Utah woman wins national driving award

Rhonda KitchenRhonda Kitchen

Rhonda Kitchen, of Salt Lake County, Utah, has been named the 2017 Driver of the Year in the public sector by the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA). She is the first woman to receive this award.

The award honors drivers “who operate their trucks in a safe and responsible manner, have outstanding performance records, and whose contributions have enhanced the overall image of the solid waste industry,” the association said.

Kitchen is an equipment operator for Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District (WFWRD) and is a 17-year veteran of the industry.

“She is an expert at operating all collection equipment, which maximizes our ability to meet our customer’s needs and remain cost effective with a healthy economy of scope,” said Pam Roberts, WFWRD’s executive director.