Transportation Professionals Honor Don Schneider with President's Award

Green Bay, Wis. (March 21, 2011) – When Don Schneider retired as president and CEO of Schneider National in 2002, the entire transportation industry recognized the significance of the moment. Not only had Schneider been at the helm of one of the nation's largest trucking companies for decades, but he'd grown the company his father founded into a powerhouse of innovation by boldly going where no one in the industry had gone before. Nearly a decade later, Schneider's influence is still being heralded by the industry he advanced. On March 11, 2011, the Transportation Research Forum (an independent organization of transportation professionals) presented their prestigious President's Award to Don Schneider.

The President's Award has been given annually since 2007 to an individual in transportation who has exhibited leadership and innovation on a regional or national scale that has resulted in improving the mobility of freight and/or people. Honorees must also have made significant contributions to the industry by establishing improved practices, standards, or a broader and futuristic vision for transportation.

"We selected Don to receive this year's President's Award because we wanted to recognize his outstanding leadership – characterized by the development of innovative strategies, embracing of new technologies to enhance performance and efficiency of the supply chain, and promotion of a safe and green transportation system," said B. Starr McMullen, president of the Transportation Research Forum and professor of economics at Oregon State University. "A true pioneer in the era of deregulation, he built Schneider National into one of the biggest and most successful truckload firms operating in North America."

Under Schneider's leadership, Schneider National was the first trucking company to use satellite communication systems for its trucks and their loads. Schneider made human investments as well. He advocated giving employees flexibility, and his investments in technology allowed drivers to set their own routes with greater efficiency.

"If Don was anything, he was intensely committed and focused," noted Chris Lofgren, current president and CEO of Schneider National, when asked about Schneider's storied career. "His deep belief in the vision of Schneider National and the crucial role we could play in shaping the standard of living in this country allowed him never to lose sight or doubt for a moment the achievement of the objective we sought - even in the most difficult industry downturns and regulatory upheaval. That steadfast belief became contagious to the associates he attracted to the company."

When Schneider retired in 2002, the company employed 19,000 people and had more than 42,000 trailers delivering goods each day. Today Schneider National is a leading provider of transportation, logistics and related services, serving more than 80 percent of the Fortune 500 companies.

McMullen continues, "Don's commitment, drive and willingness to approach business differently made Schneider National the successful firm it is today and demonstrates the need for flexible best practices for success in a rapidly changing environment."    

President's Award winners are selected by past presidents of the Transportation Research Forum. The award is presented at the group's annual TRF Forum. Past recipients include Fred Smith (FedEx) and Herb Kelleher (Southwest Airlines).

About Schneider National, Inc.
Schneider National, Inc. is a premier provider of truckload, logistics and intermodal services. Serving more than two-thirds of the FORTUNE 500 companies, Schneider National offers the broadest portfolio of services in the industry. The company's transportation and logistics solutions include Van Truckload, Dedicated, Regional, Bulk, Intermodal, Transportation Management, Supply Chain Management, Warehousing and International Logistics services.

Headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., Schneider National has provided expert transportation and logistics solutions for 75 years. A $3.1 billion company, Schneider National conducts business in more than 28 countries worldwide. For more information about Schneider National, visit www.schneider.com.