Driver of the Month

Driver of the Month


The NTA awards professional truck drivers who display the highest degree of safety, professionalism, and courtesy while on the road. An independent safety professional panel selects the worthy driver and awards the honor in partnership with the Nebraska State Patrol. The Driver of the Year is chosen from the 12 Drivers of the Month (Sep-Aug) at the NTA’s Fall Conference.

Please complete and submit the form to: [email protected].

2022 January
Gene Houchin, Midwest Express

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2021 September

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2021 August
Eric Bauman, Grand Island Express

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2021 July
Michael Osler, Williams Transportation

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2021 June
Robert Brown, GO Express

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2021 May
Gene Ceder, Crete Carrier

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2021 April
Elmer “Joe” Lewis, Walmart

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2021 March
Kent Wood, FCC

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2021 February
Donald Davis, Crete Carrier

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2021 January
Terry Schrader, Chief Carriers

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2020 December
Marvin Fielder, Werner Enterprises

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2020 November
Kevin Meader, FCC

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2020 October
Bryan Shirley, Werner Enterprises

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2020 September
Raymond “Joe” Brooks, Hill Bros

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2020 August
Guy Courtney, Crete Carrier Corp

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2020 July
Noah Orman, Grand Island Express

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2020 June
Jason Colvin, Fremont Contract Carriers

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2020 May
Troy Evans, Grand Island Express

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2020 April
William Watkins, Crete Carrier

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2020 March (’20 Driver of the Year)
Steve Higel, Norder Supply

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2020 February
Bill Davis, TSL

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2020 January
Bruce Sinner, Chief Carriers

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2019 December
Kevin Zelaskey, ABF Freight

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2019 November
Randy Moeller, Midwest Express Inc

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2019 October
Jeff Tomlinson, Fremont Contract Carriers

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2019 September
Harry Campbell, Crete Carrier

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2019 August
John Putney, Greater Omaha Express

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2019 July
Gary Heindel, Zeitner & Sons Inc

2019 June
Buddy Allen, Zeitner & Sons Inc

2019 May
Roger Allington, Distribution Inc

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2019 April
Kent Dornfeld, Grand Island Express

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2019 March
Jeff Long, Hunt Transportation

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2019 February Driver of the Month
Chris Sawyer, Transportation Specialists LTD

Driving 2 million miles in 24 years, Chris Sawyer looks out for his company, Transportation Specialists LTD. He helps his fellow drivers and he safety delivers freight caring for public safety. “Chris joined us in 2005 and hasn’t looked back since,” said nominator Larry Miles of TSL. “He’s very easy to work with and, when another driver needs assistance on the road or at a port, he’s right there.” Sawyer is a 10-year member of the President’s Safe Driver Club. Off the job he enjoys building computers and working with other electronic equipment. Chris earned the honor in February.

 

2019 January Driver of the Month
Pat Crumb, Fremont Contract Carriers

“Pat Crumb is a driver that Fremont Contract Carriers has come to rely on for his hard work, excellent customer service and professional attitude,” said nominator Ann Dostal. “His reliability and commitment to safety make him worthy of this award” Crumb, during his 37 years of professional driving, covered more than 2 million miles. He’s achieved 25 years without a preventable accident. He’s an inaugural member of FCC’s Driver Advisory Board. Crumb enjoys time with his family, photography, tinkering with cars and the Huskers, Cubs and Bears. He earned the honor in January.

 

 

2018 December Driver of the Month
Phillip Sailors, Williams Transportation Inc.

Hats off to Philip Sailors who was named the NTA Driver of the Month for December. “Phil deserves this award for his constant commitment to safety and his willingness to help teach newer drivers,” said nominator Michelle Leist of Williams Transportation Inc. Driving for 38 years, Sailors has logged more than 4 million miles over the road. He’s been honored with a Million Mile Safe Driver Award from Crete Carrier. He also received ATA Safe Driving and Great West Casualty Safety Awards. At Williams Transportation, Sailors serves on their accident review committee looking to enhance prevention processes. Co-workers count on Sailors to put his cooking skills to work around the terminal for periodic meals. Sailors enjoys spending time with his wife, Sonja, and their new dog.

