[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 60 (Friday, May 4, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATIONS TO CHRISTOPHER SCHMUS, SBA YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2001

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to salute a man from my 
district who, at a relatively young age, has become quite the success 
story. Christopher Schmus, President and Chief Executive Officer of 
ProDriver Leasing (PDL) Systems, Inc., has been honored by the Small 
Business Administration as its Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
  Four years ago, after rising through the ranks of the trucking 
industry, Chris recognized the un-met need for highly qualified, 
professional truck drivers and set about to establish a business to 
fill that void. In 1997, at the age of 23, with only $3,000 in cash, 
Chris started PDL out of his basement with only three drivers, 
including himself. The business recruits and trains its drivers, who 
are then placed with trucking companies who don't have enough drivers 
of their own, for a day, a week, or longer.
  The company took off, doing a half-million dollars in business its 
first year. Since that time, ProDriver's commitment to its customers 
and its employees has earned it a stellar reputation in the business. 
Its workforce is now approximately 100 employees, and the company 
earned almost $4 million in sales in 1999.
  Locally, PDL has been honored by the Milwaukee Metropolitan 
Association of Commerce as one of the ``Future 50'' companies the group 
has identified as major contributors to the economic health of the 
area. ProDriver was also named by the group as one of the five fastest 
growing companies in Milwaukee.
  Now the company is being recognized nationally, by the Small Business 
Administration (SBA), and they couldn't be more deserving. The hard 
work and dedication that Christopher Schmus has poured into his 
business for the last five years has paid off. I'm proud to recognize 
him today for his remarkable accomplishments and the honor he will 
receive from the SBA here in Washington. Congratulations to all of 
ProDriver's staff, and continued success in the future.

                          ____________________