OTA launching new program for future leaders at annual retreat

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TORONTO, Ont. — The Ontario Trucking Association will be launching a new program at the OTA Spring Board Retreat for future leaders of the industry to discuss issues that matter to them “openly and candidly,” the association has announced. The OTA Next Generation program, which will take place during the retreat in Muskoka May 30-31, will feature a leadership development program delivered by The Humphrey Group. OTA officials say the agenda has been designed for emerging, next-generation leaders and will focus on networking, relationship building, communication and other essential skills for leaders.

“Launching this program is important to the longevity of the OTA,” says John Foss of Trailcon Leasing. “Engaging the young members and up-and-comers is a crucial step forward. Empowering the next generation will hopefully generate a personal attachment to the organization.”

Scott Tilley, president of Tandet, is enthusiastic about involving next generation employees and hearing new ideas being shared among like-minded people in the industry. “There is a lot of history and great teachers in this industry. But change is the catalyst that brings advancement. The Nextgen program will implement changes in processes and help determine those changes that will allow the industry to move forward in the future. Some really good people have set some really good examples of what works. The Nextgen will learn from these and then provide new ideas of how to get even better. It is how an industry advances.”

Cody Hall of J & R Hall Transport added: “I’m looking forward to meeting  new people who have similar  interests and ideas and who deal with similar issues on a daily basis,” he says. “It is a tough industry and we all need to continue to work together in order to gain respect for the industry.”

Jeff Bryan, OTA chair and president of Jeff Bryan Transport, says the time has come for the trucking industry establishment to reach out and mentor the next generation of leaders:

“As someone who considers himself sort of in between the current band of executives and managers and the new generation of professionals, I believe that by reaching out to the future leaders we get fresh modern views. For us, the same old way might seem to be the correct way of doing things but there could be a completely more efficient approach. New eyes are always a good thing and this is our invitation to those people to come and express their views because we’re listening and also open to share our experiences as well.”

The opportunities for participants, adds Bryan, “will be endless.”

For more information on the program or the event itself, visit otaretreat.ca.

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