TORONTO, Ont. — George Ledson, founder and president of Cavalier Transportation, was named the 2010 Shaw Tracking-OTA Service to Industry award winner at the Ontario Trucking Association’s convention last week.

Ledson has more than a half century of trucking experience under his belt and, according to the OTA, usually begins or ends a conversation with the words “I love trucking.”

Ledson got into the trucking biz as a credit clerk with Intercity Truck Lines about 53 years ago and over the next 20 years filled various roles with the company, including traffic manager, costing manager, terminal manager and vice-president of operations. He launched Cavalier Transportation in 1978, initially as a consulting company out of his home. Cavalier soon grew to include a load brokerage operation that continues today.

In 1985, Cavalier became a for-hire trucking company providing local cartage and regional service in the Greater Toronto Area and in 1990, Cavalier Logistics was created, including a large warehouse operation.

Today, Cavalier runs 85 trucks, 265 trailers and has 25,000 sq.-ft. of storage space.

Ledson has served on many association boards and committees as well as local charities.

“George exemplifies commitment, contribution, and dedication to the Ontario trucking industry and to OTA; he is a most deserving recipient,” said Shaw Tracking v.p. Mike Ham.

Added OTA chief David Bradley: “George is passionate about the trucking industry and is one of the most respected people in the business.”