BANFF, Alta. – Dean Paisley exemplifies dedication.

It’s for that reason the Alberta Motor Transport Association chose to commemorate the outgoing AMTA president’s achievements with the prestigious 2011 Service to the Industry Award during the group’s closing dinner at its annual meeting in Banff.

Paisley got his start in trucking in 1966, hauling livestock in Saskatchewan. In 1973 he and his wife Deana moved to Alberta and joined the respected carrier H&R Transport as an owner-op.

It wasn’t long before president Al Foder recognized Paisley’s smarts and promoted him to an office job in Operations.

With a developed fondness for management work, Paisley went on to start his own company in 1989, Lethbridge Truck Terminal, which he ran for 22 years.

As the recent president of the AMTA, Paisley was instrumental for finding a replacement for retired executive director Mayne Root.

Paisley says new manager Don Wilson, a former owner-op and driver training and exam official with Alberta Transport, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the AMTA.

Reflecting on some of his achievements as president of the AMTA, Paisley is most fond of being part of the regulatory harmonization process the three most western provinces; as well as expanding the Partners in Compliance program into B.C., Saskatchewan and Montana.

However, Paisley’s term wasn’t without frustrations. At the top of his "hair pulling" list is the myriad of trucking regulations, administered by bureaucrats who, while they might be well intentioned, no little about the realities of trucking.

He likes to say that to carry around the book of trucking regulations for Alberta alone, "you’d better own a half-ton."

Paisley, who is succeeded as president by Carl Rosenau of Rosenau Transport, says he plans to take some time with the family and golf.

TRADESMAN AWARDED

The AMTA conference wrapped up with the 2011 Associate Trades Award, which went to Darrel Shire of Kal Tire in Edmonton.

Shire was recognized for his dedication to the AMTA, whether volunteering to spearhead events or playing an active role with the Associates Trades division.

Shire, who has been with Kal Tire for 38 years, thanked his company for supporting his efforts with AMTA, both morally and financially.