Veriha Trucking Driver Becomes Finalist for Veteran Trucking Award

Wisconsin Trucking Company, Veriha Trucking, Apprenticeship student Wade Bumgarner was named a top 3 candidate for the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award at the Great American Truck Show, an award that was created to honor veterans who transitioned into trucking.

Making top 3 earned Bumgarner, at a minimum, $10,000 and the possibility of a brand-new Kenworth tractor valued at over $100,000.

Public voting is open October 1st-31st for Bumgarner to earn the top spot for this year’s award.  With Veriha Trucking being the smallest carrier being recognized, Bumgarner will need community support during this voting period.  Links to the voting will be available on Veriha’s Facebook page and website www.driveforveriha.com.

Bumgarner joined Veriha’s Apprenticeship program in August 2018 and his introduction into trucking hasn`t been without growing pains, but it has been successful.

“Wade always finds a way to make it happen and somehow still has time to help others along the way,” remarked Kyle McDonald Veriha`s Apprenticeship Program Leader. “Anyone who has been behind the wheel knows the time and energy it takes to learn the profession and Wade has made that look easy with his ability to smile through adversity and pick up the spirits of those around him.”

Veriha opened their Apprenticeship program in May 2018 in their recently renovated Veriha Training Center in Cleveland. Veriha Trucking’s Apprentice program is fast paced.  After week one of classroom and range work students are paired with trainers and are on the road learning all aspects of driving.

The program is not only certified by the state of Wisconsin but is VA approved for veterans to utilize their GI Bill.

“Supporting Veterans is a significant focus for all of us personally and as a company,” Veriha Trucking CEO, Karen Smerchek, commented. “Several associates throughout the organization are military veterans. These are individuals who can speak to the sacrifices that it takes to serve our country, and the importance of moving freight and keeping America moving.”

One doesn’t have to be a veteran to attend this program.  Veriha also offers students training pay starting on day one to ensure that students can make the transition into trucking.

“We were running into potential students concerned about how they could afford schooling, how they could not receive a paycheck for eight weeks and choosing to not enter into trucking.  It was critical for us to support students who were coming to Veriha and ensure they could make this transition.  As long as they fulfill their 18-month contract this is all at no cost to them,” Smerchek pronounced.

Veriha Trucking was named one of the best Wisconsin Trucking Companies to work for in 2018. Contact a Veriha Career Development Specialist at (877) 310-3134 to discuss a trucking career.

About Veriha Trucking

Veriha offers unique training programs that will have drivers safely and competently operating trucks regardless of prior experience. We bring the world to you, and our drivers mean the world to us. Contact a Veriha Career Development Specialist at (877) 310-3134 to discuss your trucking career!