Now Hiring: Marketing and Communications Coordinator |
VMC Golf Tournament August 25 |
National Professional Truck Driving Championship September 16-18 |
|
May 27 |
 |
The Manitoba Trucking Association offers a number of training courses to members and nonmembers. M.T.A. members receive a reduced price on most courses and seminars. |
JUNE 2010
MTA-Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year Winner Announced
The winner of the 2010 MTA-Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year was announced at the 2010 MTA Driver Awards Banquet, held on Saturday, June 26. This year’s winner was Bill Gagnon of Big Freight Systems Inc.
Kevin Schers (right) of Volvo Trucks Canada presents Bill Gagnon (left) with his award.
Bill began his career 43 years ago as a truck driver with the Canadian Armed Forces. He worked as a driver in the military until 1983, at which time he moved into the trucking industry.
Bill has been described by Adrian Van Rassel, Operations/CC Planner with Big Freight Systems Inc, as “courteous and on-time, all the time”, as someone who “goes out of his way to make himself available for any jobs”. Bill has a customer-first attitude, but is also a strong team player. He is willing to help new drivers to the company, and is willing to lend a hand to drivers when it comes to securing and tarping their loads. He has a great relationship with his dispatch team and other office staff.
However, there is more to this year’s winner than driving a truck. Labeled “the consummate outdoorsman”, he loves to fish, hunt, hike, camp, and garden. Like most drivers, he loves to be home for days off to take part in these activities with his family. He also plays baseball and soccer with his kids, and enjoys carpentry projects and working around the house. His family – wife Tisha and six kids - is extremely important to Bill, and his time at home is very valuable to him.
He is still averaging 110,000 miles annually. He currently works as a highway/long-haul driver, and he also has experience driving on winter/bush roads. He drives coast to coast in Canada. He has taken a number of training courses, including training in PDIC & LCV, WHMIS, Adverse Conditions Training, Basic First Aid, PIP and C-TPAT training, TDG, hours of service, cargo securement, air brake adjustment, and winter driving, among others.
The MTA-Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year Award is presented annually to a deserving driver. The pool of nominees for this award comes from the recipients of the MTA-Customs Truck Sales Inc. Industry Excellence Award winner. The winner of the MTA-Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year Award is also nominated for the CTA/Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year Award.
2010 Manitoba Professional Truck Driving Championship Recognizes Top Drivers
Thirty-six drivers competed at Peterbilt Manitoba Ltd. on Saturday, June 26 for recognition as one of Manitoba’s top professional commercial drivers. Drivers in six classes – step van, straight truck, single-single, single-tandem, tandem-tandem, and Super B train – participated in three different tests (written test, pre-trips/defects, and the track) throughout the course of the day.
Winners from the 2010 event include:
- Step van: Robert Archambault (Bison Transport)
- Straight truck: John Klassen (WM Dyck & Sons)
- Single-single: Brian Hrabarchuk (Con-Way Freight Canada)
- Single-tandem: Rob Trager (YRC Reimer)
- Tandem-tandem: Howard McAfee (H&T Trucking)
- Super B train: Ken Wiebe (EBD Enterprises)
These six drivers will represent Team Manitoba at the 2010 National Professional Truck Driving Championship, held this year in Winnipeg September 16-19.
The event was capped off with the annual Driver Awards Banquet. All six winners from the driving championship were recognized for their efforts. Further awards that were presented include:
First Time Entrant: David Bielski (Con-Way Freight Canada)
David Bielski (left) of Con-Way Freight Canada receives his award from Darren Christle of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation (right).
Team Award: Team Con-Way
Darren Christle of Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation presents Team Con-Way their award.
Grand Champion: Howard McAfee (H & T Trucking)
Allan Smeall (right) presents the Grand Champion, Howard Mcafee (left) with his award.
Bjornson Memorial: Ken Wiebe (EBD Enterprises)
As well, the 2010 MTA-Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year was awarded. This year’s recipient is Bill Gagnon of Big Freight Systems, Inc. Gagnon was one of seven recipients of the 2009 MTA-Custom Truck Sales Inc Industry Excellence Award. Winners of the 2010 MTA-Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year award are chosen from this pool of nominees. With over 43 years driving experience and no accidents, Gagnon is an asset to any fleet. He has a wide variety of driving experience, from bush/winter roads to highway driving across North America. He began his career as a driver with the Canadian Armed Forces prior to moving into the trucking industry.
MTA ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT
The Manitoba Trucking Association Board of Directors elected Tom Payne, Jr., of Payne Transportation LP, as its new president at a board meeting on June 22.
Payne will be taking over the reins from outgoing President, Susan Snyder of Searcy Trucking Ltd. Snyder has resigned her position for family reasons; however, she has greatly enjoyed her tenure as MTA president. “There are some really great people associated with the Manitoba Trucking Association, and I feel privileged to have worked with them. At the same time, I am looking forward to this new and very exciting chapter in my life. I know that Tom will make an excellent president, and I hope that his time as president is as enjoyable as mine was.”
On his part, Payne is looking forward to his upcoming role as MTA president. “We are turning a corner economically and face a number of challenges as we move ahead. With challenge, though, is opportunity, and I think that we are well-positioned to take advantage of those opportunities in our industry. There has been a lot of work going on with the Manitoba Trucking Association, and I am very excited to serve in the role of President with a great team that shares our vision and goals.”
MTA GOLF TOURNAMENT A SUCCESS
On Wednesday, June 16, 204 golfers headed out to Bel Acres Golf and Country Club for the MTA Associated Trades annual golf tournament.
The morning started out with a breakfast sponsored by the Associated Trades. The tournament began at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start and everyone took pleasure in seeing the weather cooperate this year. All participants enjoyed lunch sponsored by Beaver Truck Centre, and drinks from the friendly faces at the AON sponsored tent. As teams finished their round of golf, they gathered in the banquet room in the early evening for the awards dinner. Teams enjoyed an excellent steak dinner, and everyone was in great spirits, having enjoyed a beautiful day out in the sun.
Thanks to all our sponsors and we hope to see you out again next year!
MAY 2010
Canada Road Safety Week Supported by Manitoba’s Trucking Industry
Winnipeg- May 18, 2010 - Yesterday marked the beginning of Canada Road Safety Week, a national campaign designed to increase public compliance with and awareness of safe driving measures and, ultimately, to save lives. The Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) is taking the opportunity to remind drivers of safe driving practices for sharing the road with trucks.
Professional truck drivers share their workplace with thousands of motorists, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The long weekend coming up kicks off a season of trips to the lake, cabins, and road trips for Manitoban families.
The MTA has come up with some tips for drivers. Click here to read them all.
 |
Manitoba Trucking Association Telephone: (204) 632.6600 Fax: (204) 694.7134 info@trucking.mb.ca |
