Marcia Luchenbill Named 2026 TCA Professional Driver of the Year
Knight Transportation’s El Paso Driver Honored for Leadership, Service, and Advocacy
Knight Transportation is proud to announce that Marcia Luchenbill, professional driver out of our Knight Transportation El Paso Terminal, has been named the 2026 TCA Professional Driver of the Year by the Truckload Carriers Association.
This prestigious national award recognizes drivers who exemplify safety, professionalism, leadership, and community impact. Marcia’s story is one of service, resilience, family, and purpose, and we are honored to share her journey through a special video release celebrating this incredible achievement.
From New York City to the U.S. Army
Before trucking, Marcia was living and working in New York City. She describes that season of life as exciting – but something was missing.
In August 2001, seeking purpose and adventure, she joined the U.S. Army. She was part of the final basic training unit that began before September 11th, forever changing the course of her life and her country’s history.
In April 2003, she deployed to Kuwait and later moved into Iraq, spending much of her time at Baghdad International Airport. It was there she met her husband, a fellow soldier in her platoon.
As she calls it, “a platoon romance.”
Military Life, Marriage & the Reality of PTSD
After marrying in 2005, life accelerated quickly; deployments, pregnancies, moves, and more deployments. Like many military families during the Iraq and Afghanistan war years, the pace was relentless.
Eventually, the invisible wounds of war surfaced. After relocating to Fort Bliss in El Paso, her husband was diagnosed with complex PTSD and major depression. What followed was a difficult but transformative journey toward treatment, healing, and advocacy.
Marcia’s firsthand experience navigating PTSD within her family fuels her passion today for PTSD awareness and support for military families. She understands deeply that when one service member serves, the entire family sacrifices.
Becoming a Professional Truck Driver at Knight Transportation
After 12 years as a stay-at-home mom, Marcia felt called to begin a new chapter. She earned her CDL and chose Knight Transportation because of its culture and flexibility.
“I want to work and make money,” she said, “but I also want to see my family.”
Knight’s commitment to driver home time and support made it possible for her to balance career and family, a critical priority for a military spouse and mother.
She began training in January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world.
While much of the country was shut down, truck drivers kept America moving.
“I guess I was kind of destined to be an American hero,” she says with a smile.
Fleet of Heroes & Representing Military Families
In late 2020, Marcia was selected as one of Knight’s veteran drivers to represent the company in its Fleet of Heroes program. Her truck carried the “Welcome Home” theme, honoring not just service members but the families who support them.
Her lived experience gives her a powerful voice when she says:
“It’s not just the service member that sacrifices – it’s the whole family.”
Honoring Veterans Through Wreaths Across America
Marcia’s commitment to service didn’t end when she left the military. She has continued to represent Knight Transportation and the trucking industry through her participation in Wreaths Across America.
For three years, Marcia has proudly driven in the national convoy to Washington D.C., helping deliver wreaths that are placed on the graves of fallen service members at Arlington National Cemetery and cemeteries across the country.
The event brings together thousands of volunteers and professional drivers each year with a shared mission: to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
For Marcia, a combat veteran herself, the experience carries deep meaning. Participating in Wreaths Across America allows her to continue honoring the sacrifices of those who served and to represent the trucking industry’s vital role in helping make the national tribute possible.
The 2026 TCA Professional Driver of the Year Announcement
During what she believed was a routine meeting, Marcia was surprised when her terminal manager appeared on video and announced she had been selected as the 2026 TCA Professional Drive of the Year.
The award from the Truckload Carriers Association is one of the trucking industry’s highest honors.
“It is nice as a driver to be recognized,” she shared. “It’s long days. It’s hard work. This is a tough job.”
True to her character, she emphasized the award isn’t just about her:
“This isn’t just for me – it’s for all of the drivers out there.”
The TCA Professional Driver of the Year Award recognizes drivers who demonstrate:
- Exceptional safety records
- Leadership in the industry
- Community involvement
- Professionalism on and off the road
Marcia embodies each of these qualities – as a combat veteran, military spouse, mother, safety-focused professional driver, and advocate for PTSD awareness and anti-human trafficking efforts.
Her entire trucking career has been with Knight Transportation, and we are incredibly proud to see her recognized on a national stage.
Congratulations, Marcia.
Let’s keep moving forward and keep on trucking!
