Cougar Oil and the Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama (P&CMA) have awarded four new Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) scholarships to students in Selma and Dallas County, continuing a three-year tradition of investing in local talent and economic growth. With this latest round, the partnership has now provided a total of fourteen scholarships to aspiring truck drivers in the region.
These scholarships provide more than just financial support—they create opportunities for stable, well-paying careers in the transportation industry and help strengthen the workforce in Alabama’s Blackbelt.
“Truck driving provides a great career to hundreds of Alabamians,” said Rex Jones, CEO of Cougar Oil. “It gives young people in the heart of the Blackbelt an exciting path forward—one that supports a strong living and allows them to raise a family.”
Many past recipients of the scholarship have remained in Dallas County after completing their CDL training, helping to rebuild the community from within. The scholarships are made possible in part by the P&CMA Educational Foundation, which continues to play a vital role in this effort.
“We are proud to partner with Cougar Oil and Wallace State Community College to assist in providing these scholarships,” said Bart Fletcher, President of P&CMA. “We congratulate this year’s recipients and wish them great success in their careers.”
This year’s scholarships were awarded in memory of Lane Frazer, a respected Selma-based trucking operator who tragically passed away in 2024. The recognition adds a meaningful layer to an already impactful program.
“Lane was a phenomenal person who loved his family and his community. We miss him greatly and are honored to give this year’s CDL scholarships in his memory,” said Jones.
As Cougar Oil and P&CMA continue their commitment to education and workforce development, their efforts reflect the critical role that petroleum marketers and convenience store operators play—not just in fueling vehicles, but in fueling progress and opportunity.
Cougar Oil is a family-owned fuel and petroleum distribution company based in Selma, Alabama, committed to serving communities across the state and empowering local economic growth. The Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama represents over 150 petroleum marketers and convenience store operators across the state and has been fueling Alabama’s economic engine since 1949. Through its educational foundation, P&CMA is dedicated to education, community development, and advancing opportunities for the next generation of Alabama workers.
