(Photo: Prime Inc. Facebook Page)
Some folks drive for a paycheck.
Thomas Miller drives for a legacy.
After 25 years of unmatched commitment, discipline, and excellence behind the wheel, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) officially recognized Thomas Miller as the 2024 National Driver of the Year.
Presented during the ATA’s Safety, Security, and Human Resources National Conference and Exhibition in Louisville, Kentucky, this award is more than a personal milestone. It’s a powerful testament to what real leadership on the road looks like.
When you rack up nearly four million accident-free miles, you don’t just win awards — you set a new gold standard for the entire trucking industry.
A Career Built on Quiet Excellence
In trucking, success isn’t always about having the loudest voice or the shiniest rig.
More often, it’s about consistency — about making the right decisions mile after mile, whether anyone notices or not.
That’s exactly the story Thomas Miller tells with his career.
Over the past 25 years, he’s been a steady, reliable force for Prime Inc., a company already known for raising the bar in safety and performance. Even among a fleet of outstanding drivers, Miller’s record stands out.
Consider just a few of his milestones:
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🚛 25 years with Prime Inc.
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🚛 3.5 million accident-free miles with Prime
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🚛 3.8 million career accident-free miles overall
These aren’t just numbers; they’re evidence of a way of life.
In fact, Miller’s 3.8 million miles are equivalent to driving across the United States more than 1,300 times without a single accident.
That’s not luck. That’s relentless focus, patience, and professionalism — day after day, year after year.
Most importantly, Miller’s journey has never been about chasing awards.
It’s about doing the work the right way, whether or not someone is clapping.
A Trophy Case Built One Safe Mile at a Time
The ATA Driver of the Year award isn’t Miller’s first taste of national recognition.
Throughout his career, he’s collected a long list of honors that read like a masterclass in trucking excellence.
Among his standout achievements:
⭐ MOTA Professional Excellence Award (2019) — Recognizing professionalism and commitment in trucking
⭐ Missouri Trucking Association Driver of the Year (2016 & 2023) — Twice honored by his home state
⭐ ATA America’s Road Team Captain — Showcasing leadership and safety on a national stage
Prime Inc. captured the spirit of his career beautifully in a public tribute:
“Thomas, your commitment to safety, professionalism, and excellence on the road inspires us all. Congratulations once again on this incredible honor!”
And honestly? They couldn’t have said it better.
Miller’s story is a reminder that true leadership isn’t flashy — it’s consistent excellence lived out mile after mile.
The Finalists: Setting a High Bar
Miller wasn’t the only standout driver recognized this year.
The competition included some of the best professional drivers in the business, each one a testament to dedication and skill.
The finalists included:
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Jay Williams, TWCV Inc.
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Rollie Fugate, Walmart
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Michael Bortz, Sorenson Transport
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Danny Tankersly, WEL Companies
Each of these drivers brought professionalism and focus to the table, raising the overall bar for what the industry expects from its best.
In the end, however, Thomas Miller’s lifetime of consistency and excellence secured the top spot.
Safety: The Heart of the Mission
Throughout the ATA event, one message echoed loud and clear:
Safety isn’t just a box to check — it’s the beating heart of the entire trucking industry.
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear emphasized the point when he said:
“For trucking, safety isn’t just a box to check — it’s at the heart of what we do.”
Today’s fast-paced, results-driven world puts intense pressure on speed and volume.
Even so, drivers like Thomas Miller prove that true success only happens when safety stays front and center.
Every one of his 3.8 million miles represents a choice — the choice to do things the right way, not the easy way.
That’s why awards like this one matter.
They remind the entire industry that excellence starts with every single mile driven safely.
Building a Culture of Safety Industry-Wide
The ATA didn’t stop at honoring just one individual.
They also recognized companies, leaders, and organizations pushing safety to new heights across every mile and every fleet.
🏆 President’s Trophy Winners (Sponsored by Great West Casualty Company):
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Over 100 Million Miles: Roehl Transport, Marshfield, Wisconsin
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25–100 Million Miles: Bulkmatic, LLC, Griffith, Indiana
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Under 25 Million Miles: Talon Logistics, Harmony, Pennsylvania
🏆 2024 National Safety Director (Sponsored by DMC Insurance):
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Ronnie Holland, TCW, Inc.
🏆 2024 Excellence in Safety Award (Sponsored by Great West Casualty Company):
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Illinois Trucking Association
As SMC Executive Director Jacob Pierce put it:
“We’re proud to celebrate this year’s honorees — each one is helping shape a stronger, safer culture across our industry.”
Clearly, safety isn’t just about one driver or one fleet.
It’s about a movement across the entire industry — one that people like Thomas Miller are helping to lead.
The Mindset That Drives Greatness
What truly separates Thomas Miller from the crowd?
It’s not just technical skill — although that’s certainly part of it.
It’s mindset.
✅ Attention to Detail: Every pre-trip inspection matters. Every lane change counts.
✅ Consistency: It’s easy to drive well for a week. Driving well for 25 years takes something deeper.
✅ Pride: Miller doesn’t clock in and out — he treats trucking as a professional calling.
In short, Miller’s story proves that real greatness isn’t about one big heroic moment.
It’s about the thousands of small, smart choices made along the way.
Lighting the Way for Future Drivers
Thomas Miller’s achievement sends a powerful message, especially to the next generation of drivers.
In an era where everything moves fast and shortcuts are tempting, Miller shows that excellence is built through steady, disciplined work over the long haul.
Young drivers looking for a blueprint for success don’t have to look far — they just have to follow the example Thomas Miller has set.
Beyond Freight: Moving America Forward
Professional drivers like Thomas Miller don’t just move freight from Point A to Point B.
They move families, communities, and economies forward.
From the groceries on the shelves to the life-saving supplies at the hospital, the ripple effect of safe, professional trucking touches every corner of America.
And drivers like Miller ensure that those ripples are waves of reliability and trust.
Final Word: A Road Paved with Excellence
Thomas Miller’s story isn’t about luck.
It’s about making the right choice every day, even when no one’s handing out awards or patting you on the back.
Choosing safety over speed.
Choosing professionalism over shortcuts.
Choosing pride in the job over cutting corners.
That’s what true greatness looks like in trucking — and it’s why Thomas Miller is so much more than the 2024 Driver of the Year.
He’s a living example of the best this industry has to offer.
Congratulations again, Thomas. Your miles have built more than a career —
you’ve built a legacy.
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