Bison Transport driver Ralph Boles has been recognized for completing two million consecutive safe driving miles with the same company.

Bison Transport announced Boles is the third driver to reach the milestone with the company.

Boles has been with Bison since 1974 and currently drives between Winnipeg and B.C., the company says. He sits on Bison’s driver advisory board and is also an in-cab instructor.

“We congratulate Ralph on his achievement. As a professional driver and long-time friend, Ralph is a role model to all drivers,” said Garth Pitzel, director of safety and driver development with Bison Transport. “Through loyalty, hard work and a dedication to safety, he has achieved a milestone in which few achieve.”

•

Al Goodhall, professional driver, blogger and Truck News columnist, has been named Driver of the Year by the central chapter of the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association’s Fleet Safety Council.

Goodhall received the award at the association’s conference in late October. He was nominated by Paul Knill, general manager of J&R Hall Transport.

“Al is one of those drivers, if you want a driver’s point of view, ask him,” Knill said in his nomination letter. “He will give you a fair and honest answer from both sides, whether it is good or bad or what you want to hear or not -it will be a fair answer.”

Goodhall is involved in training and mentoring new hires at J&R Hall, has seven clean inspections under his belt and routinely receives clean monthly log reports, Knill said. When he has spare time on the road, he keeps fit by running and exercising. He also keeps an Over the Road blog and writes a monthly column for Truck News.

When he accepted the award, Goodhall credited his employer and support network.

“The fact is that I lead a solitary life in the physical sense only,” he said of life on the road. “I have a vast network of support behind me. That network starts with my co-workers at J&R Hall Transportation and the values of honesty, integrity and loyalty that our team brings to the table every day. It spreads from there to our customers, suppliers and professional organizations. To recognize me as Driver of the Year is to recognize all of the people that support me every day. I am truly thankful for this ongoing support.”

•

Ancra International has named Brian Larocque general manager of its Canadian division.

Larocque has served as Ancra’s Canadian sales manager for the past six years. He boasts 25 years of experience in the Canadian heavy-duty truck and trailer industry, including a 19-year stint with SAF-Holland Canada where he was involved in field sales and sales management, the company announced.

In his new role, Larocque will focus on the company’s strategic growth in the Canadian market, the company says. Larocque will also be responsible for Canadian sales management and will also oversee operations at Ancra’s Canadian facility.

•

The Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA) held its Annual General Meeting Oct. 16 and took the opportunity to honour some of its own.

Henry Thiessen, owner of T&T Trucking, was presented with the Service to Industry Award, sponsored by Shaw Tracking. Thiessen has more than 40 years experience in the trucking industry and the STA says he has achieved success thanks to his “decision to build the company on long-term contracts pledging commitment to customer service along with a hands-on approach to management.”

Driver Harvey Gording of Regina, Sask. was presented with the Volvo Trucks Canada-sponsored Driver of the Year award. Gording works for Reimer Express and routinely shows well during provincial and national truck driving championships.

Frontier Peterbilt sponsored the Dispatcher of the Year award, which went to Robert Funk of Q-Line Transport.

“Building and maintaining a successful company like T&T Trucking is no small feat. Henry’s reputation is one of hard work and fairness,” said STA president Glen Ertell, who also had kind words for Gording and Funk. “And both Reimer and Q-Line are fortunate to have great role models like Harv and Robert. These three men are worthy of our industry’s gratitude.”