Bismarck, North Dakota — Veteran commercial driver Joe Mondor earned the title of North Dakota’s 2023 Truck Driver of the Year during the 79th annual North Dakota Motor Carriers Association convention. The North Dakota Highway Patrol sponsors this annual recognition to honor career-long safety records and strong cooperation between professional drivers and state law enforcement officers.
Mondor spent 33 years building an exemplary career on the nation's highways, starting out with Johnson Farms before spending the last 17 years hauling freight for Altendorf Express. Over decades of navigating tough northern weather and demanding delivery schedules, Mondor logged an astounding 4.5 million accident-free miles. That level of dedication represents the gold standard for any OTR truck driver navigating heavy traffic and tight deadlines.
The convention also highlighted the vital working relationship between commercial carriers and enforcement agencies by presenting the Trooper of the Year award. Myles Sunby, a Grand Forks-based motor carrier operations trooper with the North Dakota Highway Patrol, received this year's accolade. Alongside his official duties keeping highways safe, Sunby volunteers heavily with the Special Olympics North Dakota Truck Convoy and maintains local community grounds.
What This Means for Drivers
Reaching 4.5 million safe miles proves that long-term career longevity and spotless safety records are entirely possible in this profession, even through harsh winters. CDL-A holders and owner-operators looking at Mondor's track record see the exact standard that top-tier trucking companies hiring today look for in applicants. Maintaining strict compliance with FMCSA regulations while handling millions of miles requires absolute focus, top-tier route planning, and unyielding personal discipline behind the wheel.
Industry Reaction
State trucking associations and enforcement divisions consistently use events like the NDMCA convention to highlight drivers who keep supply chains moving without sacrificing safety. Professional truck driver jobs that demand decades of commitment rely heavily on veterans like Mondor mentoring the next generation of operators. Recognizing drivers who put safety first reinforces the core values that keep commercial transport running smoothly across the country.
Key Points
- Joe Mondor named North Dakota's 2023 Truck Driver of the Year at the 79th annual NDMCA convention.
- Mondor accumulated over 4.5 million accident-free miles across a 33-year professional driving career.
- He spent his early career with Johnson Farms and logged his last 17 years driving for Altendorf Express.
- Trooper Myles Sunby received the Trooper of the Year award for his highway enforcement and community work.
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