“This is a very lucrative and prestigious job.”

Dave Powell, Driver for Usher Transport, 2022–2023 NTTC Driver of the Year Finalist

Dave Powell is a tank truck driver for Usher Transport with over 13 years of tank truck experience and two million accident-free miles.

As one of eight finalists for the 2023 NTTC Champion award, Dave said it is an unbelievable honor. “The real reward is to be able to advocate and promote for an industry that’s been so good to me,” he said.

Dave spends his days hauling a combination of gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum products across central Indiana. He says he prioritizes his mental health and awareness to help stay prepared and safe on the roads. “A clear state of mental readiness is what really helps a driver utilize their skills in the fraction of a second needed to react on the road.”

Dave didn’t initially set out to be a truck driver, but while working as a volunteer firefighter he learned how to drive firetrucks. Soon after firefighting, he began his first job as a long-haul professional truck driver and says he immediately fell in love with it.

Dave enjoys the fast pace and challenging nature of the tank truck industry, as well as the quality of life it allows him to spend at home. For young drivers looking to make a career in tanking, Dave recommends that they focus on driving safe and staying distraction-free on the road. “This is a very lucrative and prestigious job. It’s given me great compensation, ample home time, and an unmatched quality of life that other sectors of the transportation industry can’t provide.”

Dave believes that advocacy and awareness efforts will help make a difference in attracting the next generation of drivers. “The truck driving industry in the past has had a flawed stereotype. It is now a very respected industry and one that is vital to our nation.”

Outside of trucking, some of Dave’s hobbies include boating and spending time with his family.