ST. JOHN’S, Nfld. – There were no surprises when the Newfoundland and Labrador Carriers Association (NALCA) named its new board of directors at its annual general meeting April 17.

Gord Peddle of D.D. Transport is returning as president for the association.

The rest of the 2004 executive is as follows: Gerry Dowden of East Can Transport is the past president; Bob LeDrew Jr. of Bob LeDrew and Sons Moving and Storage is the secretary/treasurer; Greer Hunt of Hunt’s Transport is the eastern director; Marvin Way of Way’s Transport is the western director; Francis McNeil of Jayco Transport is the central director; Tony Powell of Clarke Road Transport is the Labrador director; Bob Baker of Day and Ross, Don Bursey of Bursey Trucking and Lorne Quinn of Quinnsway Transport are general directors; Wilbert Collins of the Newfoundland and Labrador Independent Truckers Association is the owner/operator director; Ray Hiscock of Parts for Trucks is the associate trades director and Trina Furey of D.D. Transport is the secretary and events coordinator.

NALCA held its annual general meeting at the St. John’s Convention Centre. This was the first year it employed a convention-style approach and organizers say it went off without a hitch.

“It was great, we had about 40 members attend the meeting and about 70 people showed up for the events we held in the evenings and everyone seemed to enjoy it. We got a great response, so we are planning the same thing for next year only bigger and better,” said Peddle.

NALCA was formed four years ago to address and improve the road transportation industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

After hearing talks from Ralph Boyd, president, and LeeAnn McConnell, chairwoman of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, the group discussed a number of issues that face carriers and drivers in the province.

Boyd discussed the industry’s image and the cost of doing business and McConnell spoke to the group about the human resource issues the industry is facing and will continue to face from both a provincial and a federal level.

The association has committed to being vocal on the problems with the marine services, workers compensation and insurance, said Peddle.

“We feel most of the important issues we discussed have been slated with an action plan for the association to follow,” said Peddle. “On the whole, it was very encouraging to see so many industry people come out to the AGM – it tells me the industry is alive and well in Newfoundland and Labrador.”