DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 24, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced that 14 elite drivers from Iowa are among 1,613 newly inducted worldwide into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving.
Iowa boasts 80 active Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 2,303 years of accident-free driving. Cleo Underwood of Des Moines is the state’s senior-most safe driver, with 40 years of accident-free driving under his belt. There are 1,091 total UPS drivers in Iowa.
Globally, 8,703 active UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor. Collectively they’ve racked up more than 245,000 years and more than 5.3 billion safe miles during their careers. That’s enough miles to travel to Mars and back 19 times.
”My thanks go to all of them for their dedication and focus and for the countless lives they’ve saved,” said George Willis, president, UPS West Region. “Their attention to detail has kept them safe and has helped improve public safety.”
Globally, the most seasoned UPS Circle of Honor driver is Thomas Camp of Livonia, Mich., with 53 years of driving without an accident. Ronald McKnight of Bronx, N.Y., is next in line with 47 years of safe driving. Sixty-six others have logged at least 40 years without an accident.
UPS’s 102,000 drivers are among the safest on the roads, logging more than 3 billion miles a year and delivering more than 4 billion packages safely.
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 its safe driving honor program in 1928.
** NOTE: The following table lists local drivers by hometown and UPS center. If you’re interested in interviewing a local driver, please contact UPS Public Relations at pr@ups.com. Visit pressroom.ups.com for multimedia assets.
Following is a list of Iowa drivers inducted this year to the Circle of Honor.
| Driver | Hometown | UPS Work Location |
| Blaede, Mark | Clive | Des Moines |
| Clark, Scott | Altoona | Des Moines |
| Ficken, David | Palo | Hiawatha |
| Firkins, Kermit | West Des Moines | Des Moines |
| Futa, Lisa | Johnston | Des Moines |
| Gardner, Gary | Spencer | Spencer |
| Gorton, Brian | Ankeny | Des Moines |
| Hartsell, Todd | Des Moines | Des Moines |
| Jenson, Michael | Iowa City | Hiawatha |
| Paustian, Keith | Long Grove | Davenport |
| Rogers, Fredie | Council Bluffs | Omaha |
| Schulte, William | Manly | Mason City |
| Stanton, Alan | Haverhill | Marshalltown |
| Taylor, Dennis | Fort Atkinson | Davenport |
Contact: UPS Public Relations
pr@ups.com
