By GREGORY R. NORFLEET

gregory.norfleet@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — In 24 years of driving for United Van Lines, John Richey logged in nearly 3 million miles helping families move from house to house.

This year, Ritchey, who works for subsidiary Corrigan Moving Systems, also landed the honor of “United Van Operator of the Year.”

“I appreciate this recognition from them,” he said.

During the past year he was under review as a potential winner of the award, Ritchey logged in more than 85,000 miles. The company recognized Ritchey and seven others at an awards ceremony last month.

United CEO Richard McClure made the annoucement, noting that Ritchey qualified based on claims prevention, adherence to van line policies and procedures, an exceptional safety record and overall superior performance based on customer compliments. He also had few cargo claims, no preventable accidents and no safety violations.

Ritchey said he got his start while working for Harlow Moving on South Illinois 37 in Mt. Vernon some three decades ago.

He said he never intended to have truck driving become a career.

“I planned on it being a short-term job,” he said, “But I’m working for a company I like and it’s not the same old thing every day.”

When the Register-News tracked him down, Ritchey was in Uma, Ariz., helping a U.S. Army soldier moving from Michigan.

He also likes not just being a driver, but a moving man as well.

“It’s not one of those jobs where I just back up the truck and someone loads the truck with a forklift,” he said.

As Van Operator of the Year, Ritchey received a cash award, an engraved plaque, a ring denoting his accomplishment and a specially designed jacket, accoring to United Van Lines.

The Mt. Vernon man, who has earned several “Driver of the Month” awards in the past five years, thanked his wife, Lisa, for supporting him despite being gone so often.

The couple have four children: Sean Chizk, Caleb Ritchey, Alexandrea Ritchey and Molly Ritchey.