Randy House, Al Beck and Harvey Zander have been named 2008 Contractors of the Year by Dart Transit.

Dart contractors are chosen from the company's contractors of the month.

House, who serves at Dart's Dallas Operating Center, contracted his truck with Dart in 2005. He boasts more than half a million miles with no accidents. "Randy is a true professional who successfully manages his business and provides excellent service to shipping customers," said Jennifer Dotson, operations manager.

Beck has been with Dart for 24 years and is contracted out of the Eagan Operating Center. He has received several safety awards in the industry, including the 20-year Truck Trophy and the National Safety Council's Three Million Mile Safety Award.

Beck spends his free time volunteering for Minnesota's "World's Largest Truck Convoy," which raises money for Special Olympics athletes, and the Minnesota Trucking Association's "Take a Break for Safety" event. He's also actively involved in "Trucks and Traveling Machines," an exhibit of truck-related equipment called, and he also provides truck transportation for bicycles in the MS TRAM Bike Tour.

Zander also hails from the Eagan Operating Center, where he has been contracted for 29 years. He was honored with the National Safety Council's Five Million Mile Safety Award, and placed first in the Truckload Carriers Association's Independent Contractor of the Year contest twice.

As a Trucker Buddy since 1997, Zander enjoys teaching "How to share the road with big trucks" to driver's education students. He also participates in Minnesota's "World's Largest Truck Convoy."

The three were honored at receptions, each receiving a marble trophy, a $1,000 check and personalized leather jacket.