Labatt driver tops in Ontario
TORONTO, Ont. – George Smagala, a professional transport driver with Labatt Breweries Ontario, has been named the 2001 Ontario Trucking Association (OTA)/Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year.
A professional transport driver for 25 years, Smagala has accumulated four million collision-free kilometres. The award was presented during the opening ceremony of the 2001 OTA convention.
He is also a past member of the OTA Road Knights Team, a select group of truck drivers who share their knowledge of how all road users can be partners in safety with transport trucks. As a Road Knight, Smagala delivered hundreds of presentations to community groups, business clubs, and car driving schools.
Smagala has an impressive career as a professional truck driver having driven a combination of city and highway routes, and over the years, has won many company and industry awards for safe driving.
“George Smagala’s outstanding driving record, and his dedication to safety exemplify the commitment to road safety made by Ontario’s professional truck drivers,” says David Bradley, OTA president. “but it is in the way he goes about his day to day work – both on and off the road – that makes him stand out.”
Smagala helps to train new company drivers, and has been involved in the research and development of driving and other safety programs at Labatt. He is also involved in numerous industry safety organizations.
“Labatt is extremely proud of George’s many accomplishments and we congratulate him on winning this prestigious award,” says John Brown, Labatt’s Toronto transportation manager. “Over the years, we have received numerous calls from both customers and motorists praising George’s commitment to safe trucking and it is this passion that makes George a role model for road safety.”
This year’s selection committee included representatives from the OTA, the OPP, the Ministry of Transportation, Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario (THSAO) and Truck News.
“Although my name is on this award there are literally thousands who deserve this and I’m proud to be their representative,” Smagala says.
“Having the right employer that believes in recognizing its drivers is the key.”
In a short, but heart-felt speech, the trucker thanked his father for teaching him the ways of the road and managed to choke back his tears of joy long enough to invite the senior Smagala up on stage to share a hug in front of the thousands of attending delegates.
Smagala receives a $300 cash prize and a personal trophy courtesy of Volvo Trucks Canada Inc.
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I am a grade 12 Gambian national working for the US Peace Corps office for the past eleven years as a driver, who started his career very early in my teens because my family are career drivers. I have a clean record with a host of experience ranging from mails, documents, vegetable sales and delivery, cement, rice, equipment, fuel and general cargo driver. My greatest joy is in the extra mile I take both in keeping up the integrity and financial life of my company, as I sometimes single handedly monopolizes the vegetable delivery market, through commitment, honesty, dedication and an excellent customer care approach. I serve to expedite the custom clearance documents for goods through border crossing points.
I have a very good knowledge of vehicle safety, cleaning, maintenance, pre, enroute and post-service inspection, and am accustomed to several cultural and language diversities, with French inclusive among others. I can do a lot of minor maintenance works as deemed necessary.
I have a very good IT and communication skills, fluent in French and English and a committed team player, who loves challenges and working through them.
I have a very good knowledge of the Gambia and the neighboring countries
As driving is as important as any other job, I use the opportunity to learn more mechanical and defensive, skills through online video and other resources to update my capacity and make myself relevant in the field.
I am a dedicated, honest, hardworking and committed person, with a clear understanding of western cultures and ethics. I can respond to unpopular shifts, or to fill in for absences whenever the need arises without delay or complaints. I can both work in a team and individually, and I do not partake in alcohol or drug use.
My understanding of US Volunteer needs over the years, coupled with over loaded tasks accomplishments, and my desire to learn new and relevant information in order to better serve beyond all expectation, will be of great advantage to the success of your company. I am confident, looking at my past achievements, if offered the job in question I will perform greatly and will prove beyond reasonable doubt that I am worthy of the job.
Whilst I wait for your due consideration, I would like to thank you in advance for your time and efforts in transforming this great company into a model in the region. I am available to start at your earliest convenience and will whole heartedly love to serve your company with all respect and ability.
Yours faithfully,
Peter Robert Gassama,
bertro2002@gmail.com