The Professional Truck Driver Institute has presented the 10th annual Lee J. Crittenden Memorial Award to Ray Haight, executive director of MacKinnon Transport of Guelph, Ontario. The ceremony was held Monday, March 3, during the Truckload Carriers Association’s Annual Convention at The Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas.
The award is given to the person who has done the most to advance the ideals and goals of PTDI, of which Crittenden was a staunch supporter until his death in April 1998. Haight — who also was elected TCA’s 2008-2009 chairman at the convention — was instrumental in changing PTDI’s board of directors to a fully functioning board that took an active role in moving PTDI forward. He also created a new PTDI brand that has been a turning point for the organization.
Haight also has been active in promoting the image of the driver and in the retention of drivers; he has been involved in the establishment of an apprenticeship program in Canada that potentially could turn into a pilot program for the entire trucking industry. Founder of Southwestern Express, Haight first was introduced to MacKinnon Transport in 1990; shortly after, Haight merged his company with MacKinnon.
The following individuals were elected as TCA officers for 2008-2009:
