SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Lytx Inc. is celebrating the winners of its annual Driver and Coach of the Year awards.
“This year’s nominees and winners not only keep our roads safer, but they also set a powerful example of teamwork and commitment,” said Chris Cabrera, CEO, Lytx. “As the company who first established this type of awards program in our space, we are proud to celebrate all of the safety professionals whose dedication and leadership inspire other members of the fleet community to strive for excellence day in and day out.”
2026 Driver and Coach of the Year in the Trucking and Freight Sector
Gayland Larsen, of Barney Trucking Inc. was named as the 2026 Driver of the Year and Teresa Patterson, of J.B. Hunt Transport Inc., was named Coach of the Year.
“This nomination tells me that the work I’ve been putting in is making a difference not just for our account, but for the overall safety culture,” Patterson said. “It motivates me to continue guiding my drivers with patience, understanding, and accountability. I take coaching seriously because I understand the weight of this job, every conversation, every reminder and every bit of feedback I give has the potential to protect someone’s life.”
A full list of the 2026 Driver & Coach of the Year winners from all sectors can be viewed here.
Driver & Coach of the Year Awards
According to a company press release, the annual Driver & Coach of the Year Awards recognition highlights the safest drivers and most impactful coaches who set the standard for performance and leadership within the transportation industry.
“Celebrating its 17th year, this program stands as fleet management’s longest-running awards initiative, highlighting Lytx’s ongoing dedication to safety and leadership,” Lytx said. “The award recipients illustrate the powerful dynamic between drivers and coaches, emphasizing the lasting impact of positive recognition and meaningful coaching conversations. These individuals prove that excellence in safety is a collaborative effort that benefits other drivers and local communities.”
Record Number of Nominations
The 2026 program saw a record-setting number of nominations, with a 95% increase from last year. Nominees for outstanding performance were submitted by both colleagues and supervisors within the Services/Utilities, Transit/EMS, Trucking/Freight, Distribution/Retail and Waste/Construction/Concrete sectors.
Winners in all industry groups receive monetary prizes and recognition certificates. First-place winners also receive a trip for two to attend the Lytx Protect Conference in San Diego, Calif. from May 2-5.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
