James Starr, a Groendyke Transport driver and reigning National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year, was presented with a brand new Peterbilt 579 sleeper straight off the production line at the Peterbilt Motor Company’s Denton, Tex. plant.
“James attended our Groendyke Leadership Summit and we had one of the new 579 Peterbilt trucks displayed,” said David James, Groendyke’s chief operating officer. “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 with the NTTC Professional Driver of the Year award at the organization’s 66th annual conference in Las Vegas. 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.
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 on April 27.
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.
The NTTC 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.
