Foltz Trucking Driver Honored as Minnesota Driver of the Year

Roger Zima, a professional truck driver for Foltz Trucking of Detroit Lakes, has been named the 2024 Minnesota Driver of the Year by the Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA).
Zima, 69, of Ogema, has driven over 4 million miles accident-free in his nearly 40-year career with Foltz Trucking. The award, presented on January 21, 2025, recognizes Zima’s outstanding driving record and his dedication to safety despite daily challenges like traffic congestion, distracted drivers, and Minnesota winters.
“Roger is a prime example of an employee that lives and breathes the core values and principles of Foltz Trucking,” said Ken Foltz, Vice President of Foltz Trucking.
Zima began his trucking career in the late 1970s and has been an owner-operator with Foltz Trucking since 1985. Reflecting on the award, Zima expressed gratitude to the company and joked, “I hope I can make it the rest of my career without a crash.”
In addition to his professional success, Zima and his wife, Laure, have been married for 40 years and raised five children. Laure, currently serving her third term as mayor of Ogema, follows a family tradition of public service.
For Zima, the recognition is a fitting milestone as he begins to consider retirement. “The pressure’s off,” he said. “The kids are out of the house, and we’ve got everything under control.”