Champions of Impact Virtual Ceremony Recognizes Community Engagement and Sustainability Leadership
North Olmsted, OH, April 24, 2026 — The Transportation Marketing and Sales Association (TMSA) announced the five winners of its 2026 Purpose Awards during the Champions of Impact virtual ceremony on April 23. The awards recognize transportation and logistics companies that develop and execute meaningful sustainability and community engagement programs.
Fleet Advantage, Jarrett, Trailer Bridge, Hermann Services, and SMC³ were honored for initiatives ranging from million-dollar philanthropic foundations and disaster relief efforts to industry-first sustainability tools and charity golf tournaments that have raised more than $721,000 for families in need.
"The quality and range of submissions this year was truly remarkable," said Jennifer Karpus-Romain, TMSA Executive Director. "These five companies demonstrate what's possible when business is guided by purpose. From truck-fueled toy drives and benefit concerts to collaborative sustainability forums, their work is creating real change and inspiring the entire transportation and logistics community to lead with heart and intention."
FLEET ADVANTAGE: KIDS AROUND THE CORNER FOUNDATION
Fleet Advantage earned recognition for the Kids Around The Corner (KATC) Foundation, which surpassed $1 million in cumulative lifetime giving in 2025. The foundation contributed $307,280 to 45 nonprofit organizations throughout 2025, adding 16 new partnerships focused on children and families in communities where employees and clients live and work.
KATC's impact included distributing 1,000 backpacks to Broward County students, providing brand-new sneakers to children through "Kicks for Kids" events, expanding financial literacy programming into South Palm Beach County with Junior Achievement, and mobilizing nine in-person volunteer events designed for employees and their families. Following Hurricane Melissa, KATC funded a full disaster relief container delivering 20 pallets of essential supplies to families in Jamaica.
Fleet Advantage's community leadership earned recognition as number 24 on the South Florida Business Journal's Corporate Philanthropy List and the 2025 Humanitarian Logistics Award from the American Logistics Aid Network.
JARRETT: HEARTS FOR HEARTLAND BENEFIT CONCERT
Jarrett, a family-owned company rooted in Orrville, Ohio for more than 25 years, was recognized for the Hearts for Heartland Benefit Concert held in August 2025. The event raised $100,000 in a single evening for the Heartland Education Community, an organization dedicated to building stronger educational opportunities and community-centered learning environments for local students.
Held at Jarrett headquarters and tied to the company's third annual Supply Chain Summit, the event featured Grammy-nominated country artist Hunter Hayes, along with live and silent auctions. Jarrett partnered with OHuddle, a local school mentorship program, welcoming students from the Orrville school district to participate in the event and connect with business and community leaders.
The record-breaking attendance demonstrated the company's deep commitment to the community it calls home, turning a professional industry gathering into a genuine community movement.
TRAILER BRIDGE: RALLY INITIATIVE
Trailer Bridge was honored for Rally, a purpose-driven brand platform that brings the transportation and logistics industry together through charity golf tournaments supporting causes that improve the lives of children. The initiative includes Rally for Puerto Rico, benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Puerto Rico, and Rally for Kate, supporting pediatric cancer research through the Kate Amato Foundation.
Over the past 18 months, Rally generated $210,000 in charitable funding. Since launching, the program has raised more than $721,000, helping support 28 homes for families in Puerto Rico and funding five pediatric cancer research grants.
Trailer Bridge covers 100 percent of event costs for both tournaments, ensuring every dollar raised by participants goes directly to nonprofit partners. Each tournament is intentionally limited to 88 players, creating an exclusive, relationship-driven experience. More than 90 companies have participated in Rally for Puerto Rico, demonstrating how industry peers can unite around meaningful causes.
HERMANN SERVICES: HERMANN CARES
Hermann Services earned recognition for Hermann Cares, the foundation guiding the company's community involvement across multiple states including New Jersey, Delaware, Texas, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Tennessee. The company has served as a Gold Star Corporate Sponsor of Toys for Tots since 2004, maintaining more than 20 years of consistent commitment to the program.
Hermann Services expanded its Toys for Tots partnership through a series of "Stuff-a-Truck" events, using company fleet assets to reach more communities and collect more donations. The company also supports Wreaths Across America, delivering wreaths to cemeteries across New Jersey for placement on veterans' tombstones on National Wreaths Across America Day.
Additional Hermann Cares initiatives include support for Truckers Against Trafficking, Project Protect Our Children, the South Brunswick Police Department Youth Academy, and partnership with Rutgers Business School's Road to Supply Chain Leadership program to develop the next generation of supply chain professionals.
SMC3: LTL SUSTAINABILITY BEST PRACTICES GROUP AND CIS LTL EMISSIONS CALCULATOR
SMC3 was recognized for advancing environmental stewardship across the less-than-truckload industry through the LTL Sustainability Best Practices Group and the CIS LTL Emissions Calculator. The Best Practices Group is the first forum of its kind, bringing together sustainability leaders from competing national and regional LTL carriers for peer-to-peer collaboration on reducing emissions and navigating complex sustainability requirements.
The CIS LTL Emissions Calculator produces shipment-specific emissions results rather than industry averages, providing the accuracy required for Scope 3 reporting and emerging regulatory requirements. Unlike traditional average-based approaches, the calculator reflects how freight actually moves through multiple terminals and trailers in the uniquely complex LTL operating model.
SMC3 elevated the shipper-carrier sustainability dialogue by partnering with Mastio to incorporate sustainability questions into its annual LTL Customer Value and Loyalty Report, the industry's largest shipper survey. The company also provides sustainability coverage through its Supply Chain Intelligence Brief and facilitates shared learning at industry conferences.
The 2026 Purpose Awards were judged by a panel of vetted industry leaders who scored entries based on comprehensive criteria aligned with the award submission requirements. Winners were selected from submissions focused on community engagement and sustainability initiatives conducted between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2026.
ABOUT TMSA
The Transportation Marketing and Sales Association (TMSA) is the only organization exclusively focused on the business development needs of the transportation and logistics industry. TMSA provides professional development, industry research, networking opportunities, and recognition programs that help sales and marketing professionals advance their careers and drive business growth.
TMSA will announce additional 2026 award winners, including Trailblazer and Rising Star honorees, at its annual conference later this year. For more information about TMSA and its recognition programs, visit www.tmsatoday.org.
