SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Bruno Muller, CEO of tanker carrier Caron Transportation Systems of Sherwood Park, Alta, has been named chairman of the board of directors of the Canadian Trucking Alliance for the 2008-10 term.

CTA, which made the announcement today at the annual spring meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz., described the outspoken Muller as “a visionary leader” who built his specialty bulk commodities hauler into one of the most successful carriers in Western Canada.

Muller, who succeeds Claude Robert of Robert Transport as chairman, started his career in the trucking industry in 1978 when he began working in the small courier sector as a driver-dispatcher. In 1991 he and a partner bought the company and in the following years, he made numerous strategic acquisitions of bulk, aggregate and warehousing operations.

A fixture on the CTA board of directors since its inception ten years ago and a member of its executive committee for the past six years, Muller’s chairmanship comes at a pivotal point for the CTA, the group note sin a press release.

While conceding that there are different economic circumstances confronting the industry across the country and between sectors of the industry, Muller says that “CTA is the one forum that brings everyone together and we all share a common vision to make our industry better.”

David Bradley, CEO of the Alliance calls Muller “an ideal steward for CTA at this point in the Alliance and the industry’s history.

Muller says he’s deeply committed to addressing
the professional driver shortage problem in Canada.

“Bruno,” he continues, “is a dynamic and progressive leader. He is well known for his trademark style in which he provides thoughtful strategic direction while empowering those who work on his team with great responsibility. This will dovetail extremely well in his role with CTA.”

The new chairman says among other issues, he’s deeply committed to addressing the driver shortage by attracting a new generation of Canadians to the trucking industry.

Meanwhile, the CTA also announced its new board of directors lineup.

Paul Easson, Easson’s Transport Ltd., Berwick, N.S. is First Vice Chairman, while Scott Johnston of Siemens Group of Companies in Saskatoon was elected Second Vice Chairman. (Johnston was formerly with the Yanke Group of Companies).

Mark Seymour, Kriska Transportation, Prescott, Ont. was named Secretary, while the Treasurer role went to Don Streuber, Bison Transportation Ltd., Winnipeg.