UPS United Parcel Service

UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced that 13 elite drivers from Mississippi are among 1,575 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.  

Mississippi boasts 120 active Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 3,487 years of accident-free driving. Merriel Torrey of Utica is the state’s senior-most safe driver, with 44 years of accident-free driving under his belt. There are 689 total full-time UPS drivers in Mississippi. 

Globally, 9,349 active UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor.  Collectively they’ve racked up 266,554 years and nearly 14 billion safe miles during their careers. That’s enough miles to travel to the moon and back almost 29,000 times.

“My thanks go to all of them for their dedication and focus and for the countless lives they’ve saved,” said Charlene Thomas, president, UPS Mid South District. “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 54 years of driving without an accident. Ronald McKnight of Bronx, N.Y., is next in line with 48 years of safe driving. Ninety-one 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 nearly 5 billion packages annually. 

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 page 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 Mississippi drivers inducted this year to the Circle of Honor.

Driver	Hometown	UPS Work Location
Bell,  Brady	Olive Branch	Oakhaven, TN
Brinson,  Sharon	Hattiesburg	Hattiesburg
Cole,  Glenn	Byhalia	Oakhaven, TN
Cycyk,  Patrick	Biloxi	Gulfport
Kerr II,  Phillip	Greenville	Greenville
Lewis,  Cleveland	Columbus	Jackson
Oglesbee,  Robert	Columbia	Hattiesburg
Parker,  Laronda	West Point	Columbus
Phinisey,  Tony	Columbus	Columbus
Tabor,  Dwayne	Greenwood	Greenwood
Thomas,  Richard	Jackson	Jackson
Usher,  Derrick	Rienzi	Booneville
White,  Thomas	Gulfport	Gulfport

Contact:
UPS Public Relations
pr@ups.com