Alberta carriers honor drivers, dispatcher & their own
BANFF, Alta. — The safest person in Alberta trucking for 2007 is Frank Garret of Mullen Trucking, according to the province’s largest trucking association.
The Alberta Motor Transport Association gave Garrett the 2007 Safety Person of the Year award, sponsored by Bow Valley Insurance Services, at its annual conference in Banff on Friday.
A former truck driver and auto body industry professional, Garrett says he’s seen his share of horrific highway accidents. Because of that, he spends much of his time teaching drivers how to prevent them in both over the road and oil field sectors.
MacDonald of McMillan Transport
In accepting his award, Garrett asked his industry colleagues to remember those killed or injured at the workplace as part of “International Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job,” which takes place today, April 28, 2007.
Top Driver:
Next, Perley MacDonald of Medicine Hat-based McMillan Transport was named the Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year, which is given annually at each provincial trucking association to a professional transport driver who has a collision-free driving record and is an exemplary truck driver both on and off the road.
A 35-year veteran of the industry, MacDonald has spent his last 32 years with McMillan, and the last 29 of those driving accident-free.
“If you pay attention to the road ahead, you’ll see disaster before it sees you,” is his stated motto.
Best Dispatcher:
Another McMillan man, Doug McDowell was named Canada’s 2006 Dispatcher of the Year by Shaw Tracking, the AMTA, and the Canadian Trucking Alliance for his commitment to dispatch excellence.
an award honoring the carrier started by his dad Guido.
Now retired, McDowell dispatched an estimated 225,000 loads during a career that spanned 45 years at McMillan.
“Doug was absolutely outstanding as a dispatcher,” says his former boss, Rod McMillan, president of McMillan Transport. “Many of the company’s drivers say they were raised by Doug.”
Added sponsor Shaw Tracking’s Mike Ham: “The most significant form of recognition is that of your peers and your customers, which is what this award is all about.”
Industry Pioneers:
Finally, some of Alberta’s most reputable and pioneering fleets were honored today by the AMTA and the American Truck Historical Society.
Introducing them was legendary Alberta trucking figure and author Paul M. Rubak, who recited company biographies before presenting the fleets’ current chief executives with the awards.
Accepting the prestigious awards were Guy Blasetti of Lethbridge-based BigHorn Transport with his mom Julia; Darshan Kailly of Calgary-based Canadian Freightways; and Don Bietz, CEO of Economy Carriers in Edmonton.
The award was formed by the AMHS to preserve the history of trucks, the trucking industry, and its pioneers.
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