SAFE TRUCK DRIVER RECOGNITION
James Hall Named Our First-Ever Florida Driver of the Year
Recognizing an extraordinary commitment to safety, professionalism, and service to others
Pictured from left to right: Garrett Fons, Ajax Paving Industries of Florida; Michelle Fons; James Hall, Trans-Phos and our 2025 Florida Safe Truck Driver of the Year; Stephen Disney, T. Disney Trucking; and Matt Payne, Ajax Paving Industries of Michigan.
Garrett serves as President of the Dave Fons Memorial Fund, and Michelle, Stephen, and Matt serve as Board Members.
The Dave Fons Memorial Fund is proud to recognize James Hall of Trans-Phos as our Florida Safe Truck Driver of the Year for 2025!
With 30 years of professional driving experience, James has built a remarkable career rooted in safety, compassion, and responsibility. His dedication extends beyond the miles he travels. Whether mentoring a fellow driver, helping someone in an emergency, or giving back to his community, James consistently puts the well-being of others first.
James was nominated by Mark Cannon, Safety Director for Trans-Phos, who described him as a complete professional driver and an outstanding citizen. His nomination reflects both James’s exceptional driving record and the lasting difference he makes in the lives of others.
An Extraordinary Record of Safe Driving
According to his nomination, James has traveled 3 million miles throughout his driving career, including more than 1.5 million safe miles with Trans-Phos, with zero accidents or incidents over 30 years.
That achievement is especially meaningful given the demands of his work. James’s local routes require him to navigate tight docks, challenging industrial sites, and gypsum stacks while operating trailers of different sizes. Each assignment requires careful judgment, precision, and constant attention to his surroundings.
Through it all, James brings the same commitment to doing the job safely and professionally. His record represents decades of daily decisions that help protect his coworkers, fellow motorists, and the communities he serves.
Compassion and Courage on the Highway
James’s commitment to protecting others has been especially evident during emergencies.
On April 29, 2022, while traveling on Buckeye Road in the early morning hours, James came upon a devastating crash. A woman’s vehicle had struck a wild hog, overturned multiple times, and ejected her onto the roadway.
According to Mark’s nomination, James immediately positioned his truck to protect her from approaching traffic, placed roadside warning triangles, and directed motorists away from the scene. He called 911 and stayed with her, offering comfort until paramedics arrived.
Although she later passed away, Mark shared that James’s actions helped protect her from further harm and gave her precious time to reach the hospital, where her family could say their goodbyes.
On September 6, 2022, James witnessed another crash and again responded with care and composure. He called 911, secured the scene, and checked on the drivers while help was on the way.
These moments speak to more than professional responsibility. They show James’s willingness to stop, help, and care for people during some of their most vulnerable moments.
Leading and Mentoring Others
As a trainer at Trans-Phos, James helps fellow drivers develop safe habits and recognize potential hazards before they become emergencies.
Mark credits James’s awareness and timely communication with helping prevent several truck rollovers. By sharing information about road dangers and supporting other drivers in real time, James strengthens the safety of the entire team.
His contributions have earned the trust and respect of Trans-Phos’s safety department. As Mark expressed in his nomination, “we consider him one of us.”
James leads through his actions, showing how experience, patience, and a willingness to speak up can help everyone get home safely.
A Commitment to Helping Others
James’s care for human life extends beyond the roadway. As a seven-gallon blood donor, he has made an extraordinary contribution to patients and families in need.
He also gives his time to his family and community, including coaching his grandchildren’s Little League baseball games. The compassion and steadiness he brings to those roles reflect the same qualities that make him an exceptional professional driver.
James reminds us that a commitment to safety begins with caring about people.
About Our Safe Truck Driver of the Month Program
The Dave Fons Memorial Fund’s Safe Truck Driver of the Month program recognizes professional truck drivers who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to safety.
Each month, we select two exceptional truck drivers—one from Michigan and one from Florida—to receive a $250 award. We also recognize the drivers and their employers on our website and social media pages.
Moving forward, our annual Driver of the Year honorees will be selected from the drivers recognized through our Safe Truck Driver of the Month program. Each monthly honoree will be eligible for this special year-end recognition, allowing us to celebrate drivers whose dedication, professionalism, and leadership exemplify the highest standards of truck safety.
NOMINATE A SAFE TRUCK DRIVER
Know a professional truck driver who consistently goes above and beyond in the name of safety? Scan the QR code on our program flyer or click the link below to submit a nomination.
Questions? Email hello@trucksafetyfordavefons.org
Congratulations, James!
We are honored to recognize James Hall as our Florida Safe Truck Driver of the Year for 2025 and congratulate him on this well-deserved achievement!
Thank you, James, for your extraordinary dedication to safe driving, your leadership at Trans-Phos, and the compassion you show to others. Your example reminds us how much one person can do to protect lives—every mile of the way.
TRUCK SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY.
DRIVE SAFE. SAVE LIVES.
