ARTICLES:
The Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA) recently recognized Graham and Nancy Shirley, owners of Estevan-based Bert Baxter Transport Ltd., as the 2011 Service to Industry award recipients.
They were presented with this prestigious award at the 74th STA Annual General Meeting and Awards Gala on October 22 in Regina.
The Shirleys purchased Bert Baxter Transport Ltd. in 1977. At that time there were four trucks, two old 1952 forklifts, and one half-ton. Now they own nearly 100 trucks and 12 forklifts, and the company provides general freight hauling to five provinces and 43 states. Bert Baxter Transport Ltd. currently operates out of branches in Estevan, SK; Leduc, AB; and Fort Nelson, BC.
Graham worked for several transport companies before coming to Bert Baxter as a driver. Nancy was a teacher until their three sons Vaughn, Darryl, and Todd were born, and began working for the company after the purchase in 1977. Now all three boys help manage the company, and since the beginning Bert
Baxter employees have testified to the Shirleys' work ethic, honesty, and fairness.
"They are family oriented, willing to help people, and are generous to a fault," says Janet Turgeon, who has worked for the Shirleys at Bert Baxter for 31 years. "They have instilled these qualities in their boys. They have touched many people on their journey."
The Shirleys have belonged to various groups and committees over the years, always trying to improve the trucking industry. Safety has always been number one, for both their employees and the public in general.
Steven Atnikov of Shaw Tracking, who has sponsored the Service to Industry award since 2009, was pleased to bestow such an honor on the Shirleys. He summarized their contributions in a single word: fantastic. "Fantastic people, fantastic couple, fantastic parents, fantastic employers, fantastic friends."
Also honored at the Awards Gala were the 2011 Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year, Bill Gilbert of D.J. Knoll Transport, and the Frontier Peterbilt Sales Ltd. Dispatcher of the Year, Glen Rugg of Jay's Freight Division.
LEFT: Service to the Industry: Nancy and Graham Shirley
MIDDLE: Dispatcher of the Year: (L-R) George Henderson of Frontier Peterbilt Sales Ltd.,
Glen Rugg and Della Rugg
RIGHT: Driver of the Year: Bill Gilbert, Debra Gilbert and Terry Warkentin of Volvo Trucks Canada
