Like many male millennials, the transportation industry seemed to always be within arms reach. My father drove
truck in New Brunswick before moving to Ontario, an uncle drove truck, another uncle managed a truck yard, it is
a great way of life. I recall in grade 10, a grade 12 student bought a truck at 18 years of age, quit school,
headed out on the highway and never looked back.
In 1978 I graduated with honors from St. Catharines Collegiate and Vocational High School, specializing in
the trades program. Immediately thereafter I gained employment for the next 27 years in hybrid die casting
and manufacturing. It was here where I honed my logistical planning skills.
December 2007 I completed six months of training at the Cambridge ON based Canadian Automotive and
Transportation Institute. This program included four months transportation safety, compliance, dispatch,
followed by one month each of WSIB policies and Human Resources. I graduated with 98% average.
Armed with a transcript, letters of reference and ability to adapt, I applied to and began working with
Ontario Truck Driving School in the spring of 2008. A Career College that has been providing Truck/ Bus/
Heavy Equipment training and assessments since 1978. This gave me a chance to put my “professional life
lesson” to task once again. Company president, Gus Rahim, already had a standard of excellence in the
industry. He owned five training campuses and managed to assemble a School Association across Ontario, among
numerous other accolades.
Holding an ABMZ license I was hired as a Class “D” license driving instructor and in yard class “A” license
instructor. Sticking to my rules, I learned the OTDS training guides and practical approach to student
success. Me being me, I could not resist the urge to raise the bar, set standards even higher, increase
accountability, and so it began… Important to note none of this is possible without support from strong,
like minded, company ownership.
OTDS is now doubled in size and enjoys a culturally diverse infrastructure of professionals. With a fleet of
150 of manual and automated transmission tractors, dump trucks, both school and coach buses, vans. 53’van
trailers as well float trailers make up the bulk of towed vehicles. Heavy equipment and arial lift vehicles
complete the list of training equipment.
A milestone reached… Starting up the federally registered Continental Transport Safety Association (2020)
where I sit as President. Initial goal of this “not for profit” platform was to offer MTO Level 1 Air Brake
Endorsement courses. Professional Accountability via a registered oversight plan, accompanied with course
auditing has made this happen.
Aligning CTSA with a growing network of great partners delivering transportation safety solutions,
mentorship, and training.
