ST. JOHN’S, Nfld. — Five annual awards were doled out at the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association’s 53rd annual convention Oct. 22 to 25 at the Fairmont Newfoundland.

Georges Leblanc, a truck driver with over 32 years commercial driving experience and over 3.5 million accident-free miles under his belt was named 2003 Driver of the Year. Leblanc is from Memramcook, N.B. and has driven for Armour Transportation Systems for his entire driving career.

The 2003 APTA Safety to Motor Transportation Award was presented to Diana Ross, who has served in the safety and compliance department of Clarke Road Transport in Halifax, N.S. for the past five years. Ross, of Gays River, N.S., is a key volunteer for the Atlantic Professional Driving Championships and is a member of Loss Control and Occupational Health and Safety committees.

Lewisporte, Nfld.-native, Wilbert Collins was awarded the 2003 Good Samaritan Award for his outstanding leadership role in organizing the Teddy Bear Convoy for the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s, Nfld. Collins invested a great amount of his time and money to establish a truck convoy of over 60 trucks which raised over $16,000 for the hospital. Collins is a driver for Tramsco Inc., and is a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Carriers Association.

Glen Dowden of St. John’s, Nfld. was presented the 2003 Dispatcher of the year award. Dowden has been a dispatcher with East Can Transport Services of St. John’s, Nfld. for the past 11 years. He has earned the respect and cooperation of his entire fleet as he, in turn, treats everyone with the utmost respect and consideration. He is dedicated and committed to his drivers by being available to them 24/7, and goes well beyond the call of duty for them.

The 2003 Service to Industry Award was awarded to Randall MacIntee, president of R.E.M. Transport of St. Stephen, N.B. This award is given annually to an individual who has made an outstanding commitment to the well being of the trucking industry over the past year. MacIntee has been actively involved with the APTA for a number of years, and continues to be and active partner in the trucking industry.