The Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) recently named Austin MN resident Arthur Stoen the 2018 Minnesota Driver of the Year at its Driver of the Year Banquet.
Stoen drives for Kane Transport, a petroleum carrier headquartered in Inver Grove Heights MN that provides hazardous materials and liquid bulk service to the upper Midwest. Kane also transports asphalt, biodiesel and ethanol.
The veteran driver has been trucking for 55 years, with more than 4.4 million safe miles.
“This award is a great way to honor the best in our industry,” said John Hausladen, MTA president. “We’re proud to award Art for this outstanding achievement.
“Driving safe is no easy task, especially when you take into consideration his daily driving conditions like congestion, driver distractions and Minnesota winters. Having 4.4 million safe driving miles is an astonishing accomplishment, especially given the unique challenge of safely delivering and unloading diesel and gasoline without incident.”
John Shaleen, Kane’s director of safety, praised Stoen for his work ethic and industry knowledge.
“Art is hard-working, safe, efficient and reliable, and truly understands customer service and expectations of a driver,” Shaleen said. “He is one of the best running and efficient drivers in our fleet, and always goes above and beyond.”
In addition to setting a great example of what it means to be an outstanding professional truck driver, Art enjoys traveling, fishing and spending time with family.
Each year, exceptional drivers are nominated by their companies and one driver is chosen each month as Driver of the Month. These drivers meet a high standard, including an outstanding driving and work record, contribution to industry and highway safety, and involvement in the community. In January, MTA hosts the Driver of the Year Banquet and one of the twelve nominees is selected as Driver of the Year by a panel of judges, including Matthew Marin, division administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Deb Ledvina, director of commercial vehicle operations at MnDOT; and Capt. Jon Olsen of the Minnesota State Patrol.
