BANFF, Alta. — The recipient of this year’s AMTA Associated Trades Award was Dwayne Warawa, branch manager for Ocean Trailer in Edmonton.

Warawa has been involved with the trucking industry for over 21 years, according to AMTA president Richard Warnock, who presented the award. Warawa’s involvement with the AMTA coincided with his joining Ocean Trailer. About five years ago, he became more involved by helping to organize the Edmonton Draw Down committee and the golf committees.

Warawa’s first mentor was his father, who was a salesman for Acklands for 38 years. Their paths crossed from time to time in business, according to the AMTA president, and Warawa was always impressed with his father’s positive attitude and the amount of respect he had earned from clients and competitors alike.

Warawa also saluted Sid and Mike Keay from Ocean Trailer, from whom he has learned about integrity, building relationships and treating people with respect, stated Warnock. However, it’s obvious that the AMTA appreciates many of those same virtues, in Warawa.

“What motivates an individual, who works hard at his career all day long, to put in so many after-hour volunteer hours?” asked the new AMTA president. “Dwayne says he simply enjoys the service industry so much, adding not many people enjoy waking up every morning because they look forward to going to work, but he does. He adds, ‘My enjoyment comes from trying to make a difference.’”