The 29th Ready Mixed Concrete Delivery Professional Driver of the Year program recognizes three industry veterans from a pool of outstanding team players. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Safety, Environmental and Operations Committee tasked a panel of judges to weigh nominees’ competence, driving skills, safety records, and colleague or customer testimonials.
The NRMCA Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau will present checks of $5,000 to Driver of the Year Michael Welsh (page 41) and $1,500 to Runners-Up Hector Buz (below) and Mark Nieciecki (opposite page) during an awards luncheon this month in Arizona. As Driver of the Year program cosponsor, Concrete Products joins the Association and SEO Committee in congratulating all 2025 Driver of the Year nominees.
In his sixth year of delivering ready mixed concrete, Hector Buz earned the title of Dolese Bros. Driver of the Year. The honor reflects a remarkable track record with his Oklahoma employer: No on-the-job accidents or rejected loads and averaging delivery of 6,000-plus yards of concrete over the past three years.
“Hector Buz has consistently exceeded expectations in every aspect of his work. From the outset, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to take on complex tasks with ease, delivering positive results without sacrificing quality,” notes Dolese Bros. Area Supervisor Chris Branscum in his nomination of Buz as NRMCA Driver of the Year. “His proactive approach to problem-solving and willingness to take on additional responsibilities has significantly impacted the team’s success. Hector not only excels in his work, but he elevates the performance of those around him through his support, collaboration, and leadership.”
“I have engaged Hector on various projects. He is professional, courteous, and patient when a pour takes extra time,” notes Cantera Concrete Co. Superintendent Tyler Burris. “He takes pride in his mixer truck and is a good representative for Dolese Bros.”
“I can say that Hector is a good driver, professional, and keeps a clean truck,” adds Ideal Homes Superintendent Lucas Riggins. “I don’t recall him having any issues on our job sites or complaints from the subs pouring concrete on our homes. He seems very proficient in his work, which is visible by the pride he has in his truck and how he engages our employees and subs.”
A 21-year veteran of Chicago market leader Prairie Materials, Mark Nieciecki is credited with a skill set reflected in solid mixer driving record and expertise operating wheel loaders, man lifts, skid steers and other rolling stock. In his main capacity, last year brought an exclamation point, as he finished fourth in the National Mixer Driver Championship, staged in Denver along with the NRMCA 2024 ConcreteWorks Conference. That performance amplified his NRMCA Certified Concrete Delivery Professional credential.
“Mark’s charismatic personality and ability to motivate those he works with, whether internally or externally, further highlight his exceptional leadership qualities. His dedication to quality, expansive knowledge of ready mix, and positive attitude make him a ‘jack of all trades’ and vital asset to our team,” notes Prairie Materials Operations Manager Scott Linskey.
“I have known Mark for over 20 years and am very familiar with his work ethic,” adds Skokie, Ill. customer Schroeder & Schroeder Inc. President Joseph Vrabel, speaking on firsthand observation with field crews. “He is always very conscientious of safety, punctuality and quality of the product delivered—making sure the mix is correct when it arrives at the job site. We appreciate every time Mark comes to one of our jobs as we have not had a driver who operates as well as he does.”
“Mark has always been willing to jump in where needed, and goes above and beyond his job description,” adds Bobbie Galichio, yard supervisor with America Material Sales Inc., Roselle, Ill. “His leadership and attention to detail have been instrumental in achieving our goals.”
NRMCA and the SEO Committee honor Michael Welsh, a mixer truck driver for 18 of his 36 years at Silvi Materials, for his career achievements, exceptional safety record, professionalism, driving competency, peer adoration and customer successes. An NRMCA Concrete Delivery Professional with American Concrete Institute field certification and Smith System training, he is likewise a recent Silvi Materials Driver of the Year candidate.
“Mike has not only mastered every aspect of plant operations but has also trained nearly every manager and assistant manager over the past 20 years, particularly on batching processes,” notes Morrisville Plant Manager Steve Misko, who nominated the 2025 NRMCA Driver of the Year. “His expertise spans every task, and there is no role—whether driver or plant personnel—that he doesn’t excel in. He approaches every challenge with professionalism and is deeply respected by our entire team, especially our drivers, who look up to him for his guidance and leadership. Whenever an issue arises, whether related to fleet or plant operations, Mike is the first person I turn to.”
“Mike is normally operating one of the first trucks to my pours,” adds customer Rui Pereira of J.M. Pereira & Sons Inc. “If I see him in his truck, I know I’m going to get great customer service. If I don’t see him, I know he’s probably back at the plant batching very consistent concrete. Mike is an expert at delivering concrete and always pours exactly where and how the workers like it. When the site workers see him, they know their job will go smoothly with no headaches.”
“When truck 84 pulls up to my job site, I can see a sigh of relief from my workers,” affirms another eastern Pennsylvania customer. “Mike is an expert at what he does. He works very well with everyone on site and always works with us whenever we ask for anything out of the ordinary. Mike is the perfect example of what a mixer driver should strive to be. He is welcome on our job site anytime.”