Alexandria, VA – February 3, 2025
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) has named Michael Welsh of Pennsylvania Producer member Silvi Materials the 2025 Ready Mixed Concrete Delivery Professional Driver of the Year. A national panel of industry judges selected Mr. Welsh as the top driver from a strong field of outstanding applicants from across the United States. Mr. Welsh, whose home plant is in Morrisville, PA, was honored for his career achievements, exceptional safety record, professionalism, driving competency, peer adoration and customer successes. His extraordinary safety record includes an 18-year driving career with no at-fault rejected loads.
He is ACI certified, Smith System trained and a certified NRMCA Concrete Delivery Professional (CDP). Mr. Welsh was also named a 2021 Silvi Driver of the Year nominee. On Mr. Welsh’s application, Morrisville Plant Manager Steve Misko wrote, “Mike has not only mastered every aspect of plant operations but has also trained nearly every manager and assistant manager over the past 20 years, particularly on batching processes. Mike’s expertise spans every task, and there is no role – whether driver or plant personnel – that he doesn’t excel in. He approaches every challenge with professionalism and is deeply respected by our entire team, especially our drivers, who look up to him for his guidance and leadership. Whenever an issue arises, whether related to driving or plant operations, Mike is the first person I turn to.”
In one of Michael’s letters of recommendation, customer Rui Pereira of J.M. Pereira & Sons, Inc., wrote, “Mike is normally one of the first trucks to my pours. If I see him in his truck, I know I’m going to get great customer service. If I don’t see him, I know he’s probably back at the plant batching very consistent concrete. Mike is an expert at pouring concrete and always pours exactly where and how the workers like it. When the workers on site see him, they know their job will go smoothly with no headaches.”
The judges also selected two extraordinary runners-up, the first is 6-year driver Hector Buz with Dolese Bros. Co. in Oklahoma City driving out of Yukon, OK. Mr. Buz has a remarkable safety record, having no on-the-job vehicle accidents or rejected loads while amazingly delivering an average of over 6,000 cubic yards annually over the past three years. He is the 2024 Dolese Driver of the Year, a relief batcher and driver trainer.
Writes Chris Branscum, Dolese area supervisor, “Hector has the cleanest mixer truck in the company and has a high level of pride in keeping it maintained as a rolling billboard for Dolese. He continues to wear a variety of hats, such as CDP, loader operator, bobcat operator, relief batchman, new driver trainer, plant mechanic, delivery driver for warehouse items, Dolese block maker and laborer. When there is a need at the Yukon plant, Hector is the first one to raise his hand and resolve the issue.”
Also honored as a runner-up is 21-year veteran mixer driver Mark Nieciecki of VNCA Prairie LLC from Bridgeview, IL, driving out of Glenview, IL. Mr. Nieciecki has had a very memorable and rewarding driving career. He is an NRMCA Certified Concrete Delivery Professional, ACI certified and the 4th place finisher for NRMCA’s 2024 National Mixer Driver Championship. Wrote Prairie Materials Operations Manager Scott Linskey, “Mark’s charismatic personality and ability to motivate those he works with, whether internally or externally, further highlight his exceptional leadership qualities. His dedication to quality, expansive knowledge of ready mix, and positive attitude make him a ‘jack of all trades’ and a vital asset to our team.”
Mr. Welsh will receive a $5,000 check from the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau. As runners-up, Mr. Buz and Mr. Nieciecki will each receive a check for $1,500. The 2025 Driver of the Year winners will be honored at NRMCA’s Annual Convention held March in Tucson, AZ. The Chicago-based trade magazine Concrete Products is a co-sponsor of the NRMCA Driver of the Year program.