Lytx Highlights Today's Top Drivers and Coaches in 12th Annual Awards Program

Lytx's 2025 Driver and Coach of the Year Winners Celebrated for Their Industry-Leading Skillsets and Commitment to Fleet Safety  

SAN DIEGO, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lytx^® Inc., the industry icon of video and safety-driven efficiency, today announced the winners of the 2025 Driver and Coach of the Year awards and shared their positive impact on today's roadways. Implementing Lytx's best-in-class fleet safety solutions, each honoree showcased their commitment to excellence and exceptional performance.

The program this year received a record number of nominations, the highest in its 12-year history and a 30% increase over 2024.

"We are honored and heartened to have received so many incredible nominations this year," said Jeff Martin, Lytx's VP of Global Sales Strategy. "Every individual who was nominated showed genuine and abiding commitment to the safety in their community. We are grateful for their vigilance in helping to ensure that every journey ends with a safe return."

"These inspiring individuals illustrate the powerful dynamic between drivers and coaches, and the lasting benefits that coaching methods such as positive recognition and in-person conversations can have," Martin continued.

The 2025 award recipients were nominated by their peers and managers, and Lytx selected winners based on their outstanding work in the fields of Services/Utilities, Transit/Motor Coach, For-Hire Trucking, Private Truck Fleet/Distribution, and Waste/Construction.

For more on Lytx's 2025 Driver and Coach of the Year awards, go here.

**Winners – 2025 Drivers of the Year**

Services / Utilities (Drivers)
First-Place Winner – Jerry Fitzgerald (Rottler Pest Solutions)
Jerry showed exceptional commitment to safety throughout 2024, maintaining a spotless record for the entire year. He actively supports other drivers by offering guidance and sharing best practices, while emphasizing the importance of safe driving and the positive company image it projects. In his spare time, Jerry is heavily involved in his local church program to bring the community together during the holiday season, further demonstrating his positive approach and strong commitment to serving others.
Second Place – Jeff Weaver (AmeriGas Propane)
Third Place – Clark Christianson (Give and Go Express, Inc.)

Transit / Motor Coach (Drivers)
First-Place Winner – Julie Greene (Salter Transportation)
As a school bus driver in the New England area for 26 years, Julie is one of the safest and most respected drivers in the Salter family. She has zero preventable accidents, only three absences during her entire 26-year tenure at the company and regularly receives cards and drawings from students she takes to (and from) school. When asked about the importance of her job and why she enjoys it, Julie shared, "We carry the most precious cargo, we are needed, and we make a difference in a child's life every day."
Second Place – Donjaray Baker (Transdev Chicago PACE)
Third Place – Ivette Calderon (Hendrickson Bus, Beacon Mobility)

For-Hire Trucking (Drivers)
First-Place Winner – Roland G. Esquibel (Ryder System, INC.)
Roland received Ryder's "2024 Driver of the Year" award and has had no accidents in his four years at Ryder. With his previous employer, he went nine years without an accident. His manager remarked that Roland consistently performs his job at the highest level and always goes above and beyond expectations. As a United States Army veteran, church volunteer, and more, Roland notes, "My parents taught me about working hard, being honest, and to treat people the way you want to be treated."
Second Place – Bishal Sutti (HUB Group)
Third Place – Michael Whitehurst Jr. (UPS)

Private Truck Fleet / Distribution (Drivers)
First-Place Winner – David Todosciuk (River Valley Ingredients – Tyson Foods)
During his 31+ years of driving for RVI/Tyson Foods, David has been recognized as a 1-, 2-, and 3-million-mile driver and is one of the most respected drivers on the team. He is a constant mentor to his fellow drivers and is a strong advocate for the Lytx system, sharing his knowledge of the technology and helping others embrace the safety tool. When talking about his approach to safety, David said, "I work to anticipate what the future may hold in every mile, and I maintain a positive outlook when discussing the system and our everyday traffic experiences."
Second Place – Jacques Allen (Imperial Dade)
Third Place – Ryan Thorne (Kwik Trip, Inc.)

