Western Canada Highway News is pleased to introduce you to Samantha Handke, General Manager of Highway 9 Ag Services Ltd.: a certified carrier for many of the major and independent dealers in the industry throughout the prairie provinces.

In our interview together, Samantha shares how Highway 9 Ag Services Ltd. – a family-run business in Yorkton, SK – has grown to serve and support Western Canada’s transportation industry.

Susan Ewart, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA), is proud of Samantha’s accomplishments and excited to see how she will help shape the future of Highway 9 Ag Services and the industry.

“The Saskatchewan Trucking Association is built on members like Highway 9 Ag Services. They are the backbone of our Economy in Saskatchewan and make up the majority of our membership. When we all work together, we can create positive change,” says Ewart. “Having the next generation of Saskatchewan businesses like Highway 9 Ag Services will ensure the trucking industry’s longevity in Saskatchewan. All of us at the STA are proud of our members and are encouraged by the next generation of leaders in our province.”

On behalf of the readership and the team at STA, Highway 9 Ag Services Ltd. and Western Canada Highway News, please welcome Samantha Handke.

Tell us a bit about yourself how long have you been a part of the industry and working for Highway 9 Ag Services Ltd.?

My name is Samantha Handke. I grew up in this industry but have officially been with Highway 9 for four years now.

Was there a particular company or mentor who really supported/jump-started your career in this industry?

My parents, Garth and Karen Handke, have always been my biggest mentors and supporters in both this industry and my life. They started the company in 1997, so from an early age I was always helping out when necessary – whether it was running kms and routes for my dad, if he was dispatching while out in the field farming, or adding up totals or sorting for my mom when she needed an extra hand in the office.

I didn’t pursue a career in the family business initially (post-graduation, I spent majority of my time in the Tourism & Hospitality fields) but in 2017, when they were at a crossroads of whether to sell and retire or pass the company on to someone they could trust, they asked me if I’d be interested in taking over (to which you can see I said yes).

Growing up around it (the transportation and agriculture industries) gave me a huge starting advantage but as anyone in either industry knows, there is always much more to learn! My parents have been incredible mentors and it has been such a great experience, absorbing the 20-plus years of knowledge they have gained.

Describe your team and corporate culture at Highway 9 Ag Services Ltd.

Our culture is focused on open communication and teamwork. As a company, we have grown a lot from sharing ideas, between parents and daughter, so we want to run with that theme. We have such an amazing team of people working with us and we’re always encouraging them to provide us with feedback and ideas so we can keep on progressing and making Highway 9 Ag Services the best it can be!

Describe your involvement with the STA.

Oh boy, that also falls on the themes of growth, communication, and teamwork! I’m a firm believer in the power in numbers, making your voice heard, and the philosophy that if no one speaks up, nothing will change.

I started out my involvement by asking a few questions here and there, and then the next thing you know I’m on a crusade with Jordan Ewart, taking pictures/videos and trying to push our government to Fix York Road (a local interconnecting highway corridor that goes from Highway 9 to Highway 16 on the North side of Yorkton).

Aside from my questions and efforts, I’ve been taking courses through the STA, such as the Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program, and have been working towards my CTSP designation.

As time passes, I have a feeling that the STA will be seeing more and more of me.

What have been some career satisfactions and challenges?

Without a doubt, my biggest career satisfaction is just seeing how far we’ve come and how much we’ve accomplished by taking what I learned outside of the company and integrating it with the foundation my parents built. In the past, I was very hesitant about taking over the family company – I was dead set on creating my own legacy – but it truly has been so fulfilling to grow and continue what my parents started. My parents and I have a goal to completely ‘pass the torch’ by next year and I feel confident in that happening – this just adds to the general feeling of accomplishment.

Some highlights would definitely be that our fleet count has remained at a higher number than years past, we hired a Dispatcher and a couple Administrative Assistants to help support that growth, and we bought a truck wash just outside of Yorkton (operating as Top Notch Truck Wash) that serves as our office and headquarters for our drivers.

My biggest challenge occurred in the first year or so, when we started making structural changes: we hired a Dispatcher (which previously was my father’s position), and I took on a blended role that covered my parents’ positions. It took some time for people to accept change and realize that I was in the company as an asset, not just because I was ‘the boss’s daughter.’ Another complication I ran into at this time was having a personality more like my father’s than my mother’s (natural assumption being the latter). It surprised some and, as much as we don’t necessarily believe it, there are still gender-barriers out there and I feel like I hit one. I would request certain things from our operators (I even had Garth proofread some drafts), and I would receive push-back from some people. It was very frustrating to have people upset with me and say things like, “My wife would never talk to me that way” when my Father would say it the exact same way as I just did, without flack.

Luckily, I have a thick skin and remained true to myself. Some people have moved on from the company and I feel like we’ve got at a really great team who sees me for the person and asset I am, regardless of my gender or place in my family tree.

What do you enjoy most about working in the transportation industry?

Honestly, as cliché as this sounds, the best thing about working in the transportation industry is the people. Our team members – whether it’s our office staff or owner operators and their drivers – are always happy to help and are willing to go the extra mile. Working in both the transportation and agriculture worlds that I grew up in just makes me feel at home.

Aside from that, it would have to be the limitless learning and challenges that present themselves. Whether it’s watching the markets and studying the patterns and how they’re affecting us, or simply the day-to-day obstacles presented by dispatch or the office, it’s never a boring week here at Highway 9!

What advice do you have for someone considering a career in the industry?

My biggest piece of advice is to be comfortable in not knowing everything after a day, month, or even a year. There are so many things to learn in this industry, with so many little nuances, that you truly won’t learn it all at once – no matter how hard you try – but you can’t let that discourage you! Be humble enough to ask questions to others in this industry and keep searching for knowledge to be the best you can be.

How do you enjoy spending time outside of work?

I’m very active and always keeping busy. I enjoy all things outdoors – from beach days and camping to the sportier activities like biking or skiing. I love playing sports of all kinds. I’m constantly working on some kind of project – whether it’s a random arts and crafts project or my mains like crochet or woodworking – and if all else fails, a good video gaming session is always a great way to enjoy an evening!

Anything you wish to add?

I just want to say thank you for this opportunity to share my story, thank you to the STA for all of their support, and an even bigger thank you to everyone who has been a part of Highway 9 Ag Services over the past 24 years!

To learn more about Highway 9 Ag Services Ltd. and how Samantha and her team can help you, visit www.highway9ag.com.