Ryder System Inc. has recognized three of its drivers who – combined – have driven nearly nine million accident- and violation-free miles with more than 80 years of combined professional driving experience.

One of the company's most prestigious recognition programs, the "Driver of the Year" award honors those drivers who have demonstrated exemplary safety performance, customer service and citizenship throughout their careers. The top awards this year were presented to two drivers employed by Ryder and a customer-employed driver for one of Ryder's Fleet Management Solutions accounts.
Each recipient received a five-day-four night cruise to the Bahamas, a trophy, and induction into the Ryder "Driver Hall of Fame."
David Ellis was named Driver of the Year 2003 for Ryder's Supply Chain Solutions business segment. Based in Highland Park, Mich., Ellis has served the General Motors account since 1998 in its inbound assembly division. He has been a Ryder employee for more than seven years and during his tenure, he has driven 575,000 miles of his more than 2,575,000 collision- and violation-free-miles in his 25-year career.
Leon King was named Driver of the Year 2003 for Ryder's Dedicated Contract Carriage business segment. King is based in Springfield, Mass. location and has been a Dedicated Contract Carriage driver for seven of his 19 years with Ryder, serving the Rand-Whitney account.
He has exceeded 4.5 million collision- and violation-free-miles since he began driving professionally in 1972.
Charles Spence was named Ryder's Fleet Management Solutions Driver of the Year 2003. Spence has worked with Ryder as a member of McLane Foodservice since 1993, located in the Portland, Ore. facility.
Throughout his 23-year career, he has logged more than 1,600,000 collision- and violation-free-miles. This award marks the fifth time Spence has been recognized by Ryder for exemplary driver safety.
For more information about the Miami-based firm, visit www.ryder.com.