Ryder Names Top Drivers of the Year

Mar 22, 2011

- Three Honorees Combine to Represent 101 Years of Safe Driving -

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For the 38th consecutive year, Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a leader in transportation and supply chain management solutions, recognized the tradition of driver excellence by presenting its annual “Driver of the Year” awards to three professionals who, combined, have 101 years of safe, professional driving experience.

Ryder’s 2010 Driver of the Year Winners (from left to right): John Stotts, for Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions business segment; Coy Bean, for Ryder’s Supply Chain Solutions business segment; and Melvin Cairns, for Ryder’s Dedicated Contract Carriage business segment. (Photo: Business Wire)

One of the Company’s most prestigious recognition programs, the “Driver of the Year” award honors drivers who have demonstrated exemplary safety performance, customer service and citizenship throughout their careers. Honorees are selected after a rigorous review process by a committee that includes Ryder executives, safety experts, professional drivers, and Ryder customers. The top awards this year were presented to two drivers employed by Ryder and a driver employed by one of Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions customers. Each recipient received a five-day Caribbean cruise, cash award, trophy, specially designed ring and watch, and will be inducted into the Ryder “Driver Hall of Fame.”

John Stotts has been named Driver of the Year for Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions business segment. Mr. Stotts drives for Ryder customer, The New Bakery Company of Ohio, Inc., out of Zanesville, Ohio. He has been employed by The New Bakery Company of Ohio for 27 years and has driven 3.7 million collision- and violation-free miles over his 38-year professional driving career. In addition to receiving a number of previous safety accolades from Ryder, John has been recognized by his employer with a Driver of the Year nomination for the Ohio Trucking Association. He is active on the board of his local church, and he proudly served our country in the Vietnam War.

Coy Bean has been named Driver of the Year for Ryder’s Supply Chain Solutions business segment. Mr. Bean drives for Ryder’s Honda Transportation account based in Rainbow City, Ala. He has driven 1.75 million collision- and violation-free miles during his 20 years with Ryder and a total of 3.75 million collision- and violation-free miles over the course of his impressive 41-year professional driving career. Mr. Bean’s multiple “Driver of the Month” and safe driving awards are a testament to his commitment to safety and professionalism.

Melvin Cairns has been named Driver of the Year for Ryder’s Dedicated Contract Carriage business segment. Mr. Cairns drives for the Florida Power & Light account based out of West Palm Beach, Fla., and has been with Ryder for 10 years. During his 22-year professional driving career, he has driven over 1.8 million miles without a collision or injury. Melvin is known for being dedicated, responsible and hard working, and gives back to the community by operating a special needs ministry in his local church and administering a charity organization for autistic children.

The three drivers were honored at a recent awards ceremony held in their honor at Ryder’s headquarters in Miami. Ryder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Swienton, accompanied by key Ryder executives and the drivers’ local managers, personally congratulated the honorees.

Greg Swienton commented, “Our Driver of the Year winners don’t just deliver excellent performance in the year they are selected. These drivers have a long track record of being hard working, safety-conscious, customer-focused, and community-minded over the course of their entire careers. John, Coy, and Melvin truly represent the best of the best in our industry.”

About Ryder

Ryder is a FORTUNE 500® commercial transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions company. Ryder’s stock (NYSE: R) is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Inbound Logistics magazine has recognized Ryder as the top third party logistics provider, and Security magazine has named Ryder one of the top companies for security practices in the transportation, logistics, supply chain, and warehousing sector. Ryder is a proud member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, supporting national and local disaster preparedness and response efforts. For more information on Ryder System, Inc., visit www.ryder.com.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements and information included in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including those risks set forth in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risks on our business. Accordingly, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

NOTE TO EDITOR: Please see the attached photo.

CAPTION: Ryder’s 2010 Driver of the Year Winners (from left to right): John Stotts, for Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions business segment; Coy Bean, for Ryder’s Supply Chain Solutions business segment; and Melvin Cairns, for Ryder’s Dedicated Contract Carriage business segment.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6656052&lang=en

 

Source: Ryder System, Inc.