 

2018 November Driver of the Month
Robert Duff, Lyman Richey Sand & Gravel

Devoting 45 years to trucking takes a commitment to the industry and a level of detail that few have achieved. Robert Duff moved freight for more than five million miles across the Cornhusker state’s roads. He hasn’t experienced a preventable accident for 37 years. Duff, nominated by his company, Lyman Richey Sand & Gravel, takes prides in work, dealing with customers and has pride in operating safely so he can enjoy his family and life, according to his nomination. He earned the honor for November.

2018 October Driver of the Month
Timothy Dean, Werner Enterprises

“Timothy Dean’s safety record speaks volumes toward being one of the best drivers on the road,” said nominator Glenn Novotny of Werner Enterprises. “His knowledge of truck safety makes him an elite and valued professional in the trucking industry.” Dean has worked 29 years as a commercial driver logging 3.98 million miles. Novotny noted Dean’s expertise in educating fellow drivers and the public about the importance of safety in the trucking industry. At Werner, Dean collected awards for one-, two- and three-million accident miles; TA/Petro Citizenship Finalist; President’s SAFE Driver Club for 11 years; Jeff Wessel Award and the Professional Excellence Award for six years. Dean competed in the Nebraska Truck Driving Championships for eight years and was named grand champion twice. Off the job, Dean volunteers for the FFA, 4H and Cass County Fair. He raises horses and enjoys time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He earned the honor for October.

2018 September Driver of the Month
Michael Edson, Transportation Specialists Ltd.

Michael Edson has moved freight for 18 years along our roads. He’s traveled more than 1.7 million miles and shows no preventable accidents as a commercial driver. Transportation Specialists Ltd. hired Edson five years ago, according to Larry Miles, Edson’s nominator. Edson works as a regional driver navigating congested cities and busy highways. He holds a HazMat endorsement allowing him to move sensitive loads. “Michael deserves recognition as NTA September Driver of the Month for his outstanding driving record, professionalism and as a role model for future CMV drivers,” Miles said.

2018 August Driver of the Month
Hal E. Page, Hunt Transportation

Hal has been a commercial driver for 40 years with 26 years and more than three million miles at Hunt Transportation. ‘He is the definition of a safe driver,’ said his nominator, Heath Richards. ‘Hal is the first one to raise a hand to help out, never complains and always holds safety to the highest standard. He is able to separate himself from the challenges on the road and has not had an accident in his 26 years at Hunt.’ Hal has been recognized with the Safe Driving Award from Hunt, the Three-Million-Mile accident free award from the American Trucking Association and his hobbies include tinkering with motorcycles and enjoying home time.

2018 July Driver of the Month
Larry Gieveshausen, Midwest Motor Express

Larry has more than 50 years commercial driving and 15 years with Midwest Motor Express. He has more than 31 million total career miles, as an over the road driver with no accidents. Nominated by Chris Senty, ‘Larry has spent almost a lifetime driving and has never had an accident or ticket.  Larry is the example of what fleets want in a driver; he is very professional and has a great attitude. Larry’s years of experience in the trucking industry brings a wealth of knowledge to our company and to the new drivers he mentors.  After all these years, Larry still has a smile and kind words to share and has great customer service, giving trucking the positive image that it deserves.’

Larry has been recognized for safe driving by previous employers and enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, working on old cars with his sons Brandon and Mark, wood working and metal detecting.

2018 June Driver of the Month
Ed Mischler, Fremont Contract Carriers

Ed has more than 16 years of commercial driving with nearly four years at FCC. He has nearly two million career miles. Nominated by Ann Dostal, she said, “Ed’s safety record is a testament to his dedication to safety, customer service and professionalism. Ed is always willing to help out and does a great job.” He is a member of the president’s Safe Driver Club and has received the Safe Driver Award for three years.

