Mark Diamantopoulos has been named vice-president of sales development for Provincial Trailer Rentals (PTR).

Diamantopoulos will play a key role in developing solutions that integrate the full scope of the company’s services with select accounts across Canada, the company announced. Diamantopoulos most recently worked for Wabash Trailers Canada, where he served as vice-president of sales and marketing.

He now boasts 15 years of sales management and industry experience. PTR says Diamantopoulos will work closely with regional vice-presidents Steve Nash (Ontario), Richard Harvey (Eastern) and Craig Goodmurphy (Western). Diamontopoulos can now be reached at markd@ptr.ca.

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Bill Buckham, owner of Buckham Transport, passed away Feb. 3 at the age of 52 following a battle with cancer. Buckham was active in the industry and once served as an Ontario Trucking Association board member. Condolences can be sent to: Catherine Buckham; 1660 Mount Pleasant Road; Cavan, Ont.; L0A 1C0; cavanlea@nexicom.net.

According to a tribute in the Peterborough Examiner, Buckham owned his trucking company since the age of 19 when he took it over after the sudden death of his father.

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The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) has a new executive director.

Jean-Marc Picard, a native of Edmunston, N.B., joins the association to manage its affairs and help advance the interests of its members. He replaces Peter Nelson, who vacated the position Aug. 26.

Picard graduated from the University of Moncton in 1995 with a Bachelor in Business Administration. He then worked for CN in Montreal and transferred to its operations in Winnipeg and then Calgary, where he spent 10 years. Picard has held various roles within CN’s transportation and logistics operations and also worked for a major fertilizer manufacturer.

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Julie Tanguay, former president of L.E. Walker Transport has stepped down as chairperson of the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA).

Tanguay had served as OTA chair since November 2008. L.E. Walker Transport was acquired by MacKinnon Transport in August, but Walker was placed under creditor protection on Dec. 8.

“I do not want the recent changes in my business circumstances to become a distraction for OTA and I am therefore stepping aside as the OTA chairperson, effective immediately,” Tanguay said in a release Jan. 19. The OTA says Mark Seymour, president of Kriska Transportation will serve as acting chairman.