Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/818577
Voices 6 | Overdrive | May 2017 For Winnipeg, Manitoba-based Mur- ray Manuliak, charity is personal. The 54-year-old driver for Bison Trans- port has two grandchildren with special needs, so he has been deeply involved in the World's Largest Con- voy for Special Olympics Manitoba. "We decided to try to help out whatever way we could, which was fund-raising," says Manuliak. He's driven in the convoy the last three years and says the event draws 190 to 200 trucks. Last year, the convoy raised $60,000 to help special needs athletes. Manuliak's dedication to his family and community is one reason he was named the 2016 Company Driver of the Year by the Truckload Carriers Association and Overdrive sister brand Truckers News. He received the award, which included a check for $25,000, at TCA's annual convention in March in Nashville, Tennessee. The other company driver finalists were William Poteet of Saddle Creek Transportation and David McGowan of WEL Companies. Each received $2,500. Gary Buchs, profiled on page 30, was named 2016 Owner-Opera- tor of the Year, also winning $25,000. The awards are sponsored by Cum- mins and Love's Travel Stops. Manuliak grew up on a farm on the plains of Manitoba, Canada, where he got behind the wheel of a truck for the first time at the ripe old age of 12. He's since driven for more than 25 years and logged more than 3.1 million safe miles, both team and solo. For 13 years he's driven for Bison Transport, the Canadian fleet named the Best Large Fleet to Drive For during the same convention where Manuliak was recognized. Today, he's an in-cab trainer for Bison. "It's important to me to ensure that these drivers are given the tools to make them strong drivers," says Manuliak, who spends time reviewing safety measures needed for a success- ful trip and helping trainees gain the confidence to make sound judgment calls. "If a driver is having a bad day, then it reflects that on the road," says Manuliak. "That's why I will gladly spend time with a driver, even if it means I might be a few minutes late, just to ensure he is better before getting back behind the wheel." Since 2012, he has brought home honors from Manitoba's Provincial Truck Driving Championships. He won Rookie of the Year in 2012 and helped Bison win Team of the Year. He's also had wins in the contest's Super B class. Special Olympics work part of major honor As a finalist in TCA's driver contests, Murray Manuliak and his wife, Heather, were treated to an expense-paid trip to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Manuliak, named 2016 Company Driver of the Year, won $25,000. Max Heine I think the judges and the people in FMCSA that think [ELDs are] a good idea need to put an ankle bracelet on for one month so the general public can keep track of them. … One click on a computer, and there you are. It takes a court order to put an ankle bracelet on a criminal. FMCSA and the 7th Circuit Court are saying all truck drivers are criminals by mandating ELDs. Bob Glaves, Sterling, Alaska How ELDs make us like criminals BY DAVID HOLLIS