Harper Power Products has named Brian Husk the company’s new territory manager for Northern Ontario. The company said Husk will assume responsibilities for commercial, operational and strategic growth initiatives in the north. The Harper Power Products branches in Sudbury, Timmins and North Bay will be included in Husk’s territory, the company announced.

Husk has over 27 years of industry experience, including working with Strongco Equipment, Mack Trucks and Cummins.

“With Brian’s extensive background in the mining, construction, aggregate, forestry, highway and off-highway industries, he brings to our organization a new level of experience in sales, parts and service which are ideally suited to parallel our growth strategy in Northern Ontario,” said John Cosgrove, president and chief operating officer of Harper Power Products.

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NAL Insurance has announced that industry veteran Ray Haight has joined the company in an executive consultant role.

“Ray will be advising NAL with respect to a number of new ventures both in Canada and the US,” NAL Insurance announced. Haight has over 30 years trucking experience, most recently as president and COO of MacKinnon Transport. He founded his own trucking company, Southwestern Express in 1988 and later merged its operations with a growing MacKinnon. Haight recently served as chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association.

“We are honoured that Ray has joined the NAL team, his experience and reputation in the Industry will undoubtedly help NAL reach the next stage in our continued growth,” announced Gary Lindsay, president of NAL Insurance. “In addition, Ray’s strong work ethic and no-nonsense practicality is a perfect fit with the existing culture of NAL.”

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Raydan Manufacturing has announced Bill Baldassi has joined the team as national sales manager, chassis modifications.

Baldassi joined Raydan from Volvo Trucks Canada and Mack Trucks Canada, where he served as leasing manager. Prior to that, he worked for General Motors as commercial truck sales manager and has also worked elsewhere in the truck rental business.

“With our location in Alberta and our new facility in Ontario, Raydan Manufacturing is now better positioned to serve all North American customers with improved turnaround times and greater efficiencies,” Baldassi said of his new appointment.

He’s available by phone at 519-634-8006 or 416-528-8527 and via e-mail at bbaldassi@raydanmfg.com.

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Kevin Riley, senior director, distributor optimization with Maple Leaf Consumer Foods has been tapped as the next chair of the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (CTHRC).

Riley also chairs the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC).Roy Craigen of Transcom Fleet Services is stepping aside as chair of CTHRC – a role he filled for seven years.

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The trucking industry has lost a true old school professional driver. Gerald (Jerry) Ryan passed away March 22, 2009. Jerry had 42 years behind the wheel, driving for, among others, Union Carbide, SLH and most recently a good number of years with Highland Transport.

Jerry could always help you get down the road, with either physical help or just a good tale to help pass the miles. He certainly had a gift when it came to keeping you entertained. One of his old chums from the Union Carbide days noted at his funeral that “Jerry could always get the load through, no matter the weather or deadlines. When it was too tough for everyone else, it was just right for Jerry.” He is sorely missed and fondly remembered by all that knew him.

– Obituary submitted by Dave McCutcheon