Our Featured Mentors
James Hazelton
Director of Employer Partnerships | FreeWorld
James Hazelton is a dedicated advocate for second-chance hiring in trucking, working to help formerly incarcerated individuals build successful careers in the transportation industry. As the Director of Employer Partnerships at FreeWorld, James plays a pivotal role in connecting justice-impacted individuals with trucking companies, ensuring they have the support, training, and opportunities needed to thrive.
James’ journey into the trucking world was anything but traditional. He originally pursued a career in audio engineering, but after facing personal challenges and encountering barriers to employment, he found a second chance in trucking. Starting as an equipment operator, he earned his CDL and steadily worked his way up in the industry, gaining experience in operations, recruiting, safety, and business development.
His firsthand experience navigating the trucking industry as both a driver and recruiter fuels his passion for mentorship and workforce development. Today, at FreeWorld, he helps drivers overcome employment obstacles, providing CDL training, job placement assistance, and career coaching. His work is reshaping lives and helping to address the driver shortage through second-chance employment programs.
James is also a firm believer that trucking isn’t just a job—it’s a path to long-term career growth. His insights on driver retention, fleet hiring challenges, and the importance of mentorship make him a key thought leader in the logistics space.