​OTA Selects 2017-2018 Road Knight Team

April 2017

Toronto… The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) has knighted seven exceptional truck drivers who will travel the province over the next two years, promoting the industry to the media as well as sharing their experiences and knowledge of the trucking industry and highway safety with students and community groups.

This year's team has over 100 years of safe driving experience on the road, representing multiple segments of the industry including city and highway drivers, owner operators, truckload, LTL, heavy specialized and reefer carriers, both small and large from all parts of Ontario.

The 2017-2018 OTA Road Knights Team: Sylvain Binette, Toronto, ON, Kriska Holdings Ltd. ; Louis Carette, Frankville, ON, Kriska Holdings Ltd. ; Gary deVos, Chalk River, ON, Bison Transport; John Ginuta, Courtice, ON, Polaris Transport Carriers Inc. ; (O/O): Brent Mater, Fort Erie, ON, Zavcor Trucking Inc.; Jeff Stocker, St. Catharines, ON, Spring Creek Carriers Inc.; Henry Wilks, Port Dover, ON, Double D Transport Inc.

"OTA couldn't be more proud to have these first-class professional truck drivers spread the message of safety, promote career opportunities and represent the industry to the public," said OTA president Stephen Laskowski. "I also want to thank the carrier companies who sponsored these drivers for their commitment to this important industry program and their commitment to safety."

The program is a free, province-wide community outreach program in which transport drivers share their knowledge of sharing the road with a truck. Over the next two years, team members will participate in media interviews and speaking engagements in order to help improve road safety and increase awareness of the economic and social importance of the trucking industry. The Knights will also visit local schools with their trucks to introduce young people to the industry. Team members also participate in career fairs to promote awareness of the wide array of careers that are available.

Team members are selected by a panel of industry, government, Road Knights alumni, and media representatives every two years.

To be considered for the team, drivers are nominated by their employer (or company they are contracted to in the case of an owner/operator). OTA then scrutinizes the applications and shortlists the candidates. The candidates then appear before the selection committee to deliver a speech, participate in a personal interview, and prepare a detailed written statement outlining why he or she wants to serve on the team.

OTA Road Knights are available for community outreach events and will provide insight on sharing the road with a transport truck and how all road users can be partners in safety. Please contact Hina Brinkworth at 416-249-7401 ext. 234 or e-mail [email protected] to book a free presentation by an OTA Road Knight for your school or community event.