An Opies Transport Inc driver was honored at the Missouri Motor Carriers Safety Awards Banquet in Jefferson City MO. This event culminated the 2000 Driver of the Month competition in which professional drivers from Missouri were judged on driving ability, professionalism, safety record, number of accident-free miles, and service to their community.
Jim Claycomb of Windsor MO was selected as Missouri Driver of the Month for November 2000. Claycomb began his driving career in 1963 and since that time has driven more than 4 million miles with no preventable accidents. He began driving for Opies in 1987 and has logged a total of 1,560,000 miles for the firm with no preventable accidents. He plans to retire this year.
The Employee of the Year service award was given to Richard Gronstedt of Versailles MO. He has been employed as a farm route driver for Opies for 11 years. Opies also honored two employees for 20 years of service (Carolyn Imler and James “Hap” Henley, both of Eldon MO) and one employee for 10 years of service (Paul Cline of Camdenton MO).