TORONTO, (Nov. 12, 2004) — The Ontario Trucking Association honoured several trucking professionals at what is being billed the most successful convention in years.

The OTA opened its second convention day this morning by announcing that Darryl Samay, a dispatcher with Provider Transportation & Logistics Inc. in Ayr, Ont., has been named the 2004 Ontario Trucking Association/Cancom Tracking Dispatcher of the Year.

The award, sponsored by Cancom Tracking, goes to a dispatcher who has demonstrated a commitment to customer service, safety, driver well being, courtesy, team work, problem solving and community service/volunteer work.

When word got around that Provider Transportation was nominating Mr. Samay for the award, the company was bombarded with letters of support from drivers and customers, as well as management.

One driver wrote, “I would like to start by stating that I could not do a dispatcher’s job for any amount of money or recognition. The thought of trying to please dozens of people from customers to management to drivers does not appeal to me. Darryl does this with the appearance of ease, day in and day out…Darryl has always tried to accommodate any of the driver’s requests for time off to do things in their lives.”

Top driver:

Meanwhile, Wayne Dixon, a truck driver with Muskoka Transport Ltd. of Bracebridge who has driven over 3.2 million collision free kilometers during a 40 year professional driving career, was named the Ontario Trucking Association/Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year for 2004.

The annual award goes to a professional transport driver who has a collision-free driving record and is an exemplary truck driver both on and off the road.

“His professional approach to his job, his positive attitude and easy going personality make him a ‘cut above the rest,” said Paul Hammond, President, Muskoka Transport Ltd.

In addition to his impressive safety record, Mr. Dixon has won awards at three truck driving championships. He is also very involved in his community, having served as a volunteer firefighter and driving instructor for Vespra Township for 15 years, and coaching local youths in various sports activities. In 1986 he was awarded the Vespra Township Public Service Award.

Highway Hero:

Another driver who had his share of the spotlight these last two days was B.C. trucker Phil Tarrant, who was won the Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award.

Tarrant, an employee of Vedder Transport Ltd., in Abbotsford, B.C. was driving along Highway 7 between Maple Ridge and Mission on April 26 when a car in front of him lost control, struck a utility pole and flipped upside down, eventually landing in a water-filled ditch, with the car’s lone occupant trapped inside.

Swiftly realizing that the occupant was in danger of drowning, Tarrant drove his truck as close as possible to the partially submerged car and, with the help of a motorist who was also at the collision scene, hooked the crane’s line to the car. He proceeded to deftly guide the crane over the live power lines and lifted the car about four feet out of the water, so that the occupant could breathe until emergency personnel arrived.

“Phil Tarrant exhibited extraordinary poise and professionalism in a crisis situation,” said Jim West, District Manager, Commercial Products Eastern Canada for Bridgestone/Firestone.

Along with a trophy recognizing his achievement, Tarrant receives a $5,000 cheque from Bridgestone/Firestone Canada.