Western Dairy Transport Recognized as a 2026 TCA Elite Fleet

Western Dairy Transport has once again been recognized as a TCA Elite Fleet, one of the most respected workplace recognitions in the truckload industry.

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) announced its 2026 Elite Fleets earlier this year, with Western Dairy Transport named among just 57 carriers across the United States and Canada to receive the designation. 

The recognition was celebrated at the TCA Annual Convention held February 28 – March 3, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, where leaders from trucking companies across North America gathered to recognize the fleets raising the bar for the industry.

Representing Western Dairy Transport at the event were CEO David Shelton and Jason Walker from the Human Resources team, who led the company’s application process and coordinated the detailed submission required for the program, including the driver survey portion of the evaluation.

What the Elite Fleet Recognition Means

The TCA Elite Fleet program was developed to highlight the best places to drive in the truckload industry. The certification looks closely at the areas that matter most to professional drivers, including:

• Safety performance

• Driver satisfaction and engagement

• Compensation and benefits

• Equipment quality and technology

• Operational support and communication

• Overall driver experience

The process is rigorous. Companies must submit detailed operational information, and drivers themselves complete independent surveys that help validate the company’s culture and practices.

That driver feedback is a key part of the program and helps ensure the recognition reflects the real experience of the people behind the wheel.

A Recognition That Reflects the Entire WDT Team

Being recognized as a TCA Elite Fleet isn’t about one department or one program. It reflects the daily work happening across the entire Western Dairy Transport network.

From dispatch and safety teams to maintenance, terminal staff, and the drivers who represent WDT on the road every day, this recognition speaks to the culture that has been built across the company.

Jason Walker helped coordinate the information required for the application, gathering data across departments and ensuring the driver surveys were completed as part of the process.

Raising the Standard for the Industry

The TCA Elite Fleet program was created in partnership with the University of Denver’s Transportation & Supply Chain Institute and has quickly become one of the trucking industry’s most meaningful benchmarks for driver-focused companies.

For Western Dairy Transport, being included again in 2026 is a reflection of the company’s continued focus on safety, driver support, and building a place where professional drivers can build lasting careers.

As the trucking industry continues to evolve, recognitions like the Elite Fleet program highlight the carriers who are committed to doing things the right way — investing in their drivers, strengthening their culture, and helping move the industry forward.