Monday, June 5, 2023

Technology, regulation and pressure throughout the supply chain are creating new challenges and opportunities for those transporting goods by road. The trucking industry is no stranger to change. But between labour issues, alternative fuels and digitization - to name a few - many feel that we're on the cusp of huge changes for the business.

In this update panel, you'll get candid discussion about the major issues faced by today's trucking business. Expect to hear how industry is planning to adapt and possible problems that might be encountered along the way. You'll also hear how the sector as a whole can work to face mutual challenges and build a foundation for thriving in the years ahead. 

Moderated by:

Angela Splinter, CCLP
CEO
Trucking HR Canada

As CEO of Trucking HR Canada, Angela Splinter is the steward of talent management best practices for the trucking and logistics sector. Under Angela’s leadership, Trucking HR Canada has become a national centre of excellence where stakeholders in commercial transportation, public policy, training and economic analysis work together to help trucking and logistics employers meet the growing demands of Canada’s freight economy. Angela’s tenure has spearheaded the development of the distinguished Women with Drive and Top Fleet Employers programs which recognize HR leaders and transportation companies for excellence in human resources and provide models for others to follow. These and other programs promote an environment where professionals share strategies, policies and practices that drive career-of-choice recognition and the industry’s success.

Angela is regularly called upon to brief senior officials, economic think tanks and industry leaders on the in-depth research and industry insights impacting the industry’s growth and success. She also serves as a speaker and moderator at industry events in Canada and internationally, providing expertise on topics that affect supply chains across a range of industries. 

Panelists:

Susan Ewart
Executive Director
Saskatchewan Trucking Association

Prior to becoming Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association, Ewart served as director of insurance services for Hal Insurance, a subsidiary company for the STA. Ewart attended Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s business administration program and holds a Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation. Prior to joining the STA Group of Companies, Ewart owned her own Insurance Brokerage in Regina, creating the first drive thru in Regina for license issuing and creating one of the first digital platforms for insurance delivery.

She served on the board of the Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan, the Regina Women’s Network and was president of the Regina Association of Insurance Women. Ewart was also the recent recipient of the 2015 Women of Influence for the insurance industry. Since taking the helm at the association in 2016, Susan has focused on bringing all the Saskatchewan Trucking Association business units under one roof with a focus on staff development and revenue generation. The first female Executive Director of the STA sees great value in bringing more women into leadership positions in the trucking industry.

Terri Johnson
Program Manager, Research & Innovation
Alberta Motor Transport Association

Terri has supported the heavy-duty transportation industry for the past 15 years. With a passion for research and innovation, Terri has worked with numerous stakeholders to advance connected automated vehilces, zero emissions vehicles, digital twins, and virtual reality platforms that are accelerating growth for the commercial transportation industry.

Current and recent trials include: The Alberta Zero Emissions Truck Electrification Collaboration (or AZETEC project) that has developed, tested, and will operate 2 heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehilces designed for Canadian climates, weights, and long haul operations; The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Development (or EVID project) that has designed and will now operate Alberta’s first hydrogen fueling station for heavy duty-vehicles; The Cooperative Truck Platooning System (or CTPS trial), Canada’s first on-road heavy-duty SAE Level 2 autonomous vehicle trials; and The Hydrogen Vehicle Demonstrations that are providing AMTA carrier members the opportunity to utilize nine hydrogen vehicles in their business operations. This trail is providing hands on experiences with alternative fuel vehilces, collecting vehicle performance data, and reducing emissions in the heavy-duty transportation sector while advancing Canada’s net zero mobility goals.

Mike Millian, CCLP
President
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada

Mike grew up on a beef farm in Huron County and began his career in the Trucking Industry in 1990 at the age of 18. At the age of 21, Mike went to work for a long-haul refrigerated and general freight carrier and spent 5 years hauling freight in all 48 US mainland states and six Canadian provinces. The carrier then opened a Certified Driver Training School in 1998 and Mike came off the road to become one of the schools’ first certified driver trainers. Mike later transitioned into Safety and Compliance for the fleet, while still working part-time as a trainer for the school. In 2002, Mike moved over to a private fleet and became the Safety, Compliance, Maintenance and Training manager for the Hensall Co-operative’s Commercial Trucking Fleet.  Mike spent the next 12.5 years with Hensall and oversaw fleet growth from 40 trucks to over 160 trucks.  In January of 2015, Mike moved into the Trucking Association business and was named the President of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, where he remains in his current role. Mike has been a CITT Certified Logistics Professional (CCLP) since July 2021.