TORONTO, Ont. — In conjunction with OTAs 81st annual convention, long-time trucking industry participants were inducted into the OTA Pioneer and Half-Century clubs. New members were welcomed at a breakfast at the Toronto Congress Centre on Friday. Members of the Pioneer Club are individuals who have 25 or more years of service in the industry, while Half-Century Club members have 50 or more years of involvement in the industry.

When people think about our industry, the first thing that comes to mind is equipment trucks and trailers. But what makes this industry special is not its equipment but its people. This is an industry that offers opportunity from the ground up and this years inductees to the Pioneer and Half-Century clubs exemplify how a new entrant to our industry can start at an entry level position and work his or her way to the top, said OTA president, David Bradley

The following individuals were welcomed into the OTA Pioneer and Half-Century clubs:

Pioneer Club:

-Dave MacDonald, regional manager signature service, Markel Insurance Company of Canada
-Rick Morgan, operations and safety manager, Steed Standard Transport
-Kim Richardson, president of KRTS Transportation Specialists
-Bob Smith, manager of safety at Mackie Moving Systems
-Donald Tait, fleet manager for Natrel.

Half Century Club:

-George Ledson, president of Cavalier Transportation Services
-Kenneth Nixon, manager, national accounts, for the Rosedale Group.