By SALINA POST
OCCK Transportation has announced its 2021 Driver Safety Recognition Award winners.
Thirty-seven drivers with a combined 166 plus years of safe driving were recognized, according to information from OCCK Transportation.
The program was developed to "distinguish and honor OCCK Transportation drivers who have proven their skill in avoiding accidents and consistently perform their jobs in a safe and efficient manner. Recipients exemplify professional driver standards and a commitment to safety," OCCK Transportation noted in a news release.
Those drivers recognized include the following.
One year
Amanda Coon, Garry Ginn, Dianna Graham, Stacy Greenwood, and Ernest Wilcher
Two years
Callahan, Ricki Elliott, Kim Klucas, Doug Olson, Shirley Stockdale, and Kay Tappendick
Three years
Christina Burch, Gerald Funk, Leslie Greenemeyer, Scott Poulton, Leon Swanson and Melinda Wolfe
Four years
James Bean, Don Burns, Tawnie Heard, Elizabeth McCormick, Timmy Morris, Clark Shenk, Dennis Smith, and Mark Stokes
Five years
Paula Downie
Six years
Terrell Green, Shelley Hanchett, and Trudy Morton
Eight years
Debbie Dragoo and Susan McMahan
Nine years
Jason Tieking
Ten years
Rena Bishop, Tim Dickinson, Paula Stark and Daniele Whitaker
Eleven years
Larry Holmgren
"This program was created as authorized by the National Safety Council (NSC) Safe Driver Program. The NSC Safe Driver Awards are the recognized trademark of professional drivers who have proven their skills in avoiding accidents. They are the highest honor for professional safe driving performance. This program recognizes the number of years each eligible driver has worked without incident," OCCK Transportation noted.
OCCK provides transportation services to the general public, seniors, and persons with disabilities, through a variety of programs, including CityGo in Salina, a regional paratransit service that serves 14 counties, non emergency medical transportation for people with Medicaid, as well as non emergency medical transportation for clients of Salina Regional Health Center, 81 Connection, KANcycle regional bike sharing program, City of Abilene public transportation, KanConnect regional fixed route, and GoConcordia, the newest program.