WHISTLER, B.C. — It took nearly four decades and 3.5 million miles, but Robert Fleming has earned the honor of Driver of the Year.

Fleming, a driver with Summit Logistics/Safeway, was presented with the 2009 BCTA/Volvo Driver of the Year Award during the B.C. Trucking Association’s management conference in Whistler, B.C. on June 13.

In 1964, Fleming got a job at Canada Safeway as a general clerk, but spent plenty of time at the loading docks talking to the truckers about what it was like to drive those large trucks. Fleming knew it was a career for him.

But it wasn’t until 1972 when Fleming was able to get on as a full-time driver with Macdonald’s Consolidated. As a condition of employment, Fleming was required to pass the government’s new air brake program and he was the first driver at the company to have to take the test. The stacks of books and manuals he was reading to prepare earned him the nickname ‘Professor’ from his fellow drivers, and it’s a nickname that still sticks today.

Fleming was also one of the first drivers to sign up for the training to receive his LCV license when Summit Logistics was testing Rocky Mountain Doubles between Burnaby and Kamloops.

He is also a recipient of the Million-Mile Award from the Canadian Fleet Supervisors Association.

“I’m humbled to be selected as driver of the year,” said Fleming. “I couldn’t do it without the background and support of a lot of people.”

SERVICE TO THE INDUSTRY

The BCTA also presented its 2009 Service to the Industry Award to Jack Bandstra, manager of Bandstra Transportation Systems.

Bandstra became a trucker in 1985, before buying into the family business in 1987. In addition to serving a term as BCTA chairperson, Bandstra has been a long-time member of the association’s Board of Directors and provided input on the Gateway Program, was actively involved in biodiesel issues, and is a member of the Trucking Climate Change Working Group.