OmniSource driver has logged more than 46 years
of safe driving in the industry
(New
Orleans, LA) – At
the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) Annual Convention and
Exposition, Gene Reed of
OmniSource Corporation was
presented today with ISRI’s Safe Driver of the Year Award for completing 46
verifiable years of safe driving without a single preventable accident. In
addition to his safe driving record, Mr. Reed demonstrates what it means to
hold safety as a core value, significantly contributes to the trucking
industry, and continuously provides service to the community through
extraordinary volunteer work.
“In my 30
years of transportation and safety I cannot recall a driver who has accomplished
so much,” said Commodor Hall, transportation safety director for ISRI. “Gene
has set the standard for others to follow, having given so much of himself and
gone above and beyond on so many occasions. In the 1970s and early 80s truck
drivers were often referred to as ‘Knights of the Road.’ I can honestly state
that Gene Reed is one of those Knights of the Road.”
ISRI’s Safe
Driver of the Year Award, now in its fifth year, recognizes outstanding drivers
who have driven a commercial vehicle for at least 20 years without incurring a
preventable accident. The award is based on the following mandatory
criteria:
- Nominations
may be submitted by ISRI members in good standing.
- Nominees
must be full-time employees whose primary responsibility is to operate a
commercial motor vehicle.
- Nominees
must be current employees of the nominating member company, and must be
employed for at least 1 year (12 consecutive months).
- Nominations
must be made by someone familiar with the nominee’s work history, such as
manager, safety director, etc.
- No
more than 3 drivers may be nominated from the same member company.
- Nominees
must meet the minimum requirement of 10 years of verifiable employment as
a commercial motor vehicle technician.
Other criteria
taken into account are the driver’s contribution to highway safety (driver
trainer), letters of appreciation, deeds of heroism on or off the job, and
civic and fraternal organizations.
“Gene’s humble
personality, commitment to safety, and attention to the ‘basics’ are some key
fundamentals he exhibits as a Driver Trainer for OmniSource,” said Russell
Rinn, president and COO of OmniSource Corporation. “Gene continues to serve his
community tirelessly, not losing touch with his dedication and spirit, as he
perseveres through the everyday challenges on our streets and highway as a
professional truck driver.”
Mr. Reed’s
other accolades include being inducted into the National Private Truck Council
– Bridgestone Firestone Drive Hall of Fame in 2006. He is also credited with
the heroic act of saving another driver’s life following an accident, and has a
strong track record of community service.
Gene
volunteers for the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana, including having
served as chairman of the Communications Committee, and served on the Emergency
Services Committee. He also recently joined his local volunteer fire
department.
Reed has also
been a leader in the Northeastern Indiana Allen County Medical Response Team
(MRT) Command Staff. He was selected as one of two drivers entrusted with MADE
– 1 (Mobile Advanced Disaster Element One), a 45-foot van trailer which was
converted into a mobile emergency room. Gene then developed a system to load
the vehicle into a military C-5 aircraft for deployment. In addition to these
responsibilities, Gene led the logistics units during field deployments
mobilizing specialized equipment and supplies, and served as a strike team
leader, team treasurer, and MRT Trainer.
Reed has also
traveled to other regions of the country to assist in hurricane recovery.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Gene devoted two weeks to help in re-establishing
the communications infrastructure of New Orleans. He was also present in New
Orleans when Hurricane Rita came ashore, and assisted in helping victims. Gene
also assisted in recovery efforts following Hurricane Marilyn in the U.S.
Virgin Islands in 1995.
In addition to
travel to and lodging at the Convention, Mr. Reed received an award,
personalized certificate, ISRI Safe Driver leather jacket, congratulatory
letter, and a $500 personal check.
The
second-place winner was James Cody of Sims Metal Management in Sacramento, CA;
and the third-place went to Mike O’Connor of Sadoff Iron and Metal in Fond du
Lac, WI.
*Photos
Available Upon Request
###
The
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the "Voice of the
Recycling Industry™." ISRI represents more than 1,300 companies in 21
chapters in the U.S. and 35 countries that process, broker, and consume scrap
commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics, and
textiles. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute provides
education, advocacy, safety and compliance training, and promotes public
awareness of the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade,
the environment and sustainable development. Generating more than $105 billion
annually in U.S. economic activity, the scrap recycling industry provides
nearly half a million Americans with good jobs. For more information about
ISRI, please visit www.isri.org.