TruckNewsTalk

Angela Baltkois had a vision She saw a blank canvas and decided to paint it, with the result being a win-win for two divergent industries...one with a blank canvas, and the other with a message. In 2013, Angela Baltkois founded Big Rig Wraps Transport Truck Advertising, after identifying an untouched out-of-home marketing medium: transport truck advertising on independently owned fleets. Recognizing that only large companies with their own fleets were maximizing the benefits of non-competing ads on large vehicles, Angela created a business model where all-sized businesses can buy large-scale ads on trucks ranging from 20 feet to 53 feet. Currently, Big Rig Wraps partners with more than 50 reputable and well-known fleet owners who make their big rigs and their routes available to advertisers who want to generate more sales. Angela proves that there is a place for women in or working for the trucking industry. Listen to her story and hear her tell how she built this company, Big Rig Wraps. https://www.bigrigwraps.ca/about-us/angela-baltkois/

An impressive female truck driver with a great story of how she came to Canada from Germany and created a career in trucking, wearing several hats...but the one she loves is the one she wears behind the wheel. Her name is Claudia Winterhalter and she, like many other women in trucking, she destroys any remaining trucker stereotypes. A customs and border protection officer told her once, "you don't look like a trucker!" Claudia is an inspiration to women everywhere, especially those new empty-nesters who are wondering, "what do I do now?" The transportation industry is calling. Don't believe me? Listen to Claudia!

Why aren't more women looking at the trucking industry for a career? There are many opportunities in varied fields. For too long, men have dominated this industry. It's time for women to assume the many positions open for smart, educated and adventurous women to look seriously at the transportation industry for a great paying and secure career. We talk to two extraordinary women who have found meaningful careers in trucking...and, they love their jobs and the companies that employ them! We talk to Brenda Brajkovich, Director of Marketing at the Polaris Transportation Group. Then we chat with Melanie Bell, Director of Business Development at McLaren Doors, (yes, doors. The ones you see on the tail end of truck trailers) Both of these women will inspire you. They inspired me.

Cargo theft across Canada and the U.S. rose by 15% in 2022 from the previous year, equal to 1778 recorded theft incidents, a cargo theft recording firm reports. We get an update on the newest anti-theft technology with an expert. His name is Todd Moore. He is the Vice President, Partner Integration at FocusPoint International, a global assistance company that specializes in critical event management, with an emphasis on mobility risks. Todd is a retired Police Detective with 31 years policing service and extensive investigative experience working in Intelligence, Organized Crime and Robbery Units. If you haven't heard Todd in a while, you need to get caught up the latest technology like Smart Dongle Technology.

A look at what Canada's National Police Force is doing to fight human traffcking...more specifically, sex-trafficking. We look at America's Mountie stereotype and the RCMP reality. We talk to three RCMP officers in three different regions of Canada...Corporal Jennifer Botham, Constable Kristin Appleton and Corporal David Lane. This podcast is from an interview conducted over a year ago.

We talk to Joy Smith. Joy Smith's journey, and the history behind the Foundation, are testimony that the actions of one individual can make a difference for so many others. Joy jumped into action after learning no laws yet existed in Canada to protect victims, or to bring perpetrators to justice. In 2004, she became a Member of Parliament and made Canadian history as the first sitting MP to amend the Criminal Code twice, strengthening sentencing for traffickers and expanding Canadian laws to reach internationally. In 2011, Joy founded the Joy Smith Foundation and with the help of volunteers and supporters, continues to advocate and raise awareness for this important issue across Canada and around the world. Joy Smith is Canada's leading authority on the prevention and intervention of human trafficking, and the first organization in the country to focus on coordinating regionalized resources and services, the Joy Smith Foundation's commitment to ending human trafficking is stronger than ever. We are in a period of growth and proudly building on our history with the National Human Trafficking Education Centre which was launched in the Fall of 2021. Listen

This Episode Number One in a series to conversations with women in the trucking industry, or those who have retired but are still encouraging women to look seriously at a career in this male dominated industry. This week, we talk to a recently retired 31-year veteran in trucking. Her name is Stephanie Klang. She has quite a story to tell, especially about her grumpy driving companion. She is an award winner and the pride of her fleet owner. In fact, so much so, they put her name and photo on the side of a trailer. Stephanie is inspiring. Listen.

This is another in our TNT series about trucking women. It's about those brave women who defy the "we've always done it this way" crowd and ventured into a non-traditional career for women. My guest this week is Susie DeRidder. She drives for a major carrier. She's been driving for 44 years. Susie has a passion for truck shows, promoting students into the trucking industry and staying healthy. She gives back to her community by supporting SPCA, homeless shelters, and women's shelters. She is the recipient of the 2020 Women in Trucking Driver of the Year award. Listen to Susie tell her story and list the awards she has received, including a big accolade coming up in August.

This is Part 5 in our series Trucking Women. This week we feature another influencer female professional driver making a difference in the trucking industry. She is Kellylynn McLaughlin. Kellylynn was the Women in Trucking Association's first Driver Ambassador. In this role, she traveled around the country educating those she met about the importance of the transportation industry and shares some of the challenges drivers face within the industry. She is currently a professional driver for Prime LTD. Kellylynn is passionate about the trucking industry and is a tireless advocate for professional drivers. In addition to training new drivers to prepare them for the challenges they will face, she is also actively involved in sharing the "driver" perspective with decision makers in the industry. She firmly believes the general public should be educated about how important truck drivers are to the American economy and seeks to raise awareness about ways to support CMV drivers to do their jobs safely through her role as the Driver Ambassador. Kellylynn serves on the FMCSA MCSAC Commercial Driver Panel, the Advisory Council for Truckers Against Trafficking...and there more. Just listen as Stan Campbell chats with Kellylynn McLaughlin.

This is Part III in our feature "Trucking Women" as we hear their stories about how they were first attracted to the trucking industry and how they survived and flourished to become leading women in trucking. This week we feature another inspiring truck driver...no wait, she is awe-inspiring! Here is a woman who is not only a role model, but displays her humanitarian heart by actually donating a kidney to someone she had never met! But that's not all. She has been featured on network television, and presented with awards and still finds time to lend a hand to those less fortunate. Above all, she loves her job as a driver, but has some advice for some drivers to "clean up their act". Listen as we talk to Carol Nixon.