The Dave Fons Memorial Fund is proud to introduce Thomas Chesney, the first recipient of our FTBA CDL Scholarship!
Thomas has been awarded $1,500 toward his Commercial Driver’s License training through the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association CDL Driving Program. This scholarship supports individuals pursuing careers in trucking who share our commitment to safety, responsibility, and protecting everyone on the road.
Pictured from left to right: Scholarship recipient Thomas Chesney and Jeff Krull, owner of Krullified Construction.
Building a Safer Future
For Thomas, earning his CDL represents much more than beginning a new job—it is an opportunity to build a better future for himself and his family.
“Receiving this scholarship would lift a major financial burden off my shoulders, allowing me to fully focus on my studies, personal growth, and building a better future for myself and my family,” Thomas shared in his application.
Thomas’s dedication to truck safety stood out throughout the scholarship selection process. He understands that professional truck drivers carry an enormous responsibility every time they get behind the wheel.
“Every mile driven affects not only my life, but the safety of everybody else on the road,” he wrote. “My goal is to continuously grow and improve my skills while making a positive impact on my community by being safe, responsible, and fully dedicated to my job.”
Thomas plans to make safety the foundation of his trucking career by properly maintaining his vehicle, following traffic laws, remaining alert and disciplined, and always placing the safety of others first.
That commitment closely reflects the mission of the Dave Fons Memorial Fund: to promote truck safety, save lives, and help create safer roads for everyone.
About the FTBA CDL Driving Program
The Florida Transportation Builders’ Association has partnered with the State of Florida to provide customized CDL training and testing at locations throughout the state. The program includes required Entry-Level Driver Training theory, instruction from certified trainers, testing by certified testers, and federal reporting to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Training Provider Registry.
The program is designed to help companies and individuals obtain CDL credentials in a faster, more affordable, and efficient way. Its virtual, self-paced theory course helps reduce completion time, while hands-on training and testing may be conducted using company vehicles. Training is available to both FTBA members and non-members.
Learn more about the FTBA CDL Driving Program.
Apply for a $1,500 CDL Scholarship
The Dave Fons Memorial Fund offers $1,500 scholarships toward CDL training through the FTBA program. Companies and individuals interested in being considered may complete our online scholarship application.
Applicants are asked to share their financial need, career goals, commitment to truck safety, and how the scholarship would support their future in the trucking industry.
[Apply for the Dave Fons Memorial Fund FTBA CDL Scholarship]
Congratulations, Thomas! We are honored to support you as you begin this exciting new chapter. Your dedication to becoming a safe and responsible professional driver is an excellent example of the values this scholarship was created to encourage.
We also extend our appreciation to Jeff Krull and Krullified Construction for supporting Thomas as he works toward achieving his professional goals.
Together, we can prepare the next generation of professional drivers, strengthen the trucking industry, and make our roads safer.
Truck safety is everyone’s responsibility. Drive safe. Save lives.
