- Three Honorees Represent 117 Years and More Than 10 Million Miles
of Safe Driving -
MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
For the 39th 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 117 years and more than 10 million miles of safe,
professional driving experience.
Ryder Driver of the Year Winners: James Estepp, Terry Elliot, James Hendrix (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 customers, executives, safety experts, and
professional drivers. 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, specially designed ring and watch, and
will be inducted into the Ryder “Driver Hall of Fame.”
James Estepp has been selected as Ryder’s Supply Chain Solutions Driver
of the Year. Mr. Estepp drives for Ryder’s General Motors Customer Care
and Aftersales account based in Roanoke, Texas. In addition to remaining
injury free, he has driven 2.5 million preventable collision- and
violation-free miles during his 22 years with Ryder and a total of 3
million preventable collision- and violation-free miles over the course
of his impressive 36-year professional driving career. Mr. Estepp has
also been recently selected as the Truck Rental and Leasing
Association’s 2012 Driver of the Year, a tremendous industry honor.
James Hendrix has been selected as Ryder’s Dedicated Contract Carriage
Driver of the Year. Mr. Hendrix drives for Ryder’s AT&T account based
out of Suwanee, Georgia. He has been with Ryder for 16 years, and during
his 42-year professional driving career he has driven over 2 million
miles without a preventable collision, violation, or injury. Mr.
Hendrix’s talent and commitment to safety is evident through his
multiple “Driver of the Month” awards and a first place trophy received
after successfully competing in a Professional Driving Championship.
Terry Elliot has been named Driver of the Year for Ryder’s Fleet
Management Solutions business segment. Mr. Elliot drives for Ryder
customer, Allens, Inc., out of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He has been
employed by Allens, Inc. for 33 years and has driven 5.6 million
collision- and violation-free miles over his 39-year professional
driving career. In addition to receiving a number of previous safety
accolades from Ryder, Mr. Elliot has served as a mentor and trainer to
younger drivers. He was also in the U.S. Navy and proudly served our
country in the Vietnam War.
The three drivers were honored at a recent awards ceremony held 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 exemplify an
unwavering commitment to working and driving safely, and delivering
outstanding service. These drivers have a tremendous responsibility to
deliver for customers while ensuring the safety of their coworkers and
the communities where they operate. Achieving millions of safe miles
over the course of such established, long careers is a testament to our
winners’ dedication to getting the right results, the right way, at work
and on the road.”
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 included Ryder in its 2010
and 2011 “Green Partners” listing. Ryder also ranked 114 out of the top
500 U.S. companies and sixth in its industry sector in the 2010 Newsweek
Green Rankings. 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.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50215251&lang=en
Source: Ryder System, Inc.