from NPTC member companies and have met the minimum qualifications of 20 years, three million miles or 50,000 hours of driving without a preventable accident. Many of the drivers have far exceeded these qualifications and are known for having made significant contributions to their industry and their communities. Since its inception in 1987, 156 drivers have been installed in the Driver Hall of Fame.

This year’s NPTC Driver Hall of Fame inductees are:

JAMES “JD” CHASTEEN
Shaw Industries Group – Dalton, GA

JD began his driving career in 1969 and in those 55 years he has racked up 5.8 million miles without an accident or a moving violation. He began his career driving for Constellation Finishing, where he worked for five years before joining Rogers Finishing as a Shipping Supervisor. He joined Shaw Industries Group, Inc. 29 years ago where he has recorded three million of those safe driving miles hauling flooring. Currently, he works 12 hours a day shuttling trailers around Dalton, GA.

“As a dedicated truck driver, I’ve strived to exceed expectations in all aspects of my job over the years,” he says. “I understand the importance of maintaining my own personal wellness, practicing safe driving habits, and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and courtesy. These elements are essential not only for my own well-being but also for the safety of everyone I encounter on the road daily. Regular exercise, eating well, and getting plenty of sleep are key parts of my daily routine and help me stay alert and fit.”

“My current job position keeps me very active as I complete an average of 14 trailer drop/hooks per night, shuttling loads to different locations. When I fill in as the plant spotter, I can make over 50 spot moves per shift as well.”

SCOTT EDWARDS
Primo Brands Corporation – Poland, ME

Scottie began driving for Poland Springs (now Primo Brands) in 1991 and in those 32 years he has achieved 3.2 million miles hauling bulk spring water in a six-axle tractor-trailer combination (unbaffled food product tanker) with a Gross Combined Vehicle Weight (GCVW) of 99,000 pounds. He has only one non-preventable accident on his record and no moving violations.

He began working with heavy-duty trucks and equipment in the logging industry, where his father ran a family business. Once he was of legal driving age, he moved into driving the family pulp truck, hauling logs and firewood. At 21, he joined Poland Spring, starting as a yard truck driver. There, he gained valuable experience in maneuvering tractor-trailers and shifted over to the transport division, where he remains to this day working 10-12 hours per day, 5-6 days a week, covering 390-460 miles daily.

A volunteer with the Harrison, Maine Fire Department, Scottie says, “I strive to maintain a positive attitude and always offer help to others. With more than years of seniority, I am frequently approached by fellow drivers seeking advice, and I make it a point to answer every question with care and provide the best guidance I can. I believe that senior drivers should encourage questions, as it helps prevent unsafe practices and fosters a safer work environment. I take pride in representing both my company and the trucking profession in the best possible way. One of my personal points of pride is keeping my truck immaculate—often polishing my wheels daily during three seasons of the year.”

KENNETH WHITE
AutoZone, Inc. – Zanesville, OH

Kenny began his career behind the wheel 61 years ago and has driven for 3.5 million miles without an accident, injury or moving violation. He joined AutoZone 27 years ago, where he has accumulated more than two million of those safe driving miles. Typically he delivers to AutoZone stores often with challenging parking lot conditions including parked cars, landscaping items, and other fixed hazards.

Kenny is a past Trustee and current member of The Christian Missionary Alliance Church of Zanesville, Ohio where he had maintained their landscaping for 25 years. He is also the president of the local Donut Shop retirees daily gathering.

“I am very big on having a plan and working it. When possible, I do a complete inspection the night before I leave and complete another inspection in the morning. I plan my routes and directions the day before and do my best to get a good night’s sleep. I stay very active taking care of my property. I strive to be safe every day because I want to come to my family and do not ever want to hurt anyone. I thank God for watching over me each and every day and keeping him safe.”

TODD YOUNG
Marathon Petroleum Company, LP – Columbus, OH

In 44 years of driving, Todd has driven 3,050,000 miles without an accident, injury or moving violation. He started his driving career in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in 1981 driving straight trucks and tractor trailer combination units. Todd was also employed as a school bus driver for the city of Hilliard and Dublin Ohio for a year before joining Marathon Petroleum in 1986 as a Transport Driver.

Todd is a certified Smith Driving System trainer. He volunteers for the American Red Cross delivering blood and products through out the state of Ohio. Todd often volunteers his time during natural disasters. For example, after 2024 Hurricane Helen, Todd and his wife loaded up their personal pickup truck with more than $1,000 worth of propane heaters and headed south and donated supplies and helped with relief efforts.

“As a professional driver, it is essential to arrive to work each shift well rested and prepared mentally and physically for the task at hand,” Todd says. “I don’t want to embarrass myself or our team, that truck is a huge billboard going down the road and it says Marathon Petroleum right on the door, so I make sure that I’m practicing defensive safe space and visibility driving behaviors at all times while operating the transport. My message to other drivers and my family has always been do the job right the first time. I live by that principle.”

Bob Mann, VP, Government Sales & Diamond Logic Builder, International Motors (far right), congratulates 2025 Driver Hall of Fame Inductees (from left to right) Scott Edwards, Primo Brands Corporation; Kenny White, AutoZone, Inc.; and James Chasteen, Shaw Industries Group.

About NPTC

Founded in 1939, the National Private Truck Council is the only national trade association exclusively representing the interests of the private truck industry and corporate/business private truck fleet management. With an actively engaged leadership team of Board representatives, member volunteers and staff, NPTC in the past decade has grown significantly to serve a rising professional class of private fleet practitioners meeting the challenges of modern corporate transportation. NPTC is the leading learning resource center, government affairs advocate, and business networking culture for America’s top private fleet and supplier member companies. The Council produces benchmarking, best practices, and economic data reports on the private fleet market; administers the highly regarded Certified Transportation Professional (CTP) training program, and conducts some of the most successful events in the trucking industry including the Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition, the Private Fleet Management Institute, and the National Safety Conference. For more information about the Council’s activities and programs, visit our website at www.nptc.org.

About International

Based in Lisle, Illinois, International Motors, LLC* creates solutions that deliver greater uptime and productivity to our customers throughout the full operation of our commercial vehicles. We build International® trucks and engines and IC Bus® school and commercial buses that are as tough and as smart as the people who drive them. We also develop Fleetrite® aftermarket parts. In everything we do, our vision is to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility to create the cleaner, safer world we all deserve. As of 2021, we joined Scania, MAN and Volkswagen Truck & Bus in TRATON GROUP, a global champion of the truck and transport services industry. To learn more, visit www.International.com.

*International Motors, LLC is d/b/a International Motors USA LLC in Illinois and Ohio.