2009 Drivers of the Year

Ryder is pleased to recognize its exceptional 2009 Driver of the Year winners. Each year, the Driver of the Year program recognizes three drivers who exemplify Ryder's unwavering commitment to working and driving safely, and delivering outstanding customer service. This is the 37th year that Ryder has recognized the tradition of driver excellence.

  2009 DCC Driver of the Year - James Blackshear (Atlanta Journal Constitution - Team 3)
  2009 SCS Driver of the Year - John Hoyt (Chrysler Corporation - Team 15)

The Dedicated Contract Carriage 2009 Driver of the Year winner is James Blackshear. James 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. James 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. James was nominated by Al Pinto, Group Director and Lonzel Lakey, Senior Logistics Manager. The Atlanta Journal Constitution account is managed under the leadership of John Sonia, Vice President, Dedicated Contract Carriage.

The Supply Chain Solutions 2009 Driver of the Year winner is John Hoyt. John 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. John's multiple “Driver of the Month” awards are a testament to his commitment to safety and professionalism. Along with being a loving husband and father of two grown children, John is a respected Vietnam veteran. John was nominated by Jim Isakson, Director of Customer Logistics and Dale Tibbets, Logistics Manager. The Chrysler account is managed under the leadership of Dick Jennings, Vice President, and Tom Jones, Sr. Vice President, Supply Chain Solutions.

The Fleet Management Solutions 2009 Driver of the Year winner is Keith Suits. Keith 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, Keith 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. Keith was nominated by John Farner, Director of Operations for the Central Pennsylvania/Upstate New York Business Unit, and Jennifer O'Neil, Safety & Loss Prevention Manager. The Business Unit is managed under the leadership of Kevin Garvey, Vice President of Operations for the Northeast Region.

This year's winners were formally honored at an awards ceremony at Ryder's Headquarters.