“We train our drivers to stay safe, our technicians to keep up on the latest technology, our sales staff on the latest trends – so why are we not investing more heavily in training the future leadership of our industry – those who will guide us, those who will make the key decisions that will ultimately dictate whether our business will succeed or fail?”
That is the question the Tandet Group’s Ryan Tilley posed directly to a room full of trucking industry executives at the OTA annual conference last week.
Speaking at a luncheon presentation to recognize the inaugural executive graduates of the OTA’s Next Generation Certification program, Tilley enlightened the audience on all of the benefits of their experience.
“The OTA NextGen program is not just about education. It provides a great transition step for those new to the OTA experience. Your future leaders will meet like-minded peers in similar stages of their careers who will likely be new to OTA events. These young leaders all have fresh ideas and are getting an opportunity to bring them to the table at a time where our industry is going to face some significant challenges; especially with the no longer looming, but imminent driver shortage. Having this group of peers to grow up with in the OTA will certainly help create more sustainable and participative members.”
<< For the full transcript of Tilley’s inspiring speech click here: OTA Nextgen Speech_public>>
Designed as an intensive leadership development initiative for the industry’s future leaders, and delivered by the highly esteemed Humphrey Group, the objective of the four-part certificate program is to strengthen a new leader’s ability to inspire action in others – from drivers, to customers, to executive teams.
The inaugural graduating class consisted of 15 up-and-coming 15 trucking industry managers and executives. This format offered graduates an opportunity to learn and meet professionals experiencing similar career growth opportunities and challenges. OTA will be working with the 2014 NextGen graduates on the possibility of developing a second phase of the program for 2015.
To learn how the program would benefit someone in your company, please watch the promotional video below and also read the full speech (linked above) delivered by Tilley.
The video testimonials and Tilley’s appeal for company CEOs to get employees involved in the program generated quite a buzz at OTA’s convention. So, don’t wait. Send us your best Nextgen candidates. As Tilley promises, it’ll be an investment company owners won’t forget:
“If you do not make an investment in your future – you cannot expect to see an increased return. I can guarantee that acceptance of the status quo will eventually lead to stagnation within your business. And I can guarantee that a failure to recognize and acknowledge your future leaders within your organization will open the door for them to seek opportunities elsewhere.”
For more information contact Lak Shoan at lak.shoan@ontruck.org.
OTA extends congratulations to the class of 2014:
- Ryan Fletcher, Sales Manager, PeopleNet Canada
- John Foss, Account Manager , Trailcon Leasing Inc.
- Cody Hall, Dispatch/Operations, J&R Hall Transport Inc.
- Sam Harwood, Maintenance Manager, Harland Veinotte Transport Ltd.
- Lance LePage, Operations Manager, Harland Veinotte Transport Ltd.
- Roman Lewinsky, Manager Truck Sales, Navistar Canada Inc.
- Joe Lombardo, Director of Transport, Purolator Inc.
- Alex MacKinnon, VP Finance and Admin, MacKinnon Transport
- Tyler Markle, Dispatch, Premier Bulk Systems
- Jacquie Meyers, President, Meyers Transport Ltd.
- Jeff Pauli, General Manager, Woodcock Brothers Transportation Group
- Delon Rashid, Advertising Consultant , Newcom Truck Group
- Reagan Seymour, Dispatch , Kriska Transport
- Ryan Tilley, Operations Manager, Tandet Group
- Nic Wiersma, Co-owner/Operations Manager , Ed Wiersma Trucking Inc.