Truckers honoured at OTA award ceremony

TORONTO, (Nov. 14, 2003) — The Ontario Trucking Association officially kicked off its 77th annual convention yesterday with a series of awards honouring some of the most notable trucking professionals in the province.

Gerald Billing of MacKinnon Transport was named the OTA/Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year for 2003. Over his 15-year, 2.7 million collision-free kilometer career, Billing has earned the designation Road Master Driver — a title awarded to drivers who by their experience and demonstrated abilities, belong to an expert league of driving professionals. Billing, also a member of the current OTA Road Knights team, works with newly hired drivers as an in-cab driver-training coach for MacKinnon.

The highest honour bestowed upon an executive in the trucking industry — the Trailmobile Service to Industry Award — was handed to Cecil McKay, president of D&M Transport. The award recognizes an individual who, by their commitment, vision, and leadership, has made a contribution to the development and success of the industry. McKay started the company in 1964, and has since become an active member of the OTA Board of Directors and Education Foundation.

Clifford Ripley of Spruce Grove, Alta. and Paul Pelletier of Saskatoon, Sask. had no problem sharing this next award. Both drivers were named recipients of the 2003 Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award for their
bravery and quick thinking in saving someone trapped in a burning vehicle on Highway 17, near Wawa, Ont. Unable to
open the passenger door, Ripley grabbed a chain and attached it from his truck to the van door, wrenching the door open. Both Ripley and Pelletier then cut the victim free from his seatbelt and pulled him to safety only seconds before the vehicle burst into flames.

The OTA/Cancom Tracking Dispatcher of the Year honors went to Randy Humes of Highland Transport in Markham, Ont. Randy has been the steady night dispatcher for the past eight years. He earned the 2003 award because of his outstanding ability to look after the company’s customers and drivers. The award was presented by Mike Ham, vice president of Cancom Tracking.