Steve Niswander, vice-president, safety policy and regulatory relations, Groendyke Transport Inc, has been named the American Trucking Associations 2006 Safety Director of the Year.
A 27-year safety veteran, Niswander oversees a successful safety program for a team of 1,300 drivers across 40 terminals nationwide, ATA said. The award, sponsored by Rand McNally, is presented annually to the motor carrier safety executive whose professional qualifications, safety programs, and achievements are considered outstanding.
Other safety awards earned by Niswander as the leader of the Groendyke safety programs include the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) Outstanding Performance Trophy in both 1999 and 2000. He also was named the Safety Director of the Year for each of those years. The NTTC Outstanding Performance Trophy is awarded annually by Heil International of Chattanooga TN and is presented each year to the carrier that is judged to have the best comprehensive safety program in the tank truck industry during the previous year.
ATA also named James Wilcox, a Yellow Transportation Inc driver, ATA 2006 National Truck Driver of the Year. Three motor carriers were selected as winners of the ATA 2006 National Truck Safety Contest. The companies, representing large, mid-size, and small fleets, are Con-Way Southern Express, Fort Worth TX; FedEx Custom Critical, Uniontown OH; and Ward Trucking LLC, Altoona, PA.