BANFF, Alta. — The Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) paid tribute to one of its most devoted, appreciative, and gregarious members at last week’s annual convention.

Gene Orlick, an AMTA past president and now director-at-large on the newly-elected board, received a standing ovation from convention attendees before he was awarded the  Service to the Industry honour, which was presented by Domenic Tesone of Dalton Timmis Insurance.

In his presentation, Tesone spoke about the history of Orlick Transport, and noted that the company has been synonymous with trucking in Alberta for over six decades. The first Orlick Transport was owned by Orlick’s uncle Tom, who once retired, endorsed the same company name to be used for a new entity in 1995, operated by the younger Orlick.

Long before developing his own business, Orlick was encouraged to become involved with the AMTA by his father Max and uncle at the first Orlick Transport. That initial nudge left a lasting impression. Over the years, Orlick has contributed to numerous AMTA fundraising campaigns, membership drives, safety initiatives and enforcement issues – including serving on the AMTA executive board, the association recalled.

“This weekend, Gene is stepping down as president of the AMTA, after serving three admirable years,” said Tesone. “He believes his term went smoothly thanks to the hard work of his predecessors who had ‘set the table’ for him and the rest of the executive, and for that he is appreciative.”

One success that occurred during his presidency that is a source of pride for Orlick, is the establishment of the AMTA’s Centre of Excellence, which broke ground just a couple of days ago. Orlick is also proud of the AMTA’s contribution to improved cooperation between government and industry, which resulted in benefits for the trucking industry.

Tesone noted that Orlick has one regret about receiving the AMTA award, and that is the absence at the convention of an important industry mentor. John Tessier, the recently deceased safety advocate, had was a good friend of Orlick’s.

Orlick also credits his family, especially his wife and business partner, for the company’s success. For the last 15 years of the couple’s 25-year marriage, the pair worked side-by-side at the trucking company and at home, including commuting together between those two places, said Tesone.

“Gene says putting up with him 24/7 for that length of time speaks volumes for the kind of person Nancy is,” said Tesone.