Ryder System President and CEO, to Receive Green Cross for Safety Medal

						
						
Gregory T. Swienton, Ryder System, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer,To Receive National Safety Council*s Green Cross for Safety Medal

Itasca, Ill. - The National Safety Council (NSC) has selected Gregory T. Swienton, president and chief executive officer of Ryder System, Inc. , to receive the Council*s 2002 Green Cross for Safety Medal for his exemplary commitment to workplace safety and corporate citizenship. Swienton is the first transportation industry executive to receive the honor.
*The National Safety Council is extremely pleased and excited to honor Gregory T. Swienton with our Green Cross for Safety Medal,* said Alan C. McMillan, NSC president and chief executive officer. *Every company*s chief executive would do well to follow Greg Swienton*s lead.  Ryder*s commitment to safety is outstanding in the supply chain and transportation industry.  It represents the highest level of dedication to worker safety and health, environmental stewardship and community service.* 
	 *Ryder has a superlative record of providing a company-wide safety culture,*  McMillan continued.  *The NSC believes that an overall commitment to making safety a core value sets Ryder apart.  We encourage all companies to adopt similar policies.*
	Since joining Ryder in 1999, Swienton has identified safety as one of the Company*s top five goals.  He has championed efforts to ensure that safety is integrated into all aspects of the business process.  He also raised the visibility and importance of safety in the organization by creating the position of Vice President for Safety, Health and Security.
	 *Assuring the safety and health of our employees, customers, suppliers and contractors is a critical focus and a core competency at Ryder,* Swienton said. *Safety is unquestionably the right focus for our employees and our customers.  Ryder has a philosophy that considers no accident acceptable and that all accidents are preventable.*  
	Ryder*s Health and Safety team is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the supply chain and transportation industry.  It consists of individuals with expertise in transportation and industrial safety and security, industrial hygiene, program management and ISO process development. 	
	The Green Cross for Safety Medal, a large bronze medallion embossed with the National Safety Council*s logo, will be presented to Mr. Swienton at the Council*s annual fundraising dinner in May 2002 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
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	Swienton earned a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing from Chicago*s Loyola University and a master*s in business administration with an emphasis in finance from the University of Chicago. Before joining Ryder in June 1999 as its president and chief operating officer, Swienton had more than 20 years experience in the transportation industry with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation and DHL Worldwide Express. He became president and chief executive officer at Ryder in November 2000.