Keith Golliday was recently named Ruan Transportation Management Systems' 2011 Driver of the Year after being selected from a pool of more than 4,200 professional drivers.
Golliday, who operates out of Ruan's Martinsburg, WV, terminal, and lives in Gerrardstown, WV, has been with Ruan since 2008 and has logged more than 5.5 million miles during his 41 years as a professional truck driver.
"I am so proud to be a part of the Ruan family," Golliday said. "I just do my job. I want to get home the same way I left every morning."
Ruan, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this July, is a dedicated contract carriage and logistics company headquartered in Des Moines, IA. The company began the search for its Driver of the Year when 122 drivers from Ruan's 233 terminals were named region finalists based on length of service, safety and driving records, and exceptional customer service.
Regional vice presidents then narrowed the field further to 13 region winners, who traveled to Des Moines with a guest July 10 for an award ceremony and other festivities. Out of the 13 region winners, Ruan's executive committee selected Golliday.
"Each of you is an outstanding performer," said Ruan President and CEO Steve Chapman at the award ceremony Tuesday at the Norman E. Borlaug World Food Prize Hall of Laureates. "You consistently exceed our safety and service standards to meet the needs of our customers. This recognition is our way of honoring your dedication, professionalism and ongoing commitment to Ruan and our valued customers."
Each regional winner was awarded a trophy at the ceremony. Golliday, who hauls hazardous materials for Ruan customer Ecolab, was honored with a trophy, a cash prize and the 2011 Driver of the Year title.
Wednesday night, Ruan's Des Moines-based team members and their families||special8212||and the 13 region winners||special8212||commemorated the company's 80th anniversary with a celebration at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park. Similar celebrations are taking place at Ruan locations across the country.
The 2011 Driver of the Year festivities also coincide with Ruan's annual Founder's Days events, when the company celebrates the work ethic and philanthropic spirit of its founder, John Ruan, throughout the month of July.
"It was 80 years ago when Ruan Transport was the promising business of one determined, hard-working driver||special8212||John Ruan," Chapman said. "Mr. Ruan absolutely understood from day one that without the company's professional class of drivers, it would not exist."