Ryder System, Inc. Names Eduardo M. Vital Executive Vice President, Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer

    MIAMI--Feb. 26, 2002--Ryder System, Inc. , a leader in logistics and transportation management solutions worldwide, announced today that Eduardo M. Vital has been elected Executive Vice President of Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer.
    "Ed joins Ryder's executive team with nearly 30 years of management and information technology experience, and several years of Ryder-specific experience from his years leading our account at Accenture," said Gregory T. Swienton, Ryder's President and Chief Executive Officer. "He moves to Ryder at a time when the information technology function is critically important as we continue to implement changes to make us more competitive and increase our ability to generate customer-focused solutions that create value."
    In his new role, Vital will report to Corliss J. Nelson, Ryder's Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "Ed will help refine Ryder's business model and increase IT's role as one of Ryder's core competencies and competitive strengths," Nelson stated. "Ed will oversee Ryder's extensive IT function and will lead process development and implementation for the Company."
    Prior to joining Ryder, Vital was a Partner with Accenture, the world's leading provider of management and technology consulting services and solutions, assigned to the Transportation and Travel Services Group. Vital joined Accenture in 1995, and Ryder had been his primary client since 1997.
    "Having worked with Ryder's senior management and IT organization for five years, I am very familiar with the Company's strengths," Vital said. "Therefore, I'm excited about joining Ryder and look forward to further strengthening its key IT function."
    Prior to joining Accenture, Vital was a Vice President and Managing Director for the consulting firm SHL Systemhouse (now part of EDS), a recognized leader in systems integration from 1992 to 1995. Based in Houston, Texas, he was responsible for directing and managing the firm's Latin American operations. He developed new business opportunities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Venezuela.
    Prior to SHL, Vital worked for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. from 1979 to 1992. Among his responsibilities were: serving as MIS Director of a major subsidiary, American Ref-Fuel; as a managing analyst for the corporation; as project manager for the development and implementation of a company-wide online procurement system; and as a consultant for a company joint venture in Mexico.
    Vital holds bachelor of science and master of science degrees in Computer Science and Business from the University of Central Texas. He has taken post-graduate education courses from Harvard Business School and Duke University. He also serves on the Executive Board of Harvard University's Journal of Hispanic Policy and is involved in numerous community charitable organizations.

    About Ryder

    Ryder provides leading-edge logistics, supply chain and transportation management solutions worldwide. Ryder's product offerings range from full-service leasing, commercial rental and programmed maintenance of vehicles to integrated services such as dedicated contract carriage and carrier management. Additionally, Ryder offers comprehensive supply chain solutions, consulting, lead logistics management services and e-Business solutions that support customers' entire supply chains, from inbound raw materials and parts through distribution and delivery of finished goods. Ryder serves customer needs throughout North America, in Latin America, Europe and Asia.
    For the fifth consecutive year, Ryder was featured in the 2001 Fortune Most Admired Companies survey of corporate reputations and has ranked among the top five in its industry category since 1997. Forbes named Ryder to its "Magnetic 40" as "Best in Transportation and Logistics" for creating a "network of partnerships that can spur growth, innovation and most important, serve customers better." InternetWeek named Ryder as one of the top 100 U.S. companies for effectiveness in using the Internet to achieve tangible business benefits. For the fourth consecutive year, Inbound Logistics recognized Ryder in 2001 as the top third-party logistics provider. The National Safety Council selected Ryder to receive the 2002 Green Cross for Safety Medal - its highest honor - for exemplary commitment to workplace safety and corporate citizenship.
    Ryder's stock is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Ryder's revenue in 2001 was $5.01 billion.
    For more information on Ryder System, Inc., visit http://www.ryder.com.