On January 7, 2017, Kotte Trucking held its third annual Driver of the Year program at Jackpot Junction Casino and Hotel in Morton, MN. The third annual Duane and Connie Kottke Distinguished Driver of the Year award was given to Jeff Bass.
Bass has been with Kottke Trucking since July 13, 2004. He was the named the Second Quarter Jim Doering Award of Excellence winner which qualified him for the Duane and Connie Kottke Distinguished Driver of the Year.
When Bass was nominated for the quarterly award, this is what his nominator said about him:
“Jeff has made the transition to e-logs look very effortless. He knows what needs to be done and plans ahead to get it done. Jeff is very knowledgeable of his equipment and he knows how to repair on the road if necessary. Jeff is very easy to work with and has a great sense of humor. Jeff is very dedicated to his job and is not afraid to help any other driver when needed. Jeff has many of the same qualities that Jim Doering had and is very deserving of this award.”
Kottke Trucking’s Driver Board created the idea of the Driver of the Year program and it was carried out by our staff. The Distinguished Driver of the Year award is named after our second generation visionaries: Duane and Connie Kottke. Their ability to build the base that our company stands on today, doesn’t go without notice.
Bass’ fellow nominees come from the other quarterly winners of the Jim Doering Award of Excellence winners: First Quarter winner James Rogalski, Third Quarter winner Peter Ngeru and Fourth Quarter winner Mike Rapacz. Jim Doering was Kottke Trucking’s first long time driver and stayed with our company for over 35 years. The quarterly awards are named in his memory.
Previous winners of the Duane and Connie Kottke Distinguished Driver of the Year Award are Tom Erickson and Rick Pautzke.
Kottke Trucking has been in business since 1938 and for the past three decades the primary business is to transport dry, refrigerated and frozen food items. Our third-generation owned company mainly operates in the Midwest, South and Southeastern part of the United States. Our fleet consists of 170 drivers and 30 support staff. Kottke Trucking is based out of Buffalo Lake, MN with offices in Eagan, MN and Wildwood, FL.
Official press release can be found here.
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