NATDA's Industry Excellence Awards
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NATDA Announces 2024 Industry Excellence Awards Winners
NATDA and Trailer Tech Expo are proud to reveal the recipients of the inaugural Industry Excellence Awards, recognizing the individuals and companies making significant contributions to the trailer industry. These prestigious awards honor innovation, leadership, and community impact across multiple categories, celebrating the people and organizations that drive the industry forward.
“The 2024 Industry Excellence Award winners represent the passion, dedication, and innovation that define our industry,” said Andria Gibbon, CEM, Executive Director of NATDA. “Their contributions are shaping the future of the trailer community, and we are honored to recognize their achievements.”
The awards were presented at the Industry Awards Banquet on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, where industry leaders gathered to celebrate excellence and innovation.
Congratulations to NATDA’s 2024 Industry Excellence Awards recipients
Lifetime Achievement Award

WINNER: Ricky Baker
This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the trailer industry over the course of their career, demonstrating a lasting impact through innovation, leadership, and dedication.
Manufacturer of the Year Award
This award honors a manufacturer who has demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, and contributions to the trailer industry.
Finalists:
- Down to Earth Trailers
- Diamond C Trailers - 2024 Recipient
- Watchdog Trailers
Vendor of the Year Award
This award recognizes a Vendor not only for delivering excellent products but also for being a dependable and collaborative partner.
Finalists:
- Bulletproof Hitches
- GEN-Y Hitch - 2024 Recipient
- Valcrum
Dealer of the Year Award
This award honors a dealer who has shown exceptional performance, dedication, and contributions to the trailer industry.
Finalists:
- AW Trailer Service
- Maine Trailer
- White Spruce Trailer Sales - 2024 Recipient
Rising Star Award (Individual)
This award recognizes a young professional who has shown great promise and potential in the trailer industry. (3 years or less in the industry).
Finalists:
- Tyler Bauman, Regional Account Manager, Viper Trailers
- Jon Bloch, Owner, Great Lakes Trailer Sales - 2024 Recipient
- Shane Buckner, VP, GPS Trailers
Rising Star Award (Company)
This award recognizes a new company who has shown great promise and potential in the trailer industry. (3 years or less in the industry).
Finalists:
- Liberty Trailers
- Timpte Equipment Trailers
- Viper Trailers - 2024 Recipient
Customer Service Excellence Award
This award recognizes trailer manufacturers that excel in customer service, providing exceptional support, maintenance, and aftermarket services to their clients.
Finalists:
- Delco Trailers
- Lamar Trailers
- Liberty Trailers - 2024 Recipient
Marketing Excellence – Best use of Technology in Marketing
This award honors a dealership who has demonstrated outstanding marketing strategies that have significantly increased brand awareness, customer engagement, and sales in the trailer industry.
Finalists:
- Action Trailers
- Central Trailer Sales
- Transax - 2024 Recipient
Leadership in Business Technology - Vendor Award
This award honors an company that has demonstrated leadership in adopting or developing new technologies that advance the trailer industry.
Finalists:
- Lightspeed DMS
- Taskmaster Components - 2024 Recipient
- WholeHOG
Women in Trailer Industry Award
This award recognizes an Outstanding Woman who has made significant contributions to the trailer industry, demonstrating leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing the role of women in the industry.
Finalists:
- Kyran Hollje, Marketing Director, Delco Trailers - 2024 Recipient
- Brittani Lewis, Owner, Show Out Event Management
- Donna Schmucker, Marketing Director, GEN-Y Hitch
Educational Excellence Award
This award honors an individual or company that has made significant contributions to growth, education, and training within the trailer industry, enhancing the skills and knowledge.
Finalists:
- Johnathan Aguero, Sr. VP of Revenue, BlackPurl
- Kent Lewis, Chief Evangelist, FreeGren Digital
- Bill Snider, Product Training Manager, Dexter - 2024 Recipient
Trailer Tech Expo powered by NATDA™ offers an immersive experience in all things in trailer innovation and technology. Congratulations to NATDA’s 2024 Industry Excellence Awards recipients!
Learn more about the 2025 Industry Excellence Awards Criteria.