Time to crown Owner/Operator of the Year is near

Trucking can be a thankless job. The independent nature of trucking means that often nobody is there to witness the little things you do on a daily basis to get your loads where they’re headed on time in a safe and efficient manner.
When the load doesn’t make it on time – often for reasons beyond your control – that’s when you hear about it. Throw into the mix the many tasks that come with owning your own truck and it’s a wonder any loads get delivered. Maintaining your own rig, doing the necessary bookkeeping and running the business is a full-time job unto itself.
That’s why it’s a pleasure to be able to recognize one outstanding owner/operator each year through our annual Owner/Operator of the Year Award. We’ve been doing it for 13 years now and I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in the process for six of them.
It’s always a pleasure to pore through the entries and it’s comforting to know there are some truly remarkable owner/operators out there. Guys and gals who not only find the time to drive day in and day out while managing their own business, but also contribute to their community and help out when called upon at the scene of an accident. Who says truckers are no longer the knights of the highway? They should read through the nominations we receive each year.
I only wish we could award more than one owner/operator per year, as there are many deserving candidates. We’ll be making this year’s presentation Friday night (July 21) at the Fergus Truck Show at about 8:30 p.m. on the main stage. I hope many of you can make it out to help us recognize one of the industry’s finest owner/operators.