Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, June 4, 2025:
Bowline Logistics names new CEO
Alberta, Canada-based Bowline Logistics has announced the appointment of Delly McEwan as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 2. A seasoned executive and logistics strategist, McEwan brings more than 25 years of experience in transportation, business development and project execution across North America.
Delly McEwan
“I was drawn to Bowline because it’s a company with a strong, people-first culture,” McEwan said. “I believe in leadership that empowers those on the front lines. The individuals doing the work every day are the most valuable asset of any successful organization – and I saw a kindred spirit in Bowline’s approach. I’m excited to be part of a team that values every voice and puts service excellence at the heart of everything we do.”
McEwan’s leadership style is collaborative, analytical, and deeply team-focused. His strategic vision will help guide Bowline through its next phase of innovation in the transportation and logistics sector, the company said, with a particular eye toward building a comprehensive, asset-based logistics solution for the North American market. He is especially looking forward to sharing his broad experience in all aspects of transportation and executive management while integrating into Bowline’s best-in-class culture.
“Delly brings a wealth of knowledge, integrity, and forward-thinking leadership to our organization,” said Tyler Boyd, founder and president of Bowline Logistics. “His experience and passion for building teams align perfectly with the direction we’re headed. I look forward to working alongside him as we continue expand Bowline’s presence across borders and into new markets.”
Kentucky small fleet owner sentenced for cocaine trafficking conspiracy
The owner of a Lexington, Kentucky-based small fleet was sentenced June 2 to 28 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Alejandro Galvan Gomez, 51, previously pled guilty to the charges. According to his plea agreement, from November 2023 until September 2024, Gomez agreed with others to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine.
Gomez owned a trucking company, G and G Transportation headquartered in Lexington, and used the trucking company and its trucks to travel to the southern border of the United States at McAllen, Texas, to pick up drug loads. Gomez made these trips on a frequent basis, at least two times per month.
Gomez would conceal the cocaine in large vehicle batteries that were hollowed out to allow for four kilograms of cocaine. To evade detection by law enforcement, the batteries contained a small battery within the modified battery, so that the battery would still produce a charge if tested. Gomez would receive at least two batteries per trip to McAllen, and sometimes as many as 10 batteries. Once he obtained the drugs, he would then distribute them to others around the country, including in Dallas, Texas; Columbia, South Carolina; Dayton, Ohio; and Cincinnati, Ohio.
Additionally, Gomez admitted to laundering drug proceeds by methods known as promotional and concealment money laundering. To do this, he would make large cash deposits in both his personal and business accounts. G and G Transportation was not a cash-based entity, and the source of the cash stemmed from his involvement in drug distribution offenses.
Gomez would use the cash deposits to pay the transportation company’s expenses, including maintenance and fuel for the Volvo semi-truck that was used to pick up the drug loads and for his personal expenses, including mortgage payments.
From September 2023 to May 31, 2024, he deposited $159,350 in cash in the G and G operating account and $105,745.95 into his personal account. He also admitted that these funds were the proceeds of the drug trafficking offenses and that they were intended to promote drug distribution offenses.
Under federal law, Gomez must serve 85% of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
PGT Trucking recognizes more than 150 drivers
PGT Trucking (CCJ Top 250, No. 78) recognized 48 Million-Mile Drivers, 102 Safe Drivers, and 22 Premier Professional Drivers during its annual awards celebration in May. Through their professionalism, dedication and integrity, these drivers are unmatched across the PGT fleet, the company said.
“When I started PGT 44 years ago, I knew that I needed a team of good people to help build my business, something that remains true to this day,” said Pat Gallagher, PGT Trucking’s founder and CEO. “PGT’s Million Mile and Safe Drivers are the very best at our company, and I am honored and blessed to have them on our side.”
This year, PGT held a virtual event through social media, highlighting the individual award presentations made throughout the company. A full recap of the campaign can be viewed here.
PGT’s Million Mile Drivers have driven more than one million miles without a safety incident, which the Safe Drivers have driven for more than five years at the company without a safety incident, being recognized for their safety mindset as they work toward the million mile goal. PGT’s Premier Professionals are members of an elite fleet of company drivers who maintain superior performance and safety standards at all times, PGT noted.
The top award winners included:
- Zachary Springer, recipient of the Bill Wright Award for Team Player of the Year
- Ryan Drozynski, recipient of the David Levin Award for Company Driver of the Year
- Sam Thompson-Graves, Safety Professional of the Year
- Terrence Fitzgerald, recipient of the Harry “Buster” Barnes Award for Independent Contractor of the Year
- Clay Jones, recipient of the Hobert Hill Award for Agent of the Year
- Jarrod Waugh, Certified PRO Trainer of the Year
- Cameron Foutch, Terminal Manager of the Year
- Christian McCon, Rookie Driver of the Year
- Doug Halulko, PGT MVP of the Year
- Michael Carreon, recipient of the Terry “Kuz” Kusniar Award for Premier Professional Driver of the Year
- Laurence Cox, recipient of the President’s Award
PGT also inducted five new Million-Mile Drivers: Timothy Austen, Donald Cunningham, Jr., Raul Delgado, Robert Tudor, and Andrew Utz.
Utah DOT teaching motorists how to drive safe around trucks
A program developed by the Utah Department of Transportation is educating passenger car drivers on safe practices for driving around semi-trucks. UDOT’s Truck Smart campaign urges drivers to learn how to safely share the road with big rigs.
In 2024, there were 45 commercial vehicle-involved fatalities on Utah roads, UDOT said, and there have been six such fatalities on Utah’s roads so far this year. In 75% of crashes involving semi-trucks, passenger vehicle drivers are at fault and responsible, the department added. Additionally, nearly a quarter of all vehicles on Utah roads are large trucks.
“With such a high number of commercial vehicles on Utah roads, it is vital that our drivers understand how to safely navigate driving around big rigs,” said Laurie Huntsman, UDOT spokesperson. “With a few simple changes in our driving habits to improve how we drive around semis and other big trucks, we can make our roadways safer for all drivers.”
The Truck Smart campaign reminds passenger vehicle drivers of two main practices when merging and driving around large trucks:
When passing or driving near a semi-truck, drivers should look for the truck driver’s face in their mirrors or even make eye contact with the truck driver.
Before merging in front of a large truck, drivers should make sure they see the entire truck or both headlights in their rearview mirror before moving over.
“Commercial vehicle drivers have far too many close calls every single day driving on Utah roads,” Huntsman added. “Truck drivers go through intensive training to earn their commercial driver’s license, with hundreds of hours of training. They do everything they can to keep themselves and other drivers safe; however, every driver on the roads also carries the responsibility of understanding how to safely drive near trucks to help keep our roadways safe.”
In addition to educating the general public, Truck Smart also does in-person presentations to teens in driver’s education courses about how to prevent crashes around semi-trucks. More than 700 presentations were given to driver’s ed classes in 2024.
