Ryder Names Top Drivers of the Year

For the 39^th consecutive year, Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a leader in transportation and supply chain management solutions, recognized the tradition of driver excellence by presenting its annual "Driver of the Year” awards to three professionals who, combined, have 117 years and more than 10 million miles of safe, professional driving experience.

Ryder Driver of the Year Winners: James Estepp, Terry Elliot, James Hendrix (Photo: Business Wire)

One of the Company’s most prestigious recognition programs, the "Driver of the Year” award honors drivers who have demonstrated exemplary safety performance, customer service and citizenship throughout their careers. Honorees are selected after a rigorous review process by a committee that includes Ryder customers, executives, safety experts, and professional drivers. The top awards this year were presented to two drivers employed by Ryder and a driver employed by one of Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions customers. Each recipient received a five-day Caribbean cruise, cash award, specially designed ring and watch, and will be inducted into the Ryder "Driver Hall of Fame.”

James Estepp has been selected as Ryder’s Supply Chain Solutions Driver of the Year. Mr. Estepp drives for Ryder’s General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales account based in Roanoke, Texas. In addition to remaining injury free, he has driven 2.5 million preventable collision- and violation-free miles during his 22 years with Ryder and a total of 3 million preventable collision- and violation-free miles over the course of his impressive 36-year professional driving career. Mr. Estepp has also been recently selected as the Truck Rental and Leasing Association’s 2012 Driver of the Year, a tremendous industry honor.

James Hendrix has been selected as Ryder’s Dedicated Contract Carriage Driver of the Year. Mr. Hendrix drives for Ryder’s AT&T account based out of Suwanee, Georgia. He has been with Ryder for 16 years, and during his 42-year professional driving career he has driven over 2 million miles without a preventable collision, violation, or injury. Mr. Hendrix’s talent and commitment to safety is evident through his multiple "Driver of the Month” awards and a first place trophy received after successfully competing in a Professional Driving Championship.

Terry Elliot has been named Driver of the Year for Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions business segment. Mr. Elliot drives for Ryder customer, Allens, Inc., out of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He has been employed by Allens, Inc. for 33 years and has driven 5.6 million collision- and violation-free miles over his 39-year professional driving career. In addition to receiving a number of previous safety accolades from Ryder, Mr. Elliot has served as a mentor and trainer to younger drivers. He was also in the U.S. Navy and proudly served our country in the Vietnam War.

The three drivers were honored at a recent awards ceremony held at Ryder’s headquarters in Miami. Ryder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Swienton, accompanied by key Ryder executives and the drivers’ local managers, personally congratulated the honorees.

Greg Swienton commented, "Our Driver of the Year winners exemplify an unwavering commitment to working and driving safely, and delivering outstanding service. These drivers have a tremendous responsibility to deliver for customers while ensuring the safety of their coworkers and the communities where they operate. Achieving millions of safe miles over the course of such established, long careers is a testament to our winners’ dedication to getting the right results, the right way, at work and on the road.”

About Ryder

Ryder is a FORTUNE 500® commercial transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions company. Ryder’s stock (NYSE:R) is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Inbound Logistics magazine has recognized Ryder as the top third party logistics provider and included Ryder in its 2010 and 2011 "Green Partners” listing. Ryder also ranked 114 out of the top 500 U.S. companies and sixth in its industry sector in the 2010 Newsweek Green Rankings. Security magazine has named Ryder one of the top companies for security practices in the transportation, logistics, supply chain, and warehousing sector. Ryder is a proud member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, supporting national and local disaster preparedness and response efforts. For more information on Ryder System, Inc., visit 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 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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