Kottke Trucking prides itself in having the best employees in the trucking industry. From office staff to mechanics to everything in between, we are grateful and blessed to have such immense talent as part of our family. We are incredibly proud of our world-class drivers, of course, too. Our drivers are the best you’ll find in the cab or out. One of those amazing drivers that we are immensely grateful for is Laurie Leonard.
Laurie has been a ‘Trucker Buddy’ with a class at Sartell Middle School. We’ll let an email we received from the teacher of Laurie’s buddies explain a little more about what Laurie has been doing.
Hello Kyle,
My name is Kelly Nystrom, and I am a teacher at Sartell Middle School. One of your employees, Laurie Leonard, has been our class “Trucker Buddy” this year, and it has been a phenomenal experience! My students have enjoyed writing/receiving letters from her, learning a few do’s and don’ts about the trucking industry, and her visits this year. They were especially excited when she was able to bring in the truck on Monday! Here are a few words from them:
Sam: I liked seeing the truck it was cool.
Dylan: thank you for letting Laurie bring her truck. It was cool going back in the trailer.
Jack: I liked all of it especially driving
Aliya: The nor on Laurie’s truck rules! Thank you for letting her show it to us.
Trey: Laurie brought us presents from Hawaii and the truck this week.shes really cool.
Jaylee: thank you Laurie for all the visits and letters”,”,!!!!!!
Thanks so much for connecting with our classroom this year and making a difference!
We at Kottke Trucking are blessed to have Laurie as part of our team. She is a truly special soul. We appreciate all she does for Kottke Trucking and she is a dream representative of Kottke Trucking. Thank you, Laurie.
This is what Rapacz’s nominator said about him: “Mike is dedicated to his job. Does his job very well and never do your hear Mike complain about loads, loading/unloading times – he just simply does his job. Mike like to keep Kurt guessing as to the ’new towns’ Mike seems to find right at check call times. Mike has a sense of humor above all. His quote is ‘it is what it is’. Mike takes pride in his job- not only because that is who he is but also for his two girls. For Mike, dedication and loyalty goes full circle. ‘Work hard and give 100%’, words to live by.”
I had a wonderful time in 2016 being part of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year program. While humbly surprised we passed through four stages to make it to the national level, got to wear a tux on two occasions and met tremendously wonderful, talented and nationally known people – the true highlight for me was the opportunity to spend time with my brothers. As our business has grown, we spend most of our time together as partners and not nearly enough time together as brothers. Having our beverage of choice and talking anything but business, even if for just a moment, was truly the highlight of my rewarding experience.