After 6.6 million collision-free kilo-metres over a 40-year period as a commercial truck driver, Burton “Bud” Rush, was named the 2008 CTA/Volvo Trucks Canada National Driver of the Year.

The Oakbank, Man. resident drives for Armstrong Moving and Storage (a division of United Van Lines Canada).

During his 40 years on the road, Rush has not only earned an outstanding safety record, he has also shared his knowledge of first aid with the travelling public.

The truck driver has been the first to arrive at many accident scenes, and more than once saved a life or provided comfort to an accident victim.

A Manitoba dispatcher was also recognized with a national award at the same ceremony. Janet Murray of Warren, Man., an employee with Payne Transportation, was selected as the CTA/Shaw Tracking National Dispatcher of the Year.

Murray got her start in the road transportation industry 13 years ago when she obtained her truck driving licence so she could join her husband, a long-distance truck driver, on the road as a team driver.

After a period of time as a truck driver, the one-time nurses’ aide and administrative assistant, moved into the operations side of the trucking industry, where she earned the respect as a dispatcher.

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Consolidated Fastfrate Inc. has announced that Peter Marshall has been named president and chief executive of Consolidated Fastfrate and its subsidiaries, effective immediately. Ron Tepper will become the company’s executive chairman and focus on the growth and strategic direction of Fastfrate.

Marshall has broad experience in the North American transportation and logistics industry.

Most recently, he held a senior executive role with CN Rail. His background also includes extensive sales and marketing experience with Imperial Oil Ltd. He holds a business degree from Queen’s University.

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Haldex Canada has appointed Todd Bourque as the company’s new Canadian OEM trailer sales manager and Jack Shantz as its Canadian OES market manager.

The company announced the promotions are part of its “constant effort to meet the changing needs of our customer base and fully cover all Canadian markets.”

Bourque will be responsible for developing sales opportunities with heavy-duty OE trailer manufacturers and fleets across Canada, with the goal of increasing market share and profitability, the company announced.

He will continue to serve as district manager for Eastern Canada in the immediate future.

Shantz will be tasked with working with customers and warehouse distributors as well as OE trailer manufacturers and fleets in Ontario.

He will support the OES dealer market across Canada, Haldex says. •