A driver with the company for 12 years won the third annual Duane and Connie Kottke Distinguished Driver of the Year award given by Kottke Trucking of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota.
Jeff Bass received the award Saturday, Jan. 7, during a program at the Jackpot Junction Casino and Hotel in Morton, Minnesota.
Bass won the second quarter’s Jim Doering Award of Excellence, which qualified him for the Distinguished Driver of the Year award.
When Bass was nominated for the quarterly award, this is what his nominator said about him:
Jeff Bass (second from right) was named Kottke’s driver of the year. With him are company President Kurt Kottke (from left), General Manager Kyle Kottke and Vice President Kory Kottke (right).
“Jeff has made the transition to e-logs look very effortless. He knows what needs to be done and plans ahead to get it done. Jeff is very knowledgeable of his equipment and he knows how to repair on the road if necessary. Jeff is very easy to work with and has a great sense of humor. Jeff is very dedicated to his job and is not afraid to help any other driver when needed. Jeff has many of the same qualities that Jim Doering had and is very deserving of this award.”
Bass’ fellow nominees come from the other quarterly winners of the Jim Doering Award of Excellence winners: First Quarter winner James Rogalski, Third Quarter winner Peter Ngeru and Fourth Quarter winner Mike Rapacz.
Jim Doering was Kottke Trucking’s first long time driver and stayed with our company for over 35 years.
Previous winners of the Duane and Connie Kottke Distinguished Driver of the Year Award are Tom Erickson and Rick Pautzke.
Kottke Trucking’s Driver Board created the idea of the award, which is administered by company staffers. The Distinguished Driver of the Year award is named for the second generation of family members in the company: Duane and Connie Kottke.
Kottke Trucking has been in business since 1938 and for the past three decades the primary business is to transport dry, refrigerated and frozen food items. It has 170 drivers and 30 support staff.
Jeff Bass (second from right) was named Kottke’s driver of the year. With him are company President Kurt Kottke (from left), General Manager Kyle Kottke and Vice President Kory Kottke (right).
