INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Jeff McKinney, Vice President of Safety at Jetco Delivery, has earned the 2024 Truckload Carriers Association Safety Professional of the Year award. The formal presentation took place during the TCA's 43rd Annual Safety and Security Meeting, recognizing a career dedicated to commercial motor vehicle safety, regulatory compliance, and driver advocacy across North America.
McKinney brings more than 25 years of hands-on experience to his current leadership role, having started his career working behind the wheel as a company driver and pulling night warehouse shifts. His career trajectory includes tenure with Werner Enterprises starting in 1994, where he transitioned from driving to safety supervision, managing Department of Transportation compliance programs and leading driver safety meetings. He later spent time instructing as a lead trainer at United Driver Services, delivering commercial driver's license instruction and defensive driving courses, before managing safety and operations for General Logistics from 2002 through 2007.
Since taking the safety helm at Jetco Delivery in 2007, McKinney has implemented forward-thinking operational policies, including the early integration of electronic logging devices long before the federal mandate. That proactive technology adoption, paired with rigorous coaching, helped slash the company's accident frequency rate in half. He earned his Certified Director of Safety credentials through the North American Transportation Management Institute in 2007 and has consistently guided Jetco toward numerous fleet safety accolades.
What This Means for Drivers
For professional truck drivers and owner-operators navigating today's crowded corridors, strong safety leadership at the carrier level translates directly to daily protection on the highway. McKinney's operational philosophy centers on giving drivers the right tools, practical training, and continuous support rather than relying solely on punitive measures. Fleet management teams adopting this hands-on approach see fewer intersection collisions, reduced distracted driving incidents, and an overall improvement in commercial vehicle safety on regional routes.
Industry Reaction
Colleagues and executives at Jetco point to McKinney's unique communication style as the backbone of the company's safety culture. Amanda Schuier, Jetco's Strategic Maintenance Director, nominated McKinney by highlighting his accessible "see, say, do" philosophy that bridges the gap between dispatch, the shop floor, and the cab. Jetco Delivery President Kyle Kristynik emphasized that McKinney successfully ingrains accountability across the entire organization while respecting the realities faced by drivers every day, bridging the gap between old-school trucking experience and modern safety analytics.
Key Points
- Jeff McKinney was named the 2024 TCA Safety Professional of the Year at the 43rd Annual Safety and Security Meeting in Indianapolis.
- McKinney's career spans over 25 years, starting as a professional driver and night warehouse manager before moving into compliance and safety leadership.
- His early adoption of electronic logging devices at Jetco Delivery helped cut company accident frequency by 50 percent.
- Jetco leadership credits his "see, say, do" approach and focus on accountability for building a company-wide safety culture.
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