Trucking
Members of the Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) gathered together on Friday, November 3, for the Fall Awards Gala. This annual event is a celebration of the people and companies in Manitoba’s trucking industry who are dedicated to moving the industry forward.
Among those honoured at the Fall Awards Gala were:
- MTA-Omnitracs Distinguished Member Award: Searcy Trucking Ltd.
- MTA-Red Coleman Service to Industry Award: Peter McDonald, TransX Group of Companies
- MTA-Payne Transportation Ltd Associate of the Year Award: Scott Kinsman, Maxim Truck & Trailer
- MTA-Bridgestone Trucking Hero Award: Mario Tyszuk, Bison Transport Inc.
- MTA Associated Trades Division Social Responsibility Award: RBC
MTA-Omnitracs Distinguished Member Award: Searcy Trucking Ltd.
Searcy Trucking Ltd was recognized for their decades of dedication to improving Manitoba’s trucking industry and the Manitoba Trucking Association. They have been actively engaged with the Manitoba Trucking Association for decades. Searcy employees are actively engaged in labour and recruitment issues facing Manitoba’s trucking industry. Searcy drivers are regular recipients of the MTA-Inland Group Industry Excellence Award, and Searcy staff and management can be counted on to lend a hand when the MTA puts out the call for help.
Searcy Trucking employees are very active on various MTA committees. RPM: Trucking Industry Safety was created with input from Searcy Trucking representatives from day one. The current chair of the RPM Safety Council is from Searcy. They are supporters of the MTA Human Resource Council. They currently hold two seats on the MTA Board of Directors. The presidency of the Manitoba Trucking Association was filled twice by Searcy employees, including the MTA’s first woman president. They are also represented on the Canadian Trucking Alliance Board of Directors, and they are also actively engaged with other industry associations.
MTA-Red Coleman Service to Industry Award: Peter McDonald, TransX Group of Companies
Peter McDonald of TransX Group of Companies has been described as “the real deal”, a detail-oriented problem-solver and mentor who wants to make a difference in our industry. Given his background as a driver and in safety, McDonald is all of those things, and more.
Peter’s career in the trucking industry began in the truck as a commercial driver. His move into the office was first into safety and then operations. He spent time in Toronto as TransX’s Terminal Manager before returning to Winnipeg and taking up his current role as Director of Safety. He has been in this role for the past 16 years.
Peter has been a member of the MTA’s Board of Directors since 2016. He is not afraid to speak his mind on issues and is passionate about ensuring safety is a key consideration in Board motions and decisions.
MTA-Payne Transportation Ltd Associate of the Year Award: Scott Kinsman, Maxim Truck & Trailer
The 2023 Associate of the Year is someone known as a technical expert in his field. Scott Kinsman has been engaged in the heavy equipment industry for over thirty years. The past sixteen years have been spent as the Sales Account Manager at Maxim Truck and Trailer. Scott is customer-focused and works hard to stay on top of regulatory changes and design evolutions to ensure he is meeting the needs of his customers.
Scott is dedicated to the trucking industry beyond his professional life. In 2015, Scott was named to the Associated Trades Division Executive Committee. During his time on the Executive Committee, he oversaw new initiatives including the Social Responsibility Award and the Board of Directors Fishing Derby. He also represented the MTA at various events and ensured the Associated Trades Division was meeting the goals of its strategic plan.
MTA-Bridgestone Trucking Hero Award: Mario Tyszuk, Bison Transport Inc.
Earlier this year, while driving in Texas, Mario Tyszuk of Bison Transport noticed a northbound SUV lost control and became airborne, landing on the passenger side.
Tyszuk was able to pull over safely and immediately ran across the highway to help. Upon arrival to the vehicle, he saw that both occupants were trapped inside. Mario punched his way through the windshield to remove the passengers. He assisted the driver in crawling out of the vehicle, but the passenger was more seriously injured. As he went into the vehicle to remove her, he noticed a serious gash in her leg, which was bleeding heavily. Creating a tourniquet from his shirt, Tyszuk applied pressure to the wound while others called 9-1-1. Tyszuk applied pressure until the ambulance arrived approximately twenty minutes after he first stopped. Even as paramedics loaded the passenger into the ambulance, Mario stayed at her side, applying pressure to the wound.
After speaking with law enforcement and her husband, Mario was able to make his way to a truck stop for a shower. And, as is always the case with these heroic drivers, he carried on with his trip to make his delivery.
MTA Associated Trades Division Social Responsibility Award: RBC
RBC, the 2023 recipient of the MTA Associated Trades Division Social Responsibility Award embodies the MTA belief that Manitoba’s trucking industry is part of the social fabric of the communities in which we work and live.
