Groendyke Driver Receives Star Treatment
ENID, OK, April 16, 2015 – It’s not often in the trucking business that the term “star struck” is used, but this past week Groendyke Transport, along with National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) and Peterbilt Motor Company, had the opportunity to honor a driver whose name is befitting of his national title. James Starr, a Groendyke Transport driver and current NTTC Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year, was presented with a brand new Peterbilt 579 Sleeper straight off the production line in Peterbilt’s Denton, Texas plant.
The original idea came to David James, Groendyke Chief Operating Officer, during the company’s annual management meetings.
“James attended our Groendyke Leadership Summit and we had one of the new 579 Peterbilt trucks displayed. He remarked that he liked the truck and I thought it would be a great way to celebrate Jim’s career accomplishments and his status as the NTTC’s reigning Grand Champion.”
Starr, a 42-year trucking veteran was presented the National Tank Truck Carriers Professional Driver of the Year award at its 66th Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV. The award, which is sponsored by Baldwin & Lyons, celebrates excellence in the safety and professionalism that is required of tank truck drivers across the nation. These men and women serve as ambassadors for an industry which is tasked with transporting liquid and sometimes hazardous bulk, in order to provide essential services to the general public. Starr is the first recipient of the award.
“What a tremendous thrill to see James and Gwen Starr receive the well-deserved praise and respect of the entire Peterbilt production crew,” said NTTC Chairman Dean E. Kaplan. “It was a special day for all of us to be there in support of James and our thanks are due to both Groendyke and Peterbilt for including NTTC’s leadership.”
The next National Tank Truck Carriers Professional Driver of the Year award will be named at the 67th NTTC Annual Conference in Boston, MA on April 27th.
About Groendyke:
Groendyke Transport is one of the largest tank-truck carriers in the nation with more than 80 years of expertise to liquid bulk shipping operations. Throughout North America, Groendyke operates with industry-recognized on-time performance and unparalleled dedication to safe and responsive service. The Company is an ISO 9001-registered carrier with the highest-quality commitment and processes in place to meet the most stringent qualifications with each and every load—more than 420,000 last year alone.
About NTTC:
The National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. has represented the tank truck industry before Congress and various federal agencies since its founding in 1945. NTTC’s membership is comprised of over 240 trucking companies that specialize in bulk transportation services by cargo tank throughout North America. Additionally, the organization also has over 350 associate members that service our industry including cargo tank repair facilities, tractor manufacturers, tank trailer manufacturers, and other related tank truck equipment and services.