Driver of theMonth JANUARY 2014


GEORGE MUELLER Grand Island Express By JeNNiFeR BaRNett Reed Contributing Writer


Some truck drivers may view the isolated


nature of the job as the downside they put up with in exchange for other benefits. For January 2014 Driver of the Month George Mueller, the lone-wolf aspect of driving a truck is one of the main attractions. “It’s an easy life compared to talking to


people,” joked Mueller, who worked in sales for more than 20 years before returning to truck driving 12 years ago. “I like getting away and it’s an easy job. I don’t do anything but steer this truck.” Mueller, 62, drives refrigerated trucks for


Mueller


Grand Island Express, where he’s worked since he came back to trucking in 2002. His initial stint as a truck driver came after he got out of the military as a young man. After four years, he went into sales and construction for more than two decades. Mueller himself doesn’t say much,


especially when he’s the topic of conversation. But Keith Pirnie, vice president of operations at Grand Island Express, said Mueller is well liked and respected in the company. “Dispatch really likes him because he just


gets the job done and he knows how to do it,” said Pirnie, who nominated Mueller as Driver of the Month. “He always has a smiling face, and he’s always well dressed and groomed — he’s very professional.” Pirnie said he thinks of Mueller as the


“quiet giant” — he stands 6 feet, 8 inches tall. 24 NEBRASKA TRUCKER — ISSUE 1, 2014 — www.nebtrucking.com “I look forward to him coming in the door,”


Pirnie said. Mueller drives routes from Grand Island


east to the East Coast, Pirnie said, and his safety record is exemplary, with almost 2 million accident-free miles. “He’s super-conscious of safety,” Pirnie


said. Mueller said he tries to keep a positive


attitude. “A negative attitude gets you in wrecks, gets


you in trouble,” he said. “I’m pretty safe out here. I know I’d sure hate to hurt anybody.” Mueller lives in Grand Island, and said


that while he likes driving long-haul routes, he also loves coming home. In his off hours, he likes to spend time with his 19-month-old granddaughter, fish, and exercise, including riding his mountain bike. He’s also a car enthusiast, Pirnie said. “In his garage he’s got a genuine yellow


traffic light that he’s refurbished,” Pirnie said. “He’s wired it up to sequence the green, yellow and red lights, just like a real one.” At 62, Mueller’s started to think about


retiring from long-haul trucking in a few years. But he’s not planning to sit at home. “I’ll probably go drive local or something,”


he said. Pirnie said he’s impressed that Mueller


is able to keep himself in such good physical shape given the realities of a truck driver’s lifestyle. “If I could clone him, I would,” Pirnie said.


“He does a great job for us, and he’s always quiet about it.” Nt


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