Each week, TruckNews.com lists notable moves, promotions and awards in the trucking industry.

This week, Private Motor Truck Council of Canada’s Young Leaders Group donated to Trucks for Change, and The Transport Project (TTP) has elected new officers to oversee its operations through 2026, including Marty Tufte, corporate fleet director at Waste Management (WM), who will serve as chairman. Grote Industries welcomed Jim Haremza as director of operations for its Star Safety Technologies division.

PMTC Young Leaders Group donates $550 to T4C

The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC)’s Young Leaders Group (YLG) celebrated the holiday season with a virtual cocktail party, raising funds for the Trucks for Change (T4C) network.

The online event provided an opportunity for members to network and give back, with donations from attendees matched by the PMTC, resulting in a $550 contribution to the charitable organization.

PMTC YLG chairman Sud Malhotra said in a news release, “Trucks For Change is a great industry initiative that has a significant impact in helping Canadian communities by coordinating charitable goods deliveries, and our Group is honored to give back in this meaningful way.”

Betsy Sharples, executive director of Trucks for Change, added, “We really appreciate the support of PMTC and its Young Leaders Group. Every dollar makes a difference and allows us to continue supporting the important work that our charitable partners undertake to help communities across the country.”

Haremza joins Grote Industries

Grote Industries has announced the appointment of Jim Haremza as director of operations for its Star Safety Technologies division in Avon, N.Y.

Haremza brings over 20 years of manufacturing operations experience in industries including sporting goods, dental equipment, and packaging. He has held roles with companies such as Crosman Corporation and the Steris/Hu-Friedy Group.

“The talent and experience Jim brings to Grote make him a perfect addition to our team,” said chief operations officer John Grote. “His lean leadership and proven customer-first approach will help us continue to support both our team at Star Safety Technologies and our customers.”

TTP elects new officers, Marty Tufte named chairman through 2026

The Transport Project (TTP) — formerly the Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance — has elected new officers to oversee its operations through 2026. Marty Tufte, corporate fleet director at Waste Management (WM), will serve as chairman, leading the organization’s efforts to decarbonize North America’s transportation sector.

Tufte, based in Phoenix, Ariz., brings nearly four decades of experience at WM, where he oversees the company’s equipment performance and alternative fuel vehicle programs, including natural gas, RNG, battery electric, hydrogen, and hybrids, according to a news release.

Joining Tufte on the executive team are Michael Zimmerman, general manager of Cummins Clean Fuel Technologies, as vice-chairman; Jared Hightower, senior vice-president, commercial at ANGI Energy Systems, as treasurer; and Mitchell Pratt, chief technology development officer of Clean Energy Fuels, as past chairman.

TTP president Daniel Gage and secretary Jeffrey Clarke will continue in their roles, with Clarke also serving as vice-president of regulatory and government affairs and general counsel.

The executive committee has also added at-large members: Charlie Ker, senior director of business development for Westport Fuel Systems; Ashley Remillard, senior vice-president of legal and government affairs at Hexagon; and Jennifer Stokes, key account manager at CenterPoint Energy.

TTP is a coalition of approximately 200 fleets, manufacturers, service providers, and fuel producers working to advance the decarbonization of the transportation industry.