LOUISVILLE, KY — Jeremy Stickling, the Chief Administrative Officer at Nussbaum Transportation, earned the prestigious 2025 TCA Safety Professional of the Year award during the Truckload Carriers Association Safety & Security Meeting. This honor recognizes his two-decade tenure in the industry, where he shifted the focus from reactive policies to a proactive, human-centric approach to highway safety.

Stickling’s work at Nussbaum Transportation has redefined how mid-sized and large carriers manage risk. By integrating advanced technology with consistent, real-world driver training, he helped secure the 2024 TCA Grand Prize for Fleet Safety for his company. His methodology centers on the belief that high-level safety performance stems from a culture of accountability rather than just rigid compliance with FMCSA regulations.

The award highlights a career defined by innovation and a hands-on commitment to the daily realities of the road. Stickling has spent nearly 20 years implementing programs that prioritize the well-being of the driver. His leadership helped maintain the integrity of Nussbaum’s 80-year history as an employee-owned business while modernizing its fleet operations to meet the demands of a changing industry.

What This Means for Drivers

For the average CDL-A driver, the influence of leaders like Stickling translates to better equipment, more relevant training, and a reduced likelihood of preventable accidents. Professional drivers often view safety programs with skepticism, but the initiatives Stickling championed focus on supporting the operator rather than strictly policing them. When carriers prioritize these types of programs, the daily workload for an OTR truck driver becomes more predictable and significantly safer on high-traffic corridors.

Industry Reaction

Brent Nussbaum, CEO of Nussbaum Transportation, credits Stickling with the ability to identify complex operational bottlenecks and engineer practical solutions. The industry has shifted toward data-driven safety management, yet Stickling remains focused on the human element that keeps a fleet running. His peers in the TCA recognize this balance as a benchmark for carriers aiming to lower insurance premiums and retain top-tier talent in a competitive market where many trucking companies are hiring.

Key Points

• Jeremy Stickling serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for Nussbaum Transportation.
• The award was presented at the 2025 TCA Safety & Security Meeting in Louisville.
• Stickling’s safety initiatives helped Nussbaum Transportation secure the 2024 TCA Grand Prize for Fleet Safety.
• The recognition honors nearly two decades of work in driver safety, technology integration, and corporate culture development.

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