Navistar Supports ATA's Driver Recruitment Initiative For Returning Military Personnel

Navistar International Corp. presented a $10,000 check to ATA in support of its initiative to recruit returning military personnel into the trucking industry, TheTrucker.com reported last week.

"We're proud to support the ATA's driver recruitment effort," said Jim Hebe, Senior Vice President, North American sales operations, Navistar. "Through this initiative the ATA is taking a proactive step to address the challenges that will face the trucking industry in the years to come."

Though driver retention is up due to the current U.S. economic recession, the trucking industry has and will continue to face driver shortages as freight volumes begin to increase.

"Navistar launched its 'Drive for Jobs' program late last year in conjunction with the first customer delivery of the International LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition and in celebration of Truck Driver Appreciation Week," TheTrucker.com said.

"Through the 'Drive for Jobs' program, owner-operator Chris Hawker, the first to purchase the one-of-a-kind truck, began his journey from the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee to his regular work route from Westfield, N.Y., to Jacksonville, Fla." For each mile that Hawker drove during the trip, Navistar made a contribution to ATA's recruitment campaign, said the article.

"We appreciate Navistar's support for ATA's initiative to promote truck driving as a career option," said Bill Graves, ATA president and CEO. "The men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces are ideal candidates to become trucking industry professionals -- they have all the motivation and tools necessary to move successfully from the military into our industry."