The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC) inducted four truckers into its Hall of Fame for professional drivers and named the recipient of the Rick Austin Memorial Dispatcher of the Year Award during its annual conference in Niagara Falls, Ont.

The Rick Austin Memorial Award was established in 2018 to honor the memory of the CPC’s fleet dispatcher, who passed away suddenly in 2017. This year, Carrie Scarselli of John Deere Canada was named the recipient.

Scarselli has years of experience in the transportation industry, having started in customer service and bookkeeping roles, progressing to the roles of a customs broker and, later, safety coordinator, until she joined John Deere as a dispatcher six years ago when she was hired to fill Austin’s role after his passing.

“When Carrie started, she quickly learned who all the drivers were, found common ground, and within months was a full-fledged teammate,” the company said in a news release. “Carrie is always available to the office staff and drivers, ensuring she is available for support, whether it is early in the morning or late into the evening. She always takes the time to listen and has been instrumental in modernizing our processes, eliminating unnecessary paperwork for drivers [and] the shipping office.”

Hall of Fame inductees

The PMTC also recognized other industry professionals during its annual conference, inducting Dave Lalande, Bob Kestner, Michael Limburg, and John Robinson into its Hall of Fame for professional drivers. It includes PMTC member companies’ drivers for their ‘superior over-the-road performance’ over an extended period of time.

Together, this year’s inductees have 158 years and over 15.7 million kilometers of accident-free driving.

“The skills of these four professional truck drivers are evident to all who encounter them. [They] are especially valued by the industry & their employers,” said PMTC president Mike Millian. “These professionals compile safe driving records that are beyond amazing, considering all the adverse conditions they face every day. Only a select few can equal the caliber of the drivers in the Hall of Fame.”

John Robinson began his driving career with Gray Ridge Egg Farms in 1978, and has dedicated 46 years to the company. He has trained countless new drivers throughout his tenure and provided support through early morning calls.

“When Gray Ridge expanded across Ontario, John established the runs up north in Sudbury and Sault Saint Marie, building relationships and working with the store managers. John has built relationships with many store owners and the egg farmers he has worked with over the years,” the company said.

Dave Lalande, a hybrid driver for Giant Tiger Trucking, has also been recognized. He began his driving career delivering auto parts in Ottawa for five years prior to joining Giant Tiger in 1989. His commitment to service and safety has been proven in his 35 years and more than 4.9 million kilometers of accident-free driving. Lalande is also actively involved in community events with the company, showcasing his dedication beyond professional responsibilities, the release says.

Meanwhile, Michael Limburg has been a professional driver for Darling International Canada for 22 years. As a licensed mechanic, he often assists younger drivers with early morning garage repairs. He also trains new and experienced drivers at the company when needed.

Bob Kestner has also driven for his company for more than 20 years. He transitioned from a sales position at Weston Bakeries to a driving career at Home Hardware in 2001. His safety record includes over 38 years and 4 million kilometers of accident-free driving.