When driver George Lodovico clocked in for his very first day at UPS on 3 December 1963, gas was 30 cents a gallon and GPS was not even on the drawing board, let alone on dashboards. Fast forward over six decades – yes, decades – and George is still delivering with the same passion he felt on day one.
Let’s put this into perspective: George recently earned his 55-year Circle of Honour patch. That means 55 years – over half a century – of driving without a single incident. Not even a fender bender. That is more than 2 million miles on the road, which is like driving to the moon and back … four times.
‘UPS has been good for me from day one’, George said. ‘The benefits are great. The pay is great. All in all, it is just a good job. I don't know exactly how to put it … I just enjoy it.’
‘George’s 61-year journey with UPS is nothing short of extraordinary. His dedication, his spirit of service and his commitment to people reflect the very best of who we are. He reminds us that greatness is not always about big moments – it is about the consistent leadership shown over a lifetime‘, said UPS Executive Vice President and President U.S. Nando Cesarone. ‘George is a living legacy and an inspiration to every UPSer who dreams of making a difference.’
Safety tips from a pro: ‘If you do what you are supposed to do, apply all the driving methods, and stay focused, you will get home in one piece. Then, you do it all again the next day’, George said. ‘Be aware of what is around you at all times. Slow down, always stay back and never go past the speed limit.’
His commitment to safety has not gone unnoticed. Newspapers, members of congress and even the state of New Jersey dubbed him the ‘Safest Man in Jersey.’
When asked why he has stayed with UPS for six decades, the answer comes easily – heartfelt and humble. ‘One word: service. I love to serve people. That is what I like the most … to see them happy’, George said. ‘People on my route always say, ‘Hi George! How are you?’ Some of them are like family.’
Want more of George’s inspirational journey? Watch his latest interview on ABC World News Tonight.
Did you know? When it comes to safety, teaching and training are always on at UPS. We provide employees with industry-leading training to keep them safe:
- UPS invested more than $500 million on safety training in the U.S. and our operations employees completed more than eight million hours of safety training in 2024 alone.
- In more than 3,100 employee-led safety committees across the U.S., union-represented employees work hand in hand with management to conduct facility and equipment audits, recommend work process changes and provide safety compliance training.
- Nearly 10,000 UPS drivers around the world make up the UPS Circle of Honour signifying 25 years or more of safe driving. That is 1.5 billion miles without as much as a fender-bender.