Mixer-Truck Driver of the Year
The North Dakota Ready Mix & Concrete Products Association’s Ready Mixed Concrete Delivery Professional Driver of the Year Award acknowledges the significant contribution of ready-mixed concrete truck drivers to the growth and success of individual companies and the ready mixed concrete industry. As a salute to these key members of the concrete production and delivery team, the award recognizes the driver’s career achievement, safety, professionalism, competence, and customer service skills in a manner that will enhance the industry and public image of the career Ready Mixed Concrete Delivery Professional.
The Application Deadline for the 2024 NDRM&CPA Mixer Truck Driver of the Year has passed. Check back in Fall 2025 for this years’ application.
Josh Ridl of Dickinson Ready Mix is based out of DRM’s Bowman, ND plant. Josh has served the industry for 23 years officially, but has been a part of the ready-mixed concrete industry his whole life. The Ridl family formerly owned and operated Bowman Ready Mix as a small town, family operation for more than 60 years. Throughout his career, Josh has averaged hauling more than 2,600 yards of concrete per year. In addition to his service of delivery, Mr. Ridl acts as batch plant operator, loads bins, and performs every duty necessary to ensure the successful operation of the Bowman facility. Dave Grinsteinner, Operations Manager of Dickinson Ready Mix, says of Josh: “Josh has a no nonsense, honest and forthcoming attitude concerning work, relationships, and abilities. He will always be the first to chip in and help out to get the job done with precision and accuracy to reduce down time and get everyone home quickly and safely.”
Jim Linder of the Holcim Fargo RMX Plant was chosen by an unbiased panel of Associate Members as the NDRM&CPA 2023 Mixer Truck Driver of the Year. Mr. Linder has served the industry for more than 25 years, providing no lost-time due to injury. Mr. Linder has averaged more than 7,000 yards of concrete delivered year-over-year, with -zero- rejected loads. Prior to his career as a ready-mix concrete delivery professional, he spent many years as a local concrete contractor. It’s this prior experience that has led Jim to fully understanding what the customer’s needs are. Mr. Linder has dedicated himself to not only the profession of concrete delivery, but training the next generation of delivery professionals as well. Holcim has zeroed in on Jim’s abilities, patience, and dedication and have made him their internal trainer for all new delivery professionals and official driver for Holcim’s specially painted Direct App and NDSU Football trucks.
Chad Fossen, Ready Mix Area Manager for Holcim says of Jim: “Since the beginning of Jim’s employment, he liked and requested to take last loads of the day or at least one of them. He always leads the way in hours worked, loads hauled, and truck cleanliness.” Christopher Kallhoff of Rohrich Custom Concrete LLC says of Jim: “Jim knows the ins and outs of the industry very well whether he has the right slump or the intuition to know how his truck placement to make our jobs less labor intensive. He always shows up with a smile on his face and asks our guys how the weekend or previous night was. Jim truly cares not just about his job, but about everyone around him.”
All of us extend our most heartfelt congratulations to Jim Linder in his awarding of the North Dakota Ready Mix & Concrete Products Association 2024 Mixer Truck Driver of the Year. In addition to Jim winning the North Dakota award, his credentials and application have been sent to the National Ready Mix Concrete Association (NRMCA) for consideration in the 2025 National Mixer Truck Driver of the Year.