WINNIPEG, Man. – The Manitoba Trucking Association recently announced Driver of the Month Awards for a strong group of exceptionally professional drivers.

These drivers demonstrated exemplary records of safety, customer service and dedication:

For May, Ernie Penner, of Penner International was presented the award. Penner has been a professional driver for 36 years, of which the last 22 have been with his current company. He accumulated 3.6 million accident-free miles.

Raymond Ross of Reimer Express Lines was Driver of the Month for June. Ross has been driving mostly in heavy urban traffic, working hard for his two million accident-free miles.

Pete Neufeld, of Penner International was awarded Driver of the Month for July. Neufeld tallied up over 2.5 million accident-free miles in his 26 years of driving. Neufeld has been active on the Safety Committee, and is a qualified Class 1 Instructor.

In August 2001, the Driver of the Month award went to John Burtnack of Arnold Bros. Transport. Burtnack is a 30-year veteran and has amassed nearly three million miles. He is also a volunteer ambulance driver in his community and drives the bus for the local hockey league.