The PMTC and CPC Logistics Canada announced the recipient of The Rick Austin Memorial Dispatcher of the Year Award as part of the final day of the PMTC’s 2021 Annual Conference. This award was established in 2018 to honor 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, starting with a dry wall company loading, tarping and strapping trucks.  Rick decided to move behind the wheel and would eventually become an owner operator. 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 2021 Rick Austin Memorial Dispatcher of the year award went to Devon Turnbull, Sharp Transportation

Information and Background for Devon                                  

Devon has been a dispatcher for 16 years, 14 of them at Sharp Transportation Systems. Prior to becoming a dispatcher, Devon also spent 10 years on the road as a Truck Driver. This gave him the ability to have a full scope of understanding of the role of a driver.

Devon has made safety and compliance a priority. He has taken the time to learn and understand the abilities and behaviours of each driver and factors this into dispatched runs. He is highly cognizant that all drivers operate differently and have different sets of needs, expectations, and areas of concern. He utilizes this to develop the most efficient plan, which allows the drivers to carry out their duties safely, feel respected, and receive fair hours and pay. Devon actively contributes to the development and improvement of fleet safety and efficiency initiatives. Any course or training that is assigned to the drivers, Devon takes alongside them. Some of the highlights from driver testimonials include

“Devon understands the business, what it takes to get somewhere, and the best way to make it work for each driver”

“when working with Devon you know that he is being honest and fair”

“One of his greatest abilities is to get to know his drivers. What they will do, what they will not, as well as understanding a drivers family dynamics. We can always count on him to have our back.”

And perhaps the best testimonial of them all “Devon is perhaps the best dispatcher I have ever had. He is a great listener, thinker, planner and always honest. I have been paid to drive truck for 41 years, and Devon is a game changer. If he decides to leave dispatch, I will most likely retire from trucking”

In conclusion, a dispatcher like Devon is a key component to of overall culture, attitude, and safety! The PMTC and CPC Logistics Canada congratulate Devon on being honoured as the 2021 Rick Auston Memorial Dispatcher of the year!

 

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