TORONTO — A man who has overseen the maintenance of one of the biggest fleets in the country was named the Canadian Fleet Maintenance Manager of the year Thursday in Toronto at the 45th annual Canadian Fleet Maintenance Seminar (CFMS).

Dan Cushing of Ryder Canada and his wife Audrey were on hand at the CFMS’s wrap-up lunch and Cushing was presented with the prestigious award by Volvo Canada’ Service Marketing Manager Don Coldwell.

This presentation marks the 20th anniversary of the fleet maintenance manager award. To be eligible, the winner must look after a fleet of at least 25 trucks and have a minimum of five years’ experience, three of which must be as a full-time manager or director.

He or she must be responsible for spec’ing and maintenance and involved with the community in general and be an advocate for the industry.The winners are chosen by a panel of trade journalists and past winners.

Cushing, who said he was surprised by the award Thursday, has worked for Ryder for 28 years.

In making the presentation, Volvo’s Coldwell says he has personally known Cushing for more than 30 years and said of the fleet manager: “he walks the talk. He shares his knowledge openly and honestly and he’s a mentor for those individuals who will shape the future of our industry.”

Cushing has been an active member the Ontario Trucking Association’s maintenance council. He has also served on the Ontario Ministry of Education’s advisory committee for truck and coach apprenticeships and he’s involved in job fairs, student counseling, and other industry activities.

When the judges were discussing Cushing, Coldwell said, “one word that came up over and over is ‘passion.’ He has a sincere passion for his profession.

"He is well respected by his peers and colleagues.”

As fleet maintenance boss for Ryder, Cushing is responsible for more than 10,000 pieces of equipment, which includes more than 4,000 class 8 trucks, almost 7,000 straight trucks, and about 3,400 trailers.

For more on how the best fleet maintance manager in the country stays on top of his job, watch the next issue of Today’s Trucking, due out in early July.