TORONTO, Ont. — David Bradley has announced he will step down from his role as president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) and Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) at the end of next year.

He has been with the organizations for more than 30 years, having joined the OTA as director of economics in 1985. He was promoted to president of the OTA at the age of 33 six years later.

The CTA was formed in 1997 under Bradley’s watch and he has served in the dual role as president of both CTA and OTA ever since.

In a letter to OTA chairman Scott Tilley, Bradley said, “It is with some amazement, but always with appreciation, that I think back on what a leap of faith it was back in 1991 to have entrusted such a young guy to represent such an incredible and important industry.”

“While I have loved dealing with the issues, it is the people I have had the pleasure to get to know, to work with and to learn from – the members, the staff and all the other characters I have come across in government, the media, etc. – that have made coming to work every day so energizing and rewarding. I have been truly blessed.”

In a letter to CTA chairman Mark Seymour, Bradley expressed similar sentiments: “I am humbled by the trust placed in me and hope I have been worthy of it. The role – for me it has always been more than a job – has its challenges and requires certain sacrifices, but the rewards are enormous. Getting to know the industry and Canada has been an amazing experience. Being able to view our industry through an international lens has led me to the unequivocal conclusion that Canadian carriers are second to none in service, innovation, safety and environmental stewardship.”

Bradley says it will be “business as usual” as he continues to represent the organizations through to the end of 2017.