Get To Know: XPO’s Joe Hicks

Joseph Hicks’ yearslong efforts to put Rhode Island’s precision driving talents on the map has helped to elevate his status in New England trucking circles. 

Connecticut’s Tony Spero and Roland Bolduc, as well as Massachusetts’ Richard Sweeney consistently captured headlines at precision driving tournaments. All the while, Hicks continued to toil quietly to perfect his approach to the craft. After his 2010 rookie-of-the-year honors at the National Truck Driving Championships, the XPO standout followed up with best-in-show performances at Ocean State qualifiers. Over the years, he has consistently advanced to NTDC’s prestigious final run-off round.

Last year, Hicks, driving for XPO, took his skills next-level by capturing the national title in the 4-axle class. Consistency was the key to success at NTDC, as Hicks told Transport Topics a few months after his title run: “For me, I like to try to be consistent. So I've always been consistently up there, you know. Like I said, I've come in the top five like six times, I think now. But, I've come in third. So I’ve placed everywhere in the top five, which is, like, kind of nice.” In 2018, Hicks earned top honors at Rhode Island’s qualifier. At the time, he reflected about the national contest: “If you’re prepared and you’re good. And that’s all you need.” 

TTNews caught up with Hicks after his award-winning performance at NTDC in 2024 to get to know him better:

Name: Joseph Hicks

Age: 48

From: Johnston, R.I.

Company: XPO

Class: 4-axle

Favorite food: chicken parmesan 

Favorite vacation: Hawaii

Favorite music: rock (every genre)

Song lyrics learned (accidentally): "Barney Theme Song"

Why do you continue to return to NTDC: “The atmosphere is just such a brotherhood; it's just like a tremendous atmosphere.”

Last word: “Stay safe out there. I’ll see you next year.”