The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s 22nd Ready Mixed Concrete Driver of the Year program recognizes three industry veterans from a pool of outstanding delivery professionals. The NRMCA Safety, Environmental and Operational Excellence Committee assembled a panel of judges to weigh nominees’ competence, driving skills, number of years without an accident, and colleague or customer testimonials.
The NRMCA Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau will present checks of $5,000 to Driver of the Year Leonard “Glenn” Brown of (page 49) and $1,000 to Runners-Up Henry Craig of Concrete Supply (below); and, Frank Padilla of Central Concrete Supply Co. (page 48). The drivers will also be honored this month in Houston during the NRMCA 2018 Convention. As Driver of the Year program cosponsor, Concrete Products joins the association and Safety, Environmental and Operational Excellence Committee in congratulating all 2018 nominees for their professionalism, safe operating skills, teamwork, and critical role in conveying a positive message about ready mixed concrete.
Based at the Clemson Plant in Seneca, S.C., Henry Craig has logged 34 years without a vehicle or on-site accident, and averaged 4,300 yards delivered over the past three years—metrics reflected in his earning of the Carolinas Ready Mixed Concrete Association Lifetime Achievement Award (2017).
“He is a professional in all of his working attributes; a class act with his team leadership and an absolute pleasure to be around,” notes Concrete Supply Operations Manager Todd Morris. “While striving to deliver top-quality concrete, safety has always remained the first priority for Mr. Craig. Not only does he instruct our new hires on safe driving behaviors, but on a voluntary basis, has traveled throughout our 50-plus plant network in order to actively educate our experienced professionals on proper safe driving techniques and deliver specific course material on how to effectively reduce distractions while driving a concrete mixer truck.”
“[Henry Craig] is diligent to observe every job to ensure that he can place the mixer truck in the appropriate location, safely, time after time,” adds Concrete Supply customer and KVC Concrete owner Kevin Verner. “He maneuvers the mixer truck anywhere I need it.”
Responding to area communities’ rise in domestic violence incidents, Craig requested that his mixer bear the graphics shown here, supporting Safe Harbor of the Upstate outreach efforts. After a plant visit, group representative Margaret Evans acknowledged the driver’s creative initiative to provide such a resource to help others—and in a way her agency had not seen before. “Thank you for using your profession as a tool for change and being such a positive influence in the lives of others,” she told Craig.
Central Concrete Supply 2017 Driver of the Year Frank Padilla has operated a mixer truck for 33 years without a vehicle or on-site accident, and in each of the last three years has averaged 15,500 yards in ready mixed deliveries. Customers are quick to support his nomination in this year’s NRMCA Driver of the Year program.
“Frank is always calm and collected and easy going; he has never been cross or argumentative,” says Ceco Concrete Co. Superintendent Todd Charchenko. “[He] is very patient and always willing to share information. I have been using Central since I came to this job and have valued his personality and professionalism on almost every pour.”
“Frank approaches each job with a positive attitude and attention to detail and logistics to maintain a positive performance. He is a highly respected individual, always looking out for the safety of our crew and others on the job site,” adds Terry Alexander of Janco Industries. “He is an excellent driver who can handle a tight job site or a difficult situation with equal measure of teamwork and efficiency. Frank is the driver that every contractor wants on their projects.”
Adds DPR Construction’s Victor Aguilar, “Frank Padilla has many qualities such as a great character, and always shows up to concrete pours with a great attitude, professionalism and a smile that is contagious when early morning pours are starting out rough. I manage all the staging/logistics for pumps and concrete trucks and when I get into a pickle situation, Frank, along with a few other drivers, help me figure things out with their expertise.”
Glenn Brown is closing in on 39 years of mixer truck driving without a vehicle or on-site accident, and has averaged more than 11,000 yards delivered in each of the past three years. That track record factored into the Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association naming him 2017 Driver of the Year.
Based at the Aurora Plant, Brown is a natural leader by example and happy to lend a helping hand to new and old drivers alike, according to Martin Marietta Metro Denver Plant Manager Doug Berger. “His enthusiasm for the job and safety is contagious, stimulating discussions with coworkers that would otherwise not engage. Glenn [also] brings his great attitude to jobsites and passes it onto customers and pump operators alike. When jobsite issues come up, he is the first to start offering potential solutions and works with everyone to make sure they can complete the job.”
“Glenn’s attitude is matched by his outstanding performance as one of the most consistent, top performing drivers with Martin Marietta,” Berger continues. “Aside from optimism, energy at work, and performance, another outstanding quality is the dedication he shows day-in and day-out. He is a uniquely remarkable employee given his many great traits and stands as a prime example of a ready mix concrete driver.”
“Glenn has been delivering concrete to our projects for years,” adds Mortenson Construction, Denver Operating Group’s Curtis Nelson, concrete general foreman. “He is a steadily upbeat guy that passionately takes pride in his job. When things get crazy and stressful, there’s Glenn with a concerning smile. He is also very safety oriented and cares for the safety of those around him. He is professional, polite and courteous to all around him. I look forward to seeing him with the next load of concrete, perfect every time.
“There is no one I know more qualified or appropriate to be recognized for an award such as this,” affirms Brundage Bone Concrete Pumping Colorado/Wyoming Branch Manager Rob Gardner. “Martin Marietta and the Denver concrete industry are better because of this man. He is the perfect steward to his company and what they represent.”