Each week, TruckNews.com lists notable moves, promotions and awards in the trucking industry.

This week, Ryder’s Darryl Toll won the CVSA’s 2024 International Driver Excellence award, and KBGCNA together with Bendix Foundation issued grants to help children in Mexico.

Meanwhile, Ashley Horvat has been appointed as the new chief commercial officer at 7Gen and Mullen Automotive promoted John Taylor to president of the company’s commercial EV division. Marathon Brake Systems welcomed Joe Smith as business development manager for Marathon in the U.S. and Canada

Tolle receives CVSA’s 2024 International Driver Excellence award

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced Darryl Tolle of Ryder System as the recipient of the 2024 International Driver Excellence Award (IDEA). With more than 41 years of crash-free driving experience and 3.6 million safe miles, including 2.8 million miles during his 35-year tenure with Ryder, Tolle has set a high standard in the industry. He has also been recognized as Ryder’s Driver of the Year, joining its Hall of Fame.

“Thirty-five years at one company speaks for itself, but Darryl had it in him to go further than that,” said Corey McSweeney, logistics manager at Ryder. “He has a sense of duty not only to his company but also to his country. For the first 22 years at Ryder, Darryl also served in the Kentucky Army National Guard.”

Tolle has a service record with 32 years in the Kentucky Army National Guard, participating in various humanitarian operations and natural disaster responses. His contributions include remodeling schools with Barbadian and Dominican forces, constructing schools and clinics in Ecuador, driving relief trucks after Hurricane Katrina, rescuing people during the 1997 flood in Cynthiana, Ky., and hauling soldiers near fire zones during Kentucky’s 2002 wildfire season.

KBGCNA and Bendix Foundation’s grant helps children in Mexico

A rooftop photovoltaic system funded by Knorr-Bremse Global Care North America (KBGCNA) and the Bendix Foundation is helping Casa Hogar Esperanza – a children’s home in Acuña, Mexico – manage summer temperatures that often exceed 100F. The system is expected to reduce the home’s electricity costs by almost 90% and enable full operation of its air conditioning units, according to the news release.

KBGCNA contributed $107,350 towards the installation of a 136-panel solar system, while the Bendix Foundation added $28,200 and donated the panels, lowering the project’s cost by $24,000. The grants covered the purchase and installation of the system, maintenance for 20 years, insurance, and remote oversight.

“Our support for Casa Hogar Esperanza and its children goes back many years, and we’re pleased to help meet their need for cost-efficient cooling,” said Maria Gutierrez, president of KBGCNA, in a release. “The effort aligns with KBGCNA’s larger mission to contribute to the well-being of underserved populations in the surrounding communities of Knorr-Bremse’s North American companies.”

The solar system has begun operating in stages, and once fully online, it is calculated to save the home about $2,500 per month in electricity costs. The energy generated will allow the air conditioning units to run efficiently, keeping the children and staff comfortable throughout the day and night. The solar panels, installed on the dormitory roofs, also provide additional insulation by blocking sunlight from hitting the metal roof.

“With the new system, we will be able to keep the entire home comfortable throughout the day and night, and probably spend less than $300 or $400 to do so,” said Ron Sherman, executive director of White Stone Ministries, which operates Casa Hogar. He also noted that Bendix funded the purchase and installation of two on-demand hot water heaters, solving the issue of insufficient hot water during colder months.

Horvat joins 7Gen’s executive team

Ashley Horvat has been appointed as the new chief commercial officer at 7Gen. In her new role, she will guide the company’s global commercial strategy, including expansion into the U.S., the company said in the news release.

Horvat brings years of experience to the job, with extensive leadership background in the e-mobility sector.

For more than two years at Schneider Electric, as a vice-president head of e-mobility of North America. Horvat’s other experience includes time at Shell Recharge, where she served as a vice-president of public and private partnerships and, later, as a vice-president of strategic accounts.

She has also worked at PlugShare as a vice-president and served as a chef EV officer for the state of Oregon.

Mullen promotes Taylor to president of commercial EV division

Mullen Automotive, an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, announced the promotion of John Taylor to president of the company’s commercial EV division. He will also continue to serve as senior vice-president of global manufacturing for Mullen Automotive.

In his new role, Taylor will oversee Mullen’s commercial vehicle operations, including engineering, supply chain management, and manufacturing.

Taylor, who joined Mullen in 2021, has been a part of the development and launch of the Mullen One Class 1 EV cargo van and Mullen Three Class 3 low cab forward commercial EV lines, which debuted in 2023.

He brings more than 35 years of automotive experience to his new role. He began his career at General Motors in 1987, where he was involved in 11 major vehicle launches. In 2010, Taylor joined Tesla as one of the first 50 employees, leading the advanced manufacturing engineering group. His other experience includes overseeing several plant start-ups and more than 12 vehicle launches both in the U.S. and internationally.

Marathon expands heavy-duty sales team in North America

Marathon Brake Systems has announced the addition of several key positions to its heavy-duty sales team in North America.

Joe Smith has been appointed as business development manager for Marathon in the U.S. and Canada. With more than 40 years of experience in commercial truck and trailer brakes, including both drum and air disc products, Smith brings extensive industry knowledge to his new role.

He has previously worked with several key friction manufacturers and will be collaborating closely with the sales and marketing teams to expand Marathon’s business in North America.

Meanwhile, Bruce Williams has been named national sales director of national accounts for the U.S., and Joshua Epstein joins Marathon to manage export sales for light automotive products in the U.S. and Canada.