Ryder Announces its Drivers of the Year: Honoring the Heroes Behind the Wheel

By: Ryder System, Inc. via Business Wire

June 19, 2025 at 06:55 AM EDT

The 53^rd annual award recognizes top-performing drivers for outstanding safety records, customer service, and community leadership.
Three honorees bring 105 years of combined experience and have logged nearly 6 million safe miles.

Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) announces the winners of its 53^rd annual “Driver of the Year” award, celebrating three professional truck drivers who exemplify the highest standards of safety, service, and leadership across its supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management businesses. This year’s honorees—James “Jim” Jones, Roland Esquibel, and Mark Jones—earn induction into the Ryder “Driver Hall of Fame” not just for their stellar driving records, but for their lasting impact on the company, their teams, and their communities. Together, these three road warriors bring 105 years of combined experience and have logged nearly 6 million miles.

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Based in Mason, Mich., James "Jim" Jones named Ryder's Driver of the Year for the supply chain solutions business segment, bringing 38 years of professional driving experience and more than 2 million miles driven.

“Our drivers move more than freight. They move our company and our customers’ businesses forward,” says Ryder Chairman and CEO Robert Sanchez. “Jim, Roland, and Mark represent the very best of Ryder and our customers, from their skill behind the wheel to their character and commitment to their communities. They are true ambassadors of our values and our brand.”

James “Jim” Jones | Supply Chain Solutions

Based in Mason, Mich., Jim Jones is a standout performer in Ryder’s Supply Chain Solutions business, bringing 38 years of professional driving experience; including the past eight years with Ryder. Over the course of his career, he has driven more than 2 million miles, all while maintaining a stellar safety record and a steady hand under pressure. When he’s not on the road, Jim serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Mason Fire Department, demonstrating his deep-rooted commitment to service. Known for his calm demeanor and team-first attitude, Jim embodies the values of responsibility and reliability that define Ryder’s professional driver community.

Roland Esquibel | Dedicated Transportation Solutions

Hailing from Devine, Texas, Roland Esquibel brings unmatched dedication and professionalism to Ryder’s Dedicated Transportation Solutions segment. With 35 years of professional driving experience—including the past four years with Ryder—Roland has logged more than 2.3 million miles over his career. A respected U.S. military veteran and proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Roland channels his service and leadership skills into every delivery. Beyond work, he actively supports his community through his local church, continuing his lifelong mission of service and mentorship.

Mark Jones | Fleet Management Solutions

Operating out of Sacramento, Calif., Mark Jones is the recipient of Ryder’s Fleet Management Solutions’ (FMS) “Customer Driver of the Year” award, which recognizes drivers who go above and beyond to keep roads safe while operating Ryder vehicles. With 32 years of safe driving performance and more than 1.5 million miles driven, Mark also mentors new drivers and plays a key role in ensuring reliable, on-time deliveries for Ryder’s FMS customers. A decorated U.S. Air Force veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm, he earned three Bronze Stars and the Southwest Asia Service Medal, bringing the same discipline and excellence from his military career to the road every day.

About the Award

Ryder’s Driver of the Year program stands as a cornerstone of the company’s commitment to excellence behind the wheel. Each year, a select group of top performers from Ryder’s 13,400-strong professional driver workforce, as well as from our FMS customer base, earn this elite recognition. Candidates are carefully vetted through a comprehensive selection process led by Ryder executives, safety specialists, and veteran drivers, making it one of the company’s longest running and most prestigious awards programs.

To learn about professional driver positions available at Ryder, visit Ryder Jobs and Careers | Work at Ryder.

About Ryder System, Inc.

Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) is a fully integrated port-to-door logistics and transportation company. It provides supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions, including warehousing and distribution, contract packaging and manufacturing, e-commerce fulfillment, last-mile delivery, managed transportation, professional drivers, freight brokerage, cross-border solutions, full-service fleet leasing, maintenance, commercial truck rental, and used vehicle sales to some of the world’s most-recognized brands. Ryder provides services to businesses across more than 20 industries throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In addition, Ryder manages nearly 250,000 commercial vehicles, services fleets at approximately 760 maintenance locations, and operates nearly 300 warehouses encompassing more than 100 million square feet. Ryder is regularly recognized for its industry-leading practices; technology-driven innovations; environmental management; safety, health and security programs; and recruitment and hiring initiatives. 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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