GREEN BAY, Wis. – (Schneider National driver associate Mike Samra was recently named a Top 10 finalist for Randall-Reilly Business Media & Information’s 2012 Rookie of the Year contest. Samra’s professionalism, positive attitude and excellent safety record made him a standout in this year’s pool of nominees.
Samra joined Schneider National, one of the nation’s largest truckload carriers, in February and has since proved to be an ideal driver associate. “Simply put, if we could clone Mike Samra, we would,” said Mike Hinz, vice president, Schneider National. “He is the epitome of a true driving professional.”

The Top 10 finalist said he was stunned to learn he had been named a finalist. “When I first heard the news, I just stared at my phone, re-reading the message a few times,” Samra recalls. “I’m still somewhat in shock!”

Samra hopes he has what it takes to be named the 2012 Rookie of the Year. Regardless of the outcome, he said his decision to pursue a career in trucking has changed his life. Prior to becoming a professional truck driver, Samra worked in customer service at a warranty firm but didn’t see any opportunity for advancement.

“My office window looked out over I-70 just outside St. Louis, where I’d watch the traffic go by. Seeing the tractor-trailers got me thinking about the trucking industry — from the freedom to the vast size of the industry and room for advancement,” Samra said. “Now I am able to see our awesome country from the best seat on the road. Every day I look forward to going to different places, meeting new people, interacting with our customers and enjoying the open road.”

Samra has long-term goals, too: He aims to further his education with aspirations of acquiring an undergraduate degree in business or logistics. Additionally, he’d like to become a Training Engineer at Schneider in hopes of sharing his knowledge of the industry with others. “Schneider has so many opportunities, and I am surrounded by great mentors who have paved the way for me to become an operations manager and beyond. The sky is the limit with my company!”

Randall-Reilly will announce the winner at a news conference on Friday, August 24 during the 2012 Great American Truck Show in Dallas. The Rookie of the Year contest was launched last year with the goal of increasing pride and professionalism among new drivers as well as informing the public of the many benefits of a career on the road. The judging panel includes expert representatives from motor carriers, private and public schools, suppliers and trade associations.

To learn more about driving opportunities for recent driving school graduates, experienced drivers and owner-operators with Schneider National, please visit www.schneiderjobs.com or call 1-800-44-PRIDE (1-800-447-7433).

About Schneider National, Inc.
Schneider National has exceptional career paths for professional drivers and truck school graduates. Solo and team opportunities exist for company drivers and owner-operators in Schneider’s Regional, Over the Road, Dedicated, Tanker and Expedited lines of business. Local and regional solo opportunities also exist for company drivers in Schneider’s Intermodal division.

A $3.4 billion company and one of the largest truckload carriers in North America, Schneider has been a top choice for drivers for more than 75 years. Schneider provides drivers great weekly miles, steady freight and the comfort of knowing that “safety first and always” is the cornerstone of the company’s philosophy. Schneider is ranked a top-paying carrier by the National Transportation Institute and has been nationally recognized for its support of veterans, Reservists and National Guard members. For more information about Schneider National career opportunities, visit www.schneiderjobs.com. You can also connect with Schneider on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jobsatschneider and Twitter at www.twitter.com/schneiderjobs.