Waste / Construction (Drivers)
First-Place Winner – Freddy Thomas (Waste Connections)
Freddy is the 2024 Eastern Region Driver of the Year for Waste Connections and has maintained an impeccable safety record with no accidents or risky behaviors for over six years. He is a dedicated and compassionate individual who contributes to his community by mentoring at-risk and troubled youth, as well as assisting the elderly with essential tasks such as attending doctor's appointments, grocery shopping, and managing their bills. Freddy is committed to safety on and off the job and added, "By consistently doing the right thing, I gain peace of mind knowing that I've taken every precaution to avoid potential hazards."
Second Place – Chris Foley (MANATT'S, INC.)
Third Place – Hector Buz (Dolese Bros Co)

**Winners – 2025 Coaches of the Year**

Services / Utilities (Coaches)
First-Place Winner – Melissa Noe (Dycom Industries, Inc.)
Melissa's coaching effectiveness in 2024 was an impressive 84%, with a total of 4,932 coached events. Her hard work, dedication, and attention to detail helped lower Dycom's preventable accident rate by 44% from 2023 to 2024. When asked about her coaching philosophy, Melissa shared, "I approach every interaction with professionalism and courtesy, understanding that respect and clear communication are essential to building strong relationships and maintaining a positive work environment."
Second Place – James Martin (Ranger Energy Services, LLC)
Third Place – Manny Fimbres (Allied University Security)

Transit / Motor Coach (Coaches)
First-Place Winner – Alphonso Burns (Transdev)
As a Safety Manager at Transdev for over five years, Alphonso earned the "Million Mile Safety Certificate" from the company in 2021 and was instrumental in increasing their coaching effectiveness from 69% in January 2024 to 85% in December 2024. His success stems from his unwavering commitment to developing his team and creating a culture of collaboration. Commenting on this, Alphonso added, "By incorporating team-building activities and fostering a collaborative environment, I aim to inspire professionalism, courtesy, and a shared commitment to excellence across the team."
Second Place – Candy Stodden (Kansas Central School Bus Company)
Third Place – Suzanna Marie Trevino (Mr. Greens Produce)

For-Hire Trucking (Coaches)
First-Place Winner – Parminder Choumwer (UPS)
Parminder completed several coaching-related courses that helped shape his mindset and enabled him to train team members to the highest standards in the industry. He cares deeply about the health and safety of his drivers and uses Lytx's coaching tools to address and reward behaviors through targeted coaching and consistent follow-ups. During these sessions, Parminder shared that "meaningful conversations foster a sense of care and appreciation for our employee's efforts, demonstrating that communication is key to understanding."
Second Place – Shane Patterson (Melton Truck Lines, Inc.)
Third Place – Amber Gromis (J.B. Hunt Transportation)

Private Truck Fleet / Distribution (Coaches)
First-Place Winner – Emily Wolford (Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling – Bay City, MI)
Emily drives continuous improvement throughout the year, and her effective approach to coaching has resulted in a dramatic reduction in risk potential and coachable events. An avid believer in using recognition to motivate performance, Emily shared that "over the course of 2024, I proudly handed out 230 Lytx Safety Recognition certificates to recognize the tremendous safety efforts put forth by our drivers." She has a long history in using technology to improve performance. In 2020, Emily won the company's DriveCam Coach of the Year award for the Michigan Market Unit for her unparalleled ability to prioritize safety within her Distribution department.
Second Place – Dylan West (Keystops LLC)
Third Place – James Dowd (ABARTA Coca-Cola)

Waste / Construction (Coaches)
First-Place Winner – Neil Rivers (Stericycle)
From 2023 to 2024, Neil's coaching strategies and tactics have helped reduce nine of the top 10 risky behaviors within his driver group. He is a safety advocate both on and off the job and attends practices for the Andover Girls Traveling Basketball team as a safety coach and first responder for medical emergencies. Encouraging collaboration, valuing the team's contributions, and caring about his driver's well-being, Neil stated, "I genuinely care about the safety of others and strive to ensure that we all make the right and safe choices."
Second Place – Shelley Krantz (Vulcan Materials Company)
Third Place – Ed Ziegler (MANATT'S, INC.)

About Lytx
Lytx is a global leader in video safety and video telematics. Our solutions harness the power of video to empower drivers and fleets to be safer and more efficient, productive, and profitable so they can thrive in today's competitive environment. Through the Lytx Vision™ Platform, direct and reseller clients access our customizable services and programs spanning fleet safety, risk detection, fleet tracking, ELD compliance, preventative maintenance, and fuel management. Using the world's largest driving database of its kind, along with proprietary machine vision and artificial intelligence technology, we help protect and connect thousands of fleets and 3.4 million drivers in more than 85 countries. For more information about Lytx, visit www.lytx.com, @lytx on X, LinkedIn, our Facebook page, or our YouTube channel.

Contact:
Jason Andersen
corpcomm@lytx.com 

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SOURCE Lytx, Inc.