Groendyke Transport driver James Kontny was named the 2015 New Mexico Truck Driver of the Year by New Mexico Trucking Association.
NMTA managing director Johnny Johnson presented Kontny with the award during NMTA’s annual banquet Saturday. Kontny was chosen for his outstanding performance and service in the state’s trucking industry.
Kontny has worked in the trucking industry most of his life and has been with Groendyke Transport for the past 24 years. He has no at-fault accidents as a Groendyke employee and was recently inducted into the company’s President’s Club for his outstanding safety record.
“In the 27 years I have known Jim, I cannot remember a single service failure,” said Groendyke Transport Western Regional Manager Sam Bagby. “A load given to Jim is a load in the books--delivered safely, on time and always with professionalism.”
Kontny grew up on a ranch in Woodland Park CO, where he learned to drive by skidding logs on an old Fordson tractor, and he spent many a cold night running a blade or a dozer moving snow on Rampart Range. He went to work for Carnation in Colorado Springs CO, and has been in the trucking business ever since.