Ryder System presented its annual "Driver of the Year" awards to three professionals who, combined, have driven more than 8 million injury-free miles and have more than 96 years of professional driving experience.
The award honors drivers who have demonstrated exemplary safety performance, customer service and citizenship throughout their careers. Each recipient received a five-day cruise to the Bahamas and Key West, a trophy, a specially designed ring and watch, and will be inducted into the Ryder "Driver Hall of Fame."
Robert Parker was named 2007 Driver of the Year for Ryder's Supply Chain Solutions business segment. He has been a Ryder employee for 20 years and serves Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky in Georgetown, Ky. During his 34-year career as a professional driver, Parker has logged more than 3.4 million collision- and violation-free miles. He also serves on the Toyota team's Safety Committee and has assisted as a trainer for new drivers joining the Toyota account.
Kathy Overbay was named 2007 Driver of the Year for Ryder's Dedicated Contract Carriage business segment. Overbay, Ryder's first female Driver of the Year, drives for the CVS/pharmacy account in Orlando, Fla. She has been a driver with CVS/pharmacy for 27 years, and became part of the Ryder team when their business was awarded to Ryder just over two years ago. She has driven over 1.2 million collision- and violation-free miles over the course of her 27-year driving career. She has previously received Ryder's Team Driver of the Year award and is an authorized Highway Watch driver and a certified Smith System trainer.
Charles Firman was named Ryder's Fleet Management Solutions 2007 Driver of the Year. He is a professional driver for Ryder customer MBM Corporation in Aberdeen, Md., where he has worked for the past 18 years. In his 35 years as a professional driver, Firman has logged over 3.5 million safe miles.
The three drivers, accompanied by family members and business associates, were honored at a luncheon banquet held in their honor near Ryder's headquarters in Miami. Ryder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Swienton, accompanied by key Ryder executives and the drivers' local managers, were on hand to personally congratulate the honorees.
Ryder Names 2007 Drivers of the Year 
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