Ruan Transport Corp. recently honored a group of drivers by awarding them with the Ruan Million Mile Safety Award in recognition of the drivers’ achievements of one, two and three million miles of accident-free driving. The Seattle-based drivers all have been with Ruan more than five years.
Drivers recognized included Craig Kvam, who has achieved three million safe miles; Dick Growden and Ed Aboen, each with two million safe miles; and 17 drivers with one million safe miles: John Ziltener, Tony Honeywell, John Iacolucci, Angel Suarez, Dave Blake, Rick Romanowski, Larry Hopkins, Marty McLean, Dave McCourt, Noel Beauregard, Don Laird, Tor West, Mike Ragland, Vern Skrdlant, Sherman Peterson, Pat Tuttle and Joe Wheeler.
“They are an amazing group when you look at the challenges these professionals face on a daily basis,” says terminal manager Nick Anton, who selected each award-winning driver to receive the award. “Hauling a 53-foot triple-axle trailer around western Washington and the Seattle area takes experience and skill.” Anton also stressed how remarkable it is that these drivers make multiple stops each day and unload the trailers themselves.
The 20 drivers were presented with their award at their annual safety recognition banquet in December, where they received a personal plaque of recognition honoring their accomplishment. “This is quite an achievement in the career of any professional driver and is one of the many reasons I’m so proud to be associated with Ruan,” says Jim Mulvenna, vice president of safety and administration for the Des Moines, Iowa-based company. “Professional and disciplined drivers such as these are the most important element in achieving and maintaining our world-class safety performance.”
