Ryder System, Inc. recently presented its 42nd annual Driver of the Year Award to three professionals who, combined, have 92 years and nearly seven million miles of safe driving experience. The three winners are:
Arthur Crowell is the Driver of the Year winner for Ryder SCS. Ryder SCS drivers are responsible for delivering customer product in a timely and efficient manner. Crowell drives for Ryder customer Bimbo Bakeries USA’s fleet, based in Meridian, Miss. He has driven nearly 700,000 collision-free miles during his six years with Ryder and a total of 2.4 million collision-free miles over the course of his 34-year professional driving career.
Danny Daniels is the Driver of the Year winner for Ryder Dedicated. Ryder Dedicated drivers are responsible for operating specialized equipment, managing unique product handling, running complex routes, and meeting rigorous service level requirements. Daniels drives for Alro Steel based in Dayton, Ohio. He has worked for Ryder for 25 years, and during his 31-year career, he has driven more than 2.7 million miles.
Craig Thornburg is the Driver of the Year winner for Ryder FMS. He drives for Veritiv Corporation, a Ryder customer, in Downey, Calif. Thornburg has been employed by Veritiv or its predecessor companies for more than 18 years and has driven 1.1 million collision-free miles over his 27-year career. During that time Thornburg has never missed a day of work.
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 review process by a committee that includes Ryder customers, executives, safety experts and other professional drivers. Recipients are inducted into the Ryder “Driver Hall of Fame” and presented with a five-day Caribbean cruise, a cash award, and a specially designed ring and watch.
“Professional truck drivers are the backbone of commerce, delivering the products businesses and consumers need when and where they want them,” said Robert Sanchez, Ryder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The top drivers we honor this year are true leaders and examples of what it means to be committed to safety and customer service. We thank them for their tremendous hard work, dedication, and work ethic that all contribute to making Ryder and our customers ever better.”