Launched in February 2023, the RBC Communities Together Fund in Manitoba has so far benefitted 36 charitable community partner organizations. Employees have accumulated 527 combined volunteer hours, earning a combined $54,000 in donations to benefit these organizations directly, supporting their emerging, pressing, and tangible needs. RBC is committed to help communities thrive and prosper. They are an example of how companies in any industry can partner with community groups that are on the ground and in tune with the needs of their areas and those living there.
Also recognized at the awards gala were the inductees to the MTA-Ocean Trailer Pioneers’ Club. This year’s inductees are:
- Rob Penner (Gardewine)
- Don Friesen (Penner International Inc)
- Lisa EisBrenner (Penner International Inc)
- Louis Charriere (Penner International Inc)
- Darian Wiebe (Penner International Inc)
- Bruce Probetts (TIP Canada)
- Tony Falk (United Transportation Driver Training)
- Rick Peters (Steve’s Livestock Transport)
- Tom Van Dam (Penner International Inc)
- Brian Kuzdub (Penner International Inc)
Awards celebrated but previously handed out were the RPM Safety Award, which went to Sysco Food Services of Winnipeg. Glen Burton of KAG Canada was recognized as the MTA-Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year for Manitoba. Burton was chosen from ten recipients of the MTA-Inland Group Industry Excellence Award winners, which included:
- William Gagnon (Big Freight Systems Inc),
- Kan (Sam) Ha (Core-Mark International),
- Jacob Giesbrecht (Penner International Inc),
- Jerry Brodoway (Searcy Trucking Ltd),
- Henry Klassen (Penner International Inc),
- Anthony Smale (Big Freight Systems),
- Gerald Bartel (Penner International Inc),
- Billy Wiebe (Penner International Inc),
- Alvin Tonn (Jade Transport Ltd), and
- Glen Burton (KAG Canada).
The Manitoba Trucking Association would like to thank all event sponsors for the 2023 MTA Fall Awards Gala. Congratulations once again to all of our award recipients!
About the awards:
MTA-Omnitracs Distinguished Member: This award recognizes a longstanding member company of the Manitoba Trucking Association who has made significant contributions toward furthering the aims and development of the truck transportation industry.
MTA-Red Coleman Service to Industry: This award is presented to those who garner the respect and esteem of their industry peers, and who conduct themselves in such a manner as to have gained the esteem of their fellow members and brought credit to our industry through their contributions.
MTA-Payne Transportation Ltd Associate of the Year: This award recognizes an individual working for a member of the Associated Trades Division who has made contributions to our industry. The Associated Trades Division is a key component of the Manitoba Trucking Association. Their mission is to promote member partnerships and support our industry. From dealerships and parts providers to recruiting, finance, office and building supplies, even restaurants, the members of the Associated Trades Division keep the wheels moving on Manitoba’s trucking industry.
MTA-Bridgestone Trucking Hero Award: The MTA-Bridgestone Trucking Hero award was created to recognize acts of heroism that take place in our industry. What do we mean by hero? Heroism is defined as heroic conduct, especially as exhibited in fulfilling a higher purpose or attaining a noble end, often while putting someone else’s safety or wellbeing ahead of one’s own. All acts, no matter how major or minor are significant. It’s important to recognize these acts and honor these individuals. Not only do they help someone in need, but they can also inspire and encourage others to be better citizens.
MTA Associated Trades Division Social Responsibility Award: The Associated Trades Division Social Responsibility Award was created in 2022 to recognize those members – individuals, groups, and companies – giving back to their community. Nominees can be recognized for their work in six categories: environmental issues, community service, innovation, diversity, sustainability, and philanthropy.
Video Links
Award videos were created for each of the following award recipients:
MTA-Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year for Manitoba : https://youtu.be/QVRwiCxP2LM
MTA-Bridgestone Trucking Hero: https://youtu.be/3aVIITMtvP0
MTA-Payne Transportation Ltd Associate of the Year: https://youtu.be/vfIrrjG_GsQ
MTA Associated Trades Division Social Responsibility Award: https://youtu.be/LZeI9q4_oOA
MTA-Red Coleman Service to Industry Award: https://youtu.be/LBZW9Zy5Tjg
MTA-Omnitracs Distinguished Member: https://youtu.be/yf7UwbRlhXk
MTA-Inland Group Industry Excellence: https://youtu.be/hujcs3PRkDc
RPM Award: https://youtu.be/yTFtTu2sm3w
Event Images:
MTA-Omnitracs Distinguished Member Award: Searcy Trucking
MTA-Red Coleman Service to Industry Award: Peter McDonald, TransX Group of Companies
MTA-Payne Transportation Ltd Associate of the Year: Scott Kinsman, Maxim Truck and Trailer
MTA-Bridgestone Trucking Hero Award: Mario Tyszuk, Bison Transport Inc.
MTA-Associated Trades Division Social Responsibility Award: RBC (pictured: Chris Penner, RBC)
MTA-Ocean Trailer Pioneer Award:
