Ryder Maintenance Technician Wade Robinson named 2021 “Top Tech;” Wins $50,000 Prize at 20th Annual Top Technician Competition

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a leader in supply chain, dedicated transportation, and commercial fleet management solutions, today announces it has awarded Wade Robinson the title of 2021 Ryder Top Technician and a $50,000 cash grand prize. The Ryder Top Technician (“Top Tech”) Recognition Program hosted its 20^th annual competition at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ryder’s annual Top Tech incentive week and grand prize showcase the value Ryder places on its technicians. The skills competition highlights the importance of technical training for ensuring the quality maintenance of more than 235,000 vehicles in the Ryder fleet. More than 5,400 U.S. and Canada-based Ryder technicians were eligible to be entered into the competition to be measured on their technical training qualifications, diagnostic knowledge and skills, and quality workmanship.

“The dedication Wade has demonstrated to his craft is inspiring, and is a clear example of why our customers rely on Ryder to provide unparalleled customer service and vehicle uptime they can trust,” says Ryder Chairman and CEO Robert Sanchez. “Ryder technicians lay the foundation for us to deliver the best service in the industry, and this competition is my favorite way to recognize their indisputable skills and raise the bar for future technicians.”

Mr. Robinson, along with this year’s eight other finalists, advanced through three demanding rounds of written tests and hands-on skills competitions to compete for the top honor in the North American Championship Round. The top competing finalists, in addition to Mr. Robinson, were as follows:

• Robert Cooper - Charlotte, NC
• Whes Fulkerson - Tampa, FL
• Rick Grivel - Phoenix, AZ
• Danny Harrison - Orlando, FL
• Cody Morris - Hebron, KY
• Rich Rodammer - Flint, MI
• Warren Smith - Putnam, Ontario
• Micah Talbitzer - Portland, OR

Ryder Top Tech finalists Rick Grivel, and Warren Smith, placed second and third, respectively. For the final round, the technicians went head-to-head in a series of rigorous hands-on skills tests across 10 truck workstations within the Kentucky International Convention Center. Rotating every 30 minutes under the careful eye of 10 judges, competitors diagnosed issues involving vehicle electronics, preventive maintenance, and air conditioning, among others. In addition to Robinson winning the grand prize, each finalist received a $10,000 cash prize, and a week of unforgettable experiences in Louisville, and the Bluegrass Region.

“Top Tech continues to serve as a valuable tool in developing the best technicians in the industry and we all are extremely proud of the program and all that it has accomplished over the last 20 years,” says Tom Havens, President of Global Fleet Management Solutions at Ryder. “Wade’s dedication to excellence is a shining example of why customers trust Ryder to deliver high quality, reputable customer service, and vehicle uptime rooted in knowledge and continuous education. Congratulations to Wade Robinson, the regional finalists, and to all those who competed in this year’s competition.”

For job seekers, click here to search for available technician positions in your area.

About Ryder

Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) is a leading logistics and transportation company. It provides supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions, including full service leasing, rental, and maintenance, used vehicle sales, professional drivers, transportation services, freight brokerage, warehousing and distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, and last mile delivery services, to some world’s most-recognized brands. Ryder provides services throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In addition, Ryder manages nearly 235,000 commercial vehicles and operates more than 300 warehouses encompassing approximately 64 million square feet. Ryder is regularly recognized for its industry-leading practices in third-party logistics, technology-driven innovations, commercial vehicle maintenance, environmentally friendly solutions, corporate social responsibility, world-class safety and security programs, military veteran recruitment initiatives, and the hiring of a diverse workforce. www.ryder.com

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements and information included in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, including our expectations of RyderShare’s capabilities and our sustainability and technology initiatives, are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including those risks set forth in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risks on our business. Accordingly, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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