Howard Ronken, Midwest Specialized Transportation Inc., Rochester, Minn., has been named Truck Driver of the Year by the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA).

Over 44 years, Ronken has driven more than 4.2 million commercial miles, and maintained an outstanding safety record. He began his career in 1955 at the age of 15, driving a straight truck for farmers in Spring Valley, Minn. At 17, he started driving semis for Woodrich Construction, hauling iron ore for the Hanna Mining Co.
He continued to drive for two years after graduating from Spring Valley High School. In May 1960, Ronken enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving as an electronic countermeasures technician until being honorably discharged in 1964.
His long, continuing relationship with Midwest Specialized Transportation began in February 1974. Within the Midwest System, Ronken is described as “nothing less than a true professional.” He earned the Minnesota Trucking Association’s Driver of the Month Award in December 2005.
Midwest Specialized Transportation, founded in 1967, delivers specialized transportation services ranging from construction equipment and cryogenic tanks to time sensitive printed materials.