Ryder Names Top Drivers Of The Year
MIAMI, March 30, 2010 ­ For the 37th 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 120 years of safe, professional driving experience.
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.”
Keith Suits has been named Driver of the Year for Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions business segment. Mr. Suits drives for Ryder customer, Rite Aid Corporation, out of Rome, New York. He has been employed by Rite Aid for 12 years and has driven 2.9 million collision- and violation-free miles over his 32-year professional driving career. In addition to receiving a number of previous safety accolades from Ryder, Mr. Suits has been recognized as a Driver of the Year by the New York State Motor Truck Association, and was named the American Trucking Associations 2009 National Driver of the Year. Along with his passion for truck driving, Keith has maintained his childhood fascination with farm tractors and continues to enjoy riding them on the Camden, New York farm that has been in his family for seven generations.
John Hoyt has been named Driver of the Year for Ryder’s Supply Chain Solutions business segment. Mr. Hoyt drives for Ryder’s Chrysler account based in Orlando, Florida. He has driven 1.4 million collision- and violation-free miles during his 21 years with Ryder and a total of three million collision- and violation-free miles over the course of his impressive 51-year professional driving career. Mr. Hoyt’s multiple “Driver of the Month” awards from Ryder are a testament to his commitment to safety and professionalism. Along with being a loving husband and father of two grown children, Mr. Hoyt is also a respected Vietnam veteran.
James Blackshear has been named Driver of the Year for Ryder’s Dedicated Contract Carriage business segment. Mr. Blackshear drives for the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper account, out of Norcross, Georgia. He has been with Ryder for six years, and during his 37-year professional driving career he has driven over 2.3 million miles without a collision, violation or injury. Mr. Blackshear is known for being dedicated, responsible and hard working, and gives back to the community by serving as a Minister for his local church. He is also a veteran of the Vietnam War and was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he received in combat.
The three drivers were honored at a recent award 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, was on hand to personally congratulate the honorees.
“It takes hard work, strong character, and an unwavering commitment to safety and customer service in order to be successful as a professional driver,” said Greg Swienton. “This year’s Driver of the Year winners truly represent the best of the best in our industry.”
About Ryder
Ryder provides leading-edge transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Ryder’s stock (NYSE: R) is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Ryder ranks 399th on the Fortune 500. For more information on Ryder System, Inc., visit www.ryder.com.