WARRENVILLE, Ill. — International has recognized the best of the best at its 26th Annual Circle of Excellence black-tie awards ceremony, held at the Four Seasons Resort Wailea, Maui, Hawaii.

Gerald Tallman, dealer principal at Kemptville Truck Centre in Kemptville, Ont. received International’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to those dealers whose consistent record of achievement and humanity throughout the course of their career has clearly provided a role model of excellence while enriching the value of the International brand among their customers and communities.

“Gerald Tallman’s quiet, unassuming personal demeanor masks his very aggressive business character when it comes to attacking his marketplace,” said John Whitnell, International’s vice-president, dealer operations. “He is a dominant force in his area of responsibility and his dealership has a record of consistent excellence.”

In 2004, Kemptville Truck Centre earned the highest rating in North America from International’s Diamond Standards program. Tallman has also been a strong leader in his community, having actively supported the Canadian Cancer Society, the Ottawa Heart Institute and numerous other community service organizations throughout Eastern Ontario.

“It is very exciting to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award,” Tallman said. “Over the years, International has given me and my family numerous opportunities to grow our business. Right from the start, this has been a business that involved my whole family and that makes winning this award even more special. I attribute our success to our outstanding group of employees, now numbering 262, who provide excellent service to our loyal customers on a daily basis.”

Another award recipient was Tom Thayer of International Truck Sales of Richmond in Richmond, Va. who brought home the 2005 Dealer of the Year award. Thayer is the seventh recipient of this prestigious honour, awarded annually based on strict performance criteria to only one of themore than 350 International dealers and distributors throughout the world.

“Our annual Dealer of the Year recognizes the ‘best of the best’from a very elite group,” Whitnell said. “It is a rigorous test that ensures only the cream rises to the top.”

Winners must be consistent Circle of Excellence honorees, achieve extraordinary market penetration in new truck sales, realize strong growth in parts sales,demonstrate strong commitment to the leasing business, earn top customer satisfaction scores, and have a facility plan that effectively represents the International brand, according to Whitnell.

“On behalf of the employees of International Truck Sales of Richmond, I’m honoured to receive this award from International,” Thayer said. “Each day, our team strives to create loyal relationships by providing measurable service excellence in our marketplace. With their dedication and strong work ethic, we’ve earned the Dealer of the Year award — a true recognition of all the successful relationships we’ve built with our customers in Virginia.”