ST. LOUIS – Joe Schmelzle and Christina Allison have been named Man and Woman of the Year for 2005 by UniGroup, Inc., the parent company of United Van Lines, Mayflower Transit, and other transportation-related companies. The announcement was made by Richard H. McClure, president and chief operating officer of UniGroup.

Schmelzle and Allison were selected on the basis of professional performance and contributions to the achievement of corporate and departmental goals. The company has honored a Man and Woman of the Year annually since 1969.

Schmelzle joined the company 13 years ago. Prior to being named to his current position as senior director of agency development, customer service, and labor compliance, he held progressively responsible positions within the company, including corporate sales manager, director of operations, and director of agency development. Schmelzle serves on the board of directors for the Better Business Bureau.

Allison began her career at UniGroup in 1996 as a premium accounting clerk for Vanliner Insurance Company, a leading insurer of the moving and storage industry and company of UniGroup. Prior to being named to her current position as premium accounting supervisor, Allison held progressively responsible positions within Vanliner Insurance Company. She has a Certificate in General Insurance and an Associate in Insurance Services (AIS) designation from the Insurance Institute of America; a designation of Associate, Customer Service (ACS) from LOMA (Life Office Management Association); and a broker's license for Property & Casualty Insurance.

UniGroup, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest privately owned transportation companies. Its world headquarters offices are located in Fenton, Mo.