Niagara Falls, ON – The PMTC and CPC Logistics Canada announced the first ever recipient of The Rick Austin Memorial Dispatcher of the Year Award as part of the PMTC’s 2018 Annual Conference. This award was established to honour the memory of one of CPC’s Fleet Dispatchers, Rick Austin, who passed away suddenly on March 15th of 2017.
Rick began his career in the Transportation Industry right out of high school. He started with a dry wall company loading, tarping and strapping trucks, and decided not long after that he would rather be behind the wheel. He eventually became an owner operator and at one time ran team loads to California with his cousin. Rick joined the John Deere Canadian Fleet on November 25, 1991 and quickly developed a reputation as a dependable driver with a great work ethic. Rick earned his Million Mile Award and started to train to provide relief dispatch, and then moved into the full-time dispatch role in 2000.
For a time, Rick dispatched all units in both Grimsby and Regina. As the fleet grew and it was discovered the kind of effort that Rick was dedicating to his role, the Dispatch office was expanded, and Rick received the CPC Logistics President’s Award in recognition of his exceptional loyalty, service and dedication.
Because of his years on the road, Rick fully understood the demands and strains on a long-haul driver, and became not just a Dispatcher, but a good friend and wise council to many drivers over the years. Rick understood that the job needed to be done, but also wanted the drivers running safe and legal at all times. Whether he had the time or not, he always took the time to communicate with the drivers and tried to make sure that they kept life in balance.
This award is designed to help recognize the exceptional and often under-appreciated efforts of Dispatchers who have made an outstanding contribution to their company over their career.
The 2018 Rick Austin Memorial Dispatcher of the year award goes to Linda Valliere, Praxair Canada.
“Dispatchers play a key role in the success of any organization, and when I look at the credentials of Linda, I can’t imagine a more deserving first-time recipient of this award”, stated PMTC Chairman John Harrison.
Linda began her career at Praxair, then known as Union Carbide, in the accounting department. Linda then moved to the role of Secretary for the controller. In the 90’s, Union carbide was changed to Praxair, and a new initiative began to centralize logistics out of Downtown Mississauga. Linda had a desire to take on a new challenge, and moved into a new career in Customs & Logistics.
In this role, Linda helped roll out a new integrated customer software. The new program brought on significant cost savings. Despite the typical challenges that come with new programs, Linda embraced the change, and her strong leadership led to a successful deployment.
During Linda’s time in Logistics, she primarily dispatched the Ontario driver teams. Her rapport with the drivers was something of legend within Praxair, and on many occasions, drivers would specifically ask for Linda when they called in to receive their instructions.
Linda would always take the time to get to know her drivers, listen to their feedback, and make time to meet & get to know many of them & their families. This respect for her drivers has always been what drives her commitment to safety. Linda recognizes that facilitating safety for drivers is one of her most important roles, and she ensures this occurs by communicating issues to customers, escalating issues to management, and talking to drivers to ensure they are comfortable with the dispatch she puts together for them.
In addition to her rapport with the drivers, she has also been supportive in training & mentoring many logistics planners throughout the years. This year marks Linda’s 40th anniversary with Praxair Canada, and in a Profession dominated by males, Linda is a shining example that regardless of background & gender, you can be successful in the transportation industry when you have a willingness to learn, have a strong work ethic & a passion for your job.
