In a remarkable display of dedication and safety, Greg Swift, a longtime driver for Schneider National, Inc., has achieved an extraordinary milestone: five million miles without a preventable accident.
Although more than 6,560 Schneider drivers have had at least a million safe driving miles with the company, Swift joins only two other drivers in Schneider’s nearly 90-year history in reaching this incredible feat. Today, Swift will cross the ceremonial five millionth mile at Schneider’s corporate headquarters in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The company is recognizing Swift’s achievement with a parade, Sound the Horn celebration – a long-standing tradition of sounding a truck horn inside the headquarters building to celebrate achievements – and a $10,000 bonus for his safe and reliable driving (that’s in addition to the years of additional performance pay Swift has earned for his driving record).
“Reaching five million miles seemed unimaginable," Swift said. "It’s an immense honor to be recognized and to be part of a company that equips us to succeed. Safety is the key to long-term success.”
Swift, who began his career with Schneider 33 years ago after leaving his teaching job, has become an example of the company’s core value: Safety First and Always. Currently driving a dedicated route for longtime Schneider customer Georgia-Pacific, he appreciates the reliability and home time his role provides.
“We are in the service business, and professional drivers like Greg are the foundation of our success,” said Schneider President and CEO Mark Rourke. “Drivers who dedicate their careers to safety, who put their customers first and for whom excellence is non-negotiable, leave a legacy for others to follow. Greg is one of those drivers, and I’m grateful he’s been an integral part of our team for so long.”
Swift’s journey from paper maps to advanced GPS and collision mitigation systems highlights the industry’s evolution. Yet, one constant has been Schneider’s commitment to providing the best equipment, technology and processes to ensure driver safety.
“I think the five million miles has done more than just boost my career,” said Swift. “It’s taken my home life, financial life and overall wellbeing to new levels. With a great career and the miles I’ve driven, great things have come along with it.”
Swift offers simple, yet valuable advice to new drivers: plan ahead and manage your time efficiently. His career highlights include driving through stunning landscapes and witnessing infrastructure improvements, but meeting his wife Erica, also a Schneider associate, stands out as a personal milestone.
When asked about Greg’s successful career at Schneider, Erica said, “If Greg could go back in time, he would absolutely choose a career in trucking over and over again. Schneider has provided us both with an immense amount of opportunities and memorable experiences. I am beyond proud of Greg as the third ever driver to reach five million safe miles.”
