Dale Williams, 65, may not be a jet pilot or astronaut, but he's certainly matched distances traveled in both professions over the course of his nearly 37-year career with XPO (NYSE: XPO). Earlier this month, XPO celebrated the Army veteran for driving 4 million miles.
On top of that, he drove every one of them without a single accident.
It's a feat that drivers in the trucking industry strive for, yet very few achieve. According to an article published in Truckers News, Perdue Farms celebrated its second driver to ever achieve 4 million accident-free miles in the company's 104-year history earlier this year. With the addition of Williams, XPO now also has two drivers who have reached the milestone in its 35-year history.
XPO recognized Williams' achievement on April 8 with a celebration at the company's service center in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was presented a new camo-wrapped tractor in honor of his military service, a $25,000 safe driving bonus, a trophy, varsity jacket and more.
Additionally, Williams was awarded a personalized ruby ring sporting four diamonds – one for each of the million miles he's driven safely over the course of his career.
"Dale is a true role model" Tim Staroba, president of XPO's East Division, told FreightWaves in an email. "He's well known at XPO and throughout the trucking industry for his commitment to safety, but also for sharing his wealth of knowledge with other drivers. Reaching four million accident-free miles is an incredible achievement that shows his dedication to our colleagues, customers and the motoring public. We're proud to have him on our team and grateful for his service to our country and company."
Growing up Army green
Born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Williams grew up just south of Columbia, South Carolina, in the town of Casey. There, he would join his high school's Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program and participate in the drill team, honor guard ...