2018 May Driver of the Month
Raymond Choate, Zeitner & Sons

Raymond has 28 years of commercial driving experience with six of those at Zeitner and Sons. He’s had more than two and one-half million career miles with no preventable accidents as a commercial driver! Nominated by Jolene Jankowski, she said, ‘Raymond is an all-around good guy and great driver. He is east to work with because he plans ahead, had a good head on his shoulders and delivers on time.’ He has received numerous safety awards from Zeitner and is a one-year member of the President’s Safe Driving Club.

2018 April Driver of the Month
Marshall McNelley, TSL Companies

Marshall has been a commercial driver for more than 40 years and has spent the last six and one-half years with TSL. He has logged nearly four million miles in his career and is a three-year member of the President’s Safe Driving Club as well as a six-year member of the TSL Safety Award. Larry Miles, Manger of Driver Development and Support for TSL said, “Marshall is a good runner… helpful when TSL needs special products run, is very knowledgeable about equipment and customers and is a hard worker, with a great professional attitude that our customers love.”

2018 March Driver of the Month
Enrique Lopez, TSL Companies

Enrique is a 13-year driver with TSL and has more than 2.5 years of commercial driving experience. He has more than one-half million career miles. Nominator Larry Miles said, “Enrique is great! He will do anything to help others. As a local driver, he will jump in a sleeper and run out to the coast if needed. He is also a back-up trainer who helps new drivers as needed and also takes new office personnel on ride-alongs throughout Omaha to help them learn the ins and outs of the intermodel industry.” He is a member of the President’s Safe Driving Club and a multi-year recipient of the TSL Safe Driver Awards.

2018 February Driver of the Month – Larry Sorenson, Orthman Logistics

2018 January Driver of the Month – Greg McLain, Orthman Logistics

2017 Driver of the Year – Richard Boyd, Crete Carrier Corporation

2017 December Driver of the Month – Juan Rodriguez-Severin, Grand Island Express

2017 November Driver of the Month – John Putney, Greater Omaha Express

2017 October Driver of the Month – Steven McCreary, Williams Transportation, Inc.

2017 September Driver of the Month – Chris Paulson, Grand Island Express, Inc.

2017 August Driver of the Month – Brian Allen, Grand Island Express, Inc.

2017 July Driver of the Month – Aaron Schreckengost, Fremont Contract Carriers, Inc.

2017 June Driver of the Month – Tom Galvin, American Ag Transport, LLC.

2017 May Driver of the Month – Tim Anderson, ABF Freight

2017 April Driver of the Month – Kenneth White, Transportation Specialists, Limited

2017 March Driver of the Month – Paul Hanson, Alpha Mail Carrier

2017 February Driver of the Month – Eric Bauman, Grand Island Express

January 2017 Driver of the Month – Butch Henderson, Crete Carrier Corporation

2016 Driver of the Year – Doug Ayers, Crete Carrier Corporation

December 2016 Driver of the Month – Jeremy Mentzer, Crete Carrier Corporation

November 2016 Driver of the Month – Grover ‘JR’ Camp, Grand Island Express

October 2016 Driver of the Month – Richard Boyd, Crete Carrier Corporation

September 2016 Driver of the Month – John Wendelin, Sadoff and Rudoy Transport, LLC

August 2016 Driver of the Month – Keith Carter, Jr., Crete Carrier Corporation

July 2016 Driver of the Month – Neal Swisher, WalMart Transportation

June 2016 Driver of the Month – George Easton, Orthman Logistics

May 2016 Driver of the Month – Bradley Leibhart, Orthman Logistics

April 2016 Driver of the Month – Jeff Keifer, Grand Island Express

March 2016 Driver of the Month – Buddy Moore, Orthmam Logistics

February 2016 Driver of the Month – Steve Hays, Grand Island Express