Growing up in a second-generation trucking family, transportation has been a lifelong passion and profession. My father spent his entire career as a truck driver and owner-operator, remaining active in the industry until his retirement at age 70. Following in his footsteps, I was introduced to trucking at an early age, driving trucks around our family yard by the age of 12. Read More Growing up in a second-generation trucking family, transportation has been a lifelong passion and profession. My father spent his entire career as a truck driver and owner-operator, remaining active in the industry until his retirement at age 70. Following in his footsteps, I was introduced to trucking at an early age, driving trucks around our family yard by the age of 12.

After graduating high school, I attended Fanshawe College to pursue a career as a 310T Truck and Coach Technician. At 18 years old, I obtained my AZ driver's license and seized every opportunity to gain driving experience while completing my apprenticeship with Peterbilt and Freightliner. Upon completing my apprenticeship, I transitioned into full-time truck driving and quickly developed a passion for long-haul transportation.

Throughout my driving career, I traveled extensively across North America, operating throughout virtually every state in the continental United States, with Oregon being the only exception. Along the way, I gained valuable experience in dispatch operations, spending several years coordinating freight movement and driver operations before purchasing my own truck and trailer and becoming an owner-operator.

In 2008, after years on the road, I decided to transition back to the maintenance side of the industry and accepted a position as Service Manager for a trucking company's maintenance division. This role allowed me to combine my technical expertise, operational knowledge, and leadership skills while overseeing fleet maintenance and shop operations.

In 2012, an opportunity arose that would shape the next chapter of my career. The company owner approached me about moving into a Safety Manager position. After careful consideration, I accepted the challenge and began training in transportation safety and compliance. Since then, I have built a rewarding career focused on driver safety, regulatory compliance, fleet risk management, and operational excellence.

To further enhance my expertise, I obtained my Long Combination Vehicle (LCV) license in Alberta and completed practical LCV operations so I could effectively train and mentor drivers before they attended formal certification courses. Throughout my career, I have continued to seek opportunities that align with my passion for open deck transportation and oversized freight, making strategic career moves that allowed me to remain connected to the specialized sectors of the trucking industry.

Today, I bring a unique perspective developed through hands-on experience in virtually every aspect of trucking—from driver, diesel technician, dispatcher, owner-operator, and service manager to safety leadership. This broad industry background provides a comprehensive understanding of fleet operations, driver challenges, maintenance requirements, and transportation safety, enabling me to contribute practical solutions and strong leadership within the trucking industry. Read Less