4 WPB Carriers Go Extra (Million) Mile

By LuAnn Warner

West Palm Beach is proud to present four new additions to the Million Mile Club, the highest honor given to a driver in the workplace by the National Safety Council. The newest recipients to this program are: Jim Diaz who works at Palm Beach Gardens Station, Debra Ciraulo of Riviera Beach Station, and at Palms Central Station are Rory O’Donovan and Jussi Lane.

West Palm Beach Postmaster Richard Fermo (left) presents Million Mile Award to Letter Carrier Jim Diaz (right) of Palm Beach Gardens Station.  Photo:  LuAnn Warner

Diaz has seen many changes in the workplace since beginning his bike route in the 1980s at the Lake Park Branch. He attributes his learned driving skills to his military experience. Diaz was stationed in Europe and believes he became a defensive driver there. His advice to his co-workers is to remember that “you are the vehicle and have to let the other drivers in when they have no place to go.” 

West Palm Beach Postmaster Richard Fermo (right) congratulates Letter Carrier Debra Ciraulo (left) on her million miler accomplishment.  Photo:  LuAnn Warner

Debra Ciraulo thanks her father for her defensive driving skills. Ciraulo’s father is retired from the West Palm Beach Fire Department and is still accident free at age 78.  Her advice is to “give everybody the right of way because they are going to take it anyway.”  She also says that she “keeps her head on a constant swivel” to remain accident free.

West Palm Beach Postmaster Richard Fermo (left) congratulates Palms Central  Station Letter Carrier Rory O'Donovan on his Million Mile Award.  Photo:  LuAnn Warner

Rory O’Donovan speaks of being lonely while driving.  He will park and drive far away from people to remain accident free. His advice is to stay away from stationary objects and clusters of traffic. His safe driving motto is to “always be in the moment,” and not to be on the cell phone while driving.

Palms Central Letter Carrier Jussi Laine is all smiles after receiving his Million Mile plaque.  Photo:  LuAnn Warner

Jussi Laine at Palms Central Station was beaming when he was congratulated in joining this elite club. He knows he is a good driver and is proud of that fact. His advice to his co-workers is to “pay attention to the next guy.”

These four carriers have driven the equivalent of 168 trips around the earth and they did it with pride and dedication to earn this status. To reach this apex requires 30 years of accident-free driving.  Congratulations to each of these employees who are some of West Palm Beach’s finest!