HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Every industry has certain unique career milestones that set apart an individual as especially skilled and accomplished in their profession. For a professional truck driver, 1 million miles of safe driving without an accident is the ultimate measure of excellence. It is an elite club that now counts Ironton resident George Abner as a member.

Abner is a driver sales representative for Con-way Freight, a less-than-truckload freight carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc.

He safely drove the 1 million miles starting in December 1996 and reached the 1-million-mile mark on March 5. The company plans to recognize his achievement in a ceremony at its Huntington, W.Va., service center, where Abner is based.

“George’s impressive accomplishment highlights the personal and professional commitment to safety of those of our employees who go behind the wheel of a truck every day, and who make it their business to demonstrate superior safety performance on the highways, in our service centers and at our customers’ facilities,” said Douglas W. Stotlar, president and CEO, Con-way Inc. “Safety is one of our core values, and we congratulate George for his extraordinary achievement.”

Abner has worked for Con-way Freight since 1994 and has been a professional truck driver for 37 years. He typically drives approximately 280 miles per shift.