41 Elite Local Drivers Added to UPS “Circle of Honor”

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced 41 elite drivers from Ohio are among 692 nationwide newly inducted into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving.

Ohio boasts 232 active Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 6,631 years of accident-free driving. Ron Sowder of Springboro is Ohio’s senior safe driver, with 46 years of accident-free driving, ranking first among UPS’s 112,450 drivers.

Nationwide, 4,582 active UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor. Collectively they’ve racked up 129,632 years and more than 5 billion safe miles during their careers, or the equivalent of 10,000 trips to the moon and back.

“UPS puts a premium on safe driving methods and training and these drivers reflect that commitment,” said George Brooks, president, UPS North Central Region. “I’m very proud of these drivers. To go at least a quarter of a century without an accident is a testament to how seriously our drivers, and trainers, take safety.”

Nationally, the most seasoned UPS Circle of Honor driver is Ron Sowder of UPS’s Kentucky District, with 46 years of driving without an accident. Thomas Camp of the Michigan District is next in line with 45 years of safe driving. Eight others have logged at least 40 years without an accident.

UPS’s 112,450 drivers are among the safest on the roads, logging more than 2.5 billion miles a year and averaging less than one accident for every million miles driven. There are 4050 total UPS drivers in Ohio.

UPS has invested approximately $53 million in 2008 on safety training and employs its own comprehensive driving course called “Space and Visibility.” New UPS tractor-trailer drivers receive 80 hours of classroom and on-the-road training, and UPS delivery truck drivers receive 20 hours of classroom and on-the-road defensive driving training before operating equipment. Delivery drivers also are required to complete three safety ride evaluations during their first 22 days on the job.

Founded in 1907, UPS has a rich history of safety and training. The company issued its first driver handbook in 1917 and began recognizing safe drivers in 1923. In 1928, UPS recognized its first five-year safe driver, Ray McCue, with UPS founder Jim Casey presenting him a gold and platinum watch. UPS formally established the Circle of Honor in 1955.

More information on UPS’s commitment to safety is available at www.pressroom.ups/safety.

Following is a list of drivers in Ohio inducted this year into the Circle of Honor with 25 years of safe driving.

Work Center		Driver		Residence
Toledo		David Black		Swanton, OH
Toledo		Mark Dybala		Maumee, OH
Toledo		Steven Galloway		Toledo, OH
Toledo		Mark Roberts		Holland, OH
Sharonville		Ralph Bole		Cincinnati, OH
West Carrollton		Deborah Casenhiser		Centerville, OH
Dayton		Donald Geise		New Lebanon, OH
West Carrollton		Derik King		Miamisburg, OH
Ashland		Randy Quillen		Ironton, OH
Sharonville		David Reed		Mason, OH
Obetz		Michael Artis		Reynoldsburg, OH
Brilliant		Berul Calabrese		Bloomingdale, OH
Columbus		William Church		Reynoldsburg, OH
Columbus		Joseph Cordi		Westerville, OH
Mansfield		Wayne Courtright		Mansfield, OH
Columbus		John Cropper		Columbus, OH
Columbus		Mark Donalson		Hilliard, OH
Zanesville		Stephen Hansel		Zanesville, OH
Piqua		Don Hoops		Ludlow Falls, OH
Columbus		Steve Morgan		Zanesville, OH
Columbus		Richard Piper		St. Paris, OH
Marion		Lee Wilson		Mt Gilead, OH
Obetz		Harris Windsor		Columbus, OH
Austinburg		Jerry Arp		Austinburg, OH
Fremont Center		Norman Blymyer		Tiffin, OH
Middleburg Heights		Ronald Evans		Youngstown, OH
Cleveland E68 Main Bldg		Douglas Fore		Parma, OH
Akron		Richard Hasson		Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Cleveland E68 Main Bldg		Richard Hojnowski		Parma, OH
Middleburg Heights		James Jakubs		Bay Village, OH
Middleburg Heights		Jack Kerekes		Parma, OH
New Philadelphia		Fred Liberatore		New Philadelphia, OH
Middleburg Heights		Steve Mealer		Wadsworth, OH
Middleburg Heights		David Paul		Berea, OH
Middleburg Heights		Roger Perry		Granger Twnsp, OH
Akron		Paul Phelps		Akron, OH
Highland Heights Hub		John Pincombe		Brunswick, OH
Middleburg Heights		Mark Pribanic		Cleveland, OH
Middleburg Heights		Edwin Sovol		North Royalton, OH
Middleburg Heights		Ronald Tehoke		Parma, OH
Highland Heights Hub		Alan Wojciechowicz		Willoughby, OH

UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services. With more than a century of experience in transportation and logistics, UPS is a leading global trade expert equipped with a broad portfolio of solutions. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the Web at UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.