AMTA honors Tench with 2025 Driver of the Year award

James ‘Jim’ Tench pays close attention to detail and has always worked as though someone’s watching him.

The Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) has been keeping an eye on the Flying J Canada Transport driver and named him its 2025 Driver of the Year.

The veteran fuel hauler, 65, trained as a pipe welder in his native United Kingdom decades ago. Inspectors checked everything and x-rayed his work. “You just do things right, do things safely,” he told TruckNews.com.

People standing at on a stage
James ‘Jim’ Tench, center, was named AMTA’s 2025 Driver of the Year in Edmonton. (Photo: Leo Barros)

Tench, AMTA’s November 2024 Driver of the Month, said that he was extremely honored to be recognized in the twilight of his career.

He acknowledged his father and grandfather, who were both truck drivers, paying tribute to them for paving the path for him.

People standing on a stage.
Dave Davis, second from right, was named AMTA’s Safety Person of the Year. (Photo: Leo Barros)

The AMTA recognized several other people for their contributions to the province’s commercial transportation industry during a ceremony in Edmonton on April 9. They include:

  • Dave Davis, Enmax – Safety Person of the Year
  • Tim Bennett, Barnhart Crane & Rigging – Dean Paisley Service to Industry Award
  • Tim Lai, Kal Tire – Supplier Award
  • Clarence Shields, Blackjacks Roadhouse – Friend to Industry Award
  • Greg Sokil – Historical Award
  • Chris Plante – Don Achtemichuk Volunteer Service Award
  • Cliff Litke, AMTA – AMTA Excellence in Member Service Award
  • Andrew Barnes, AMTA – AMTA Core Value Award

“I would like to congratulate our 2025 award recipients,” Robert Harper, AMTA president said in a news release. “We have a group that exemplify the work it takes to maintain a safe and innovative industry. I truly admire the efforts made to keep Alberta on the move.”