The Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) presented its 10th annual Lee J. Crittenden Memorial Award to Ray Haight, executive director of MacKinnon Transport, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. This award at the TCA Convention is given to the person who has done the most to advance the ideals and goals of the Professional Truck Driver Institute, of which Lee Crittenden was a staunch supporter until his death in April 1998.
PTDI is a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing truck driver training, proficiency, safety, and professionalism.
Haight, outgoing PTDI chairman, was elected in December 2002. Shortly thereafter, during a transitional period, he became the organization's fulltime 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 also brought visibility and revitalization back to the organization.
Under his leadership, the PTDI updated the certification standards and is currently updating the skill standards. It has established an apprenticeship program in Canada that could potentially turn into a pilot program for the entire trucking industry.
The annual Lee J. Crittenden award keeps Crittenden's memory alive and serves as inspiration to others who get involved with truck driver issues. Crittenden helped many important industry activities get their start, including the PTDI and America's Road Team.
Crittenden worked for CitiCapital, the company that was instrumental in creating this award along with TCA.
