• Press Release

Mike O’Connor Presented with ISRI’s Safe Driver of the Year Award

Sadoff Iron & Metal driver has logged 41 years of safe driving

(Washington, DC) – At the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) 2019 Convention and Exposition, Mike O’Connor of Sadoff Iron & Metal in Fond Du Lac, WI, was presented with ISRI’s Safe Driver of the Year Award for completing 41 verifiable years of safe driving.

DriverofTheYearMichael“Mike O’Connor has more than four decades of strong, safe driving experience,” said Commodor Hall, transportation safety director for ISRI. “His track record of illustrates that safety is a core value for himself, his coworkers, and everyone else on the road around him. For his safe driving skills, and exemplarily record, ISRI is honored to present Mike O’Connor with this year’s Safe Driver Award.”

O’Connor has driven for Sadoff Iron & Metal since 1977 after he served six years in the U.S. Navy. He is a four-time winner of the Wisconsin Motor Carrier Association Presidents Safe Driving Award, and he was recognized as the 3rd place ISRI Driver of the Year for 2016, and the 2nd place ISRI Driver of the Year for 2017. In addition to his work, he has volunteered for serval positions in his community including driving a bus for Lourdes Academy in Oshkosh, WI, and serving on the St. Vincent’s Church Parish Council. In his free time, Mike spends time with his son’s family in Oshkosh and his daughter’s family in Atlanta.

“Mike is our most senior driver and continues to be an example for others to follow,” said Andy Coates, transportation service manager for Sadoff Iron & Metal. “His dedication to the company and his craft are obvious. Mike operates in a safe and efficient manner, servicing our customers with professionalism showing them why Sadoff Iron & Metal is the preferred choice in recycling.”

ISRI’s Safe Driver of the Year Award, now in its seventh year, recognizes outstanding drivers who have driven a commercial vehicle for at least 20 years without incurring a preventable accident. The award is based on the following mandatory criteria:

  • Nominations may be submitted by ISRI members in good standing.
  • Nominees must be full-time employees whose primary responsibility is to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
  • Nominees must be current employees of the nominating member company, and must be employed for at least 1 year (12 consecutive months).
  • Nominations must be made by someone familiar with the nominee’s work history, such as manager, safety director, etc.
  • No more than 3 drivers may be nominated from the same member company.
  • Nominees must meet the minimum requirement of 10 years of verifiable employment as a commercial motor vehicle driver. 

Other criteria taken into account are the driver’s contribution to highway safety (driver trainer), letters of appreciation, deeds of heroism on or off the job, and civic and fraternal organizations.

*Photo Attached. Left to right: Brian Henesey, ISRI Vice Chairman; Mike O'Connor; Dan Curran, Senior Vice President  and Underwriting Officer, AmWINS Program Underwriters)

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The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the "Voice of the Recycling Industry™." ISRI represents 1,300 companies in 20 chapters in the U.S. and more than 40 countries that process, broker, and consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics, and textiles. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute provides education, advocacy, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development. Generating nearly $117 billion annually in U.S. economic activity, the scrap recycling industry provides nearly half a million Americans with good jobs.

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