MacKinnon’s Ray Haight
Recognized for Advancing Driver Training
(March, 2008) -- The Professional Truck Driver
Institute, Inc. (PTDI) has presented the tenth annual Lee J. Crittenden Memorial
Award to Ray Haight, executive director of MacKinnon Transport, Inc., of Guelph,
Ontario. The ceremony was held March 3rd during Truckload Carriers
Association’s (TCA) Annual Convention at The Atlantis Resort in The
Bahamas. MacKinnon Transport is a member of OTA.
The award is given to the person who has done the most
to advance the ideals and goals of the Professional Truck Driver Institute,
Inc., of which Lee Crittenden was a staunch supporter until his death in April
1998.
PTDI is a national nonprofit organization sponsored by
the nation’s trucking industry to advance truck driver training,
proficiency, safety, and professionalism. PTDI is based in Alexandria,
Virginia.
Haight, who is the outgoing chairman of PTDI, was
elected in December 2002. Shortly thereafter, during a transitional period, he
became the organization’s full-time chairman and leader. He was
instrumental in changing PTDI’s Board of Directors to a fully functioning
Board that took an active role in moving PTDI forward. He was part of a team
that created a Standards Review Committee and a Finance Committee that developed
a PTDI budget, helping the organization to become solvent and fiscally
responsible.
Working closely with the staff and Board, Haight
created a new PTDI brand that has been a turning point for the organization. He
brought visibility and revitalization back to the organization.
Although his responsibilities with PTDI will be
winding down, Haight is now embarking on a new endeavor: he was just elected for
a one-year term as chairman of Truckload Carriers Association.
The presentation of the annual Lee J. Crittenden award
will keep Crittenden’s memory alive and serve as inspiration to others who
get involved with truck driver issues. Crittenden helped many important industry
activities get their start. He was passionate about promoting a positive image
of the nation’s professional truck drivers, and was largely responsible
for the creation of America’s Road Team. He also initiated a scholarship
program for the drivers who participate in the National Truck Driving
Championships. His greatest industry achievement is largely believed to be his
part in founding the Professional Truck Driver Institute, where he served on the
board of directors and also served as the finance chairman during the years of
the Institute’s infancy. Crittenden worked for CitiCapital, the company
that was instrumental in creating this award along with TCA.
PTDI currently has certified entry-level training
courses at 66 schools in 28 states and Canada.
© 1995 -
2008, Ontario Trucking Association
555 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario
M9W
1H8
Tel: (416) 249-7401 | Fax: (416) 245-6152
Email:
info@ontruck.org