WICHITA, Kan., Feb. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced 19 elite drivers from Kansas are among 1,445 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.
Kansas boasts 144 active Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 4,183 years of accident-free driving. Larry Saunders of Lenexa is the state's senior safe driver, with 45 years of accident-free driving under his belt. There are 1,705 total UPS drivers in Kansas.
Globally, 7,878 active UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor. Collectively they've racked up more than 221,000 years and more than 5.3 billion safe miles during their careers. That's enough miles to travel to Mars and back 36 times.
"My thanks go to all of them for their dedication and focus, and for the countless lives they've saved," said Kim Wyant, president, UPS Central Plains District.
Globally, the most seasoned UPS Circle of Honor driver is Thomas Camp of Livonia, Mich., with 52 years of driving without an accident. Ronald McKnight of Bronx, N.Y., is next in line with 46 years of safe driving. Sixty-two 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 Dan McMackin at dmcmackin@ups.com. Visit pressroom.ups.com for multimedia assets.
Following is a list of Kansas drivers inducted this year to the Circle of Honor.
| Driver | Hometown | UPS Work Location |
| Bailey, Roy | Shawnee | Lenexa |
| Brunk, Duane | Buhler | Hutchinson |
| Carter, Darrin | Salina | Salina |
| Dykes, Jeffry | Paola | Lenexa |
| Follmer, Gary | Roeland Park | James St |
| Gallet, Henry | Kansas City | Lenexa |
| Haase, Ernie | McLouth | Kansas City |
| Hansford, Michael | Topeka | Topeka |
| Holland, Dan | Merriam | Kansas City |
| Labrue, Anita | Wichita | Wichita |
| Maxson, David | Girard | Wichita (South & North) |
| Nelson, Kenneth | Ottawa | Lenexa |
| Smith, Danny | Olathe | Lenexa West |
| Spencer, Ronald | Lenexa | Lenexa |
| Sterling, Jeffrey | Garden City | Garden City |
| Stringer, Christopher | Parsons | Parsons |
| Van Walleghem, Carl | Lenexa | Lenexa |
| Walters, Gordon | Salina | Salina |
| Wiehe, Mark | Kansas City | Lenexa |