Dave Friestad of Holcim-MWR is based out of the Valley City plant.  Dave has served the industry for more than 45 years, hauling more than 3,200 yards of concrete per year.  In addition to his service of delivery, Mr. Friestad holds multiple certifications in First Aid, CPR, Aerial Lift, and is a MNDOT Certified Truck Inspector.  During the winter months, Dave completes annual DOT inspections and repairs on all of the mixer trucks in Holcim MWR’s ND Region as well as runs the Holcim Valley City shop repairing trucks and performing batch plant maintenance.  Doug Dietrich, the Holcim MWR North Dakota Area Manager says of Dave’s work: “Dave is much more than just a driver; he is always my go-to driver for everything from training new drivers, assisting with plant breakdown repairs, and helps maintains his and many coworkers’ ready-mix trucks so we can have success throughout the busy operating season.”

Richard (Ricky) Fulda of Dickinson Ready Mix was chosen by an unbiased panel of Associate Members as the NDRM&CPA 2023 Ready Mixed Concrete Delivery Professional Driver of the Year.  Mr. Fulda has served the industry for more than 36 years, providing no lost-time injury accidents and no at-fault rejections of a concrete load throughout his tenure.  Delivering more than 4,800 CY per year average, Ricky has dedicated himself to the craft of ready-mix truck driving.  Mr. Fulda currently holds ACI Grade I Field Testing Certification, NRMCA Concrete Delivery Professional (CDP) certification, North Dakota Safety Council Defensive Driving Certification, and is a DRM Mentor Driver for new drivers of the DRM fleet.  Dickinson Ready Mix President & General Manager, Scott Olin, says of Ricky: “I am not exaggerating when I say that Ricky is the most positive, upbeat driver we have ever had on staff here at DRM.”

Mr. Fulda’s reach doesn’t stop at Dickinson Ready Mix, either.  Mathew Sisson of Winn Construction says of Rick’s service: “Ricky knows concrete to put it simply.  His slump is always where we need it as a customer.  He knows how to handle everyone that he is working with, whether it is the pumpers, testers, or contractors. He is one of the most competent drivers that we have worked with in the area. Ricky is lighthearted and always has a smile on his face making everyone on site crack a smile.  In this industry, we need that every once in a while, and at the same time he is willing to read the situation and get his hands dirty if need be.”

“When Ricky arrives on the job, he has the best interest of the customer at hand until he leaves the site.  I always know he is going to have my interest at the forefront of his mind and do anything that is needed for myself or my crew” says Steve Tolman of Tolman Concrete.

Mr. Fulda’s direct supervisor, Dave Grinsteinner, may have put it best when he said in his recommendation letter: “For twelve years I have had the pleasure to work with and get to know Richard Fulda.  Though many days were difficult and overwhelming, we were sorely pressed to maintain our standards and dignity.  Richard was consistently raising the bar and helping others to exceed expectations.  For these reasons I strongly recommend Richard Fulda, aka Ricky, aka Ricky Love, aka The Worlds Greatest American as Driver of the Year.”

All of us extend our most heartfelt congratulations to Richard Fulda in his awarding of the North Dakota Ready Mix & Concrete Products Association 2023 Ready Mixed Concrete Delivery Professional Driver of the Year.