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COMPLIMENTARY ADVOCATE VOL. 5, NO. 2 THEREARVIEWMIRROR EDUCATE CALEDONIA, ONTARIO www.therearviewmirror.ca DEB QUAILE T he Canadian Fleet Maintenance Seminar is well underway with its preparations for the event May 10, 11 and 12 in Toronto, Ontario. As a subsidiary of the ATSSA (Automotive Transportation Service Superintendents Assoc.), the Canadian Fleet Maintenance Seminars have been held annually in the Toronto area since 1963. As a non-profit organization, the CFMS goal is „to promote knowledge, skills and continuous improvement on matters related to vehicles and equipment of the trucking industry, with a specific focus on maintenance and safety.‰ Each seminar offers a blend of discussion panels and guest speakers on topics relevant to industry timeframes and by active members of the North American trucking industry. CFMSÊs mission is to „support the transportation industry by providing and sharing with delegates the knowledge, skills and continuous improvement related to vehicle technology and maintenance and by promoting adherence to ethical and legal industry standards and practices.‰ This yearÊs seminar location is in Markham, 25 minutes from downtown Toronto and Pearson International Airport. Dave Ongaro, CFMSÊs General Manager, says, „ ThereÊs a lot of history to the CFMS. The main concept this year is the CFMS’s circle of influence, from left to right: Ron Attwood, Chairman; Dave Ongaro, General Manager; Paul Kirkup, Manufacturers’ Chairman; Rod Black, Guest Speaker. SUBMITTED PHOTOS. change in the seminar, and that change comes about as the result of other changes in our industry. The economy is forcing us to make a lot of these changes. „The type of products coming out today and the speed at which theyÊre coming out is monumental. The other change that is of concern to everyone is the change in the workforce itself.‰ As a baby boomer, Dave grew up in the industry and at this point in his own career, many of his contacts are retiring or being replaced. But where, he questions, do new people in the industry go to find their information? „I found it through ATS and CFMS – I found that once I got into that network I could make contacts ... I could adapt what they did [or knew] to suit my needs, and accomplish what I needed. All the new guys are coming in with new ideas - and great ideas – but they all still need contacts.‰ When current trucking professionals find out „how to get into [the industry], the more contacts they make the better off theyÊll be.‰ Dave knows that the internet is a valu- able tool, but it cannot replace an actual network of people that you build throughout a career. „The CFMS is a window on our indus- try: You can walk by that window and look in, and come to your own conclusions; if you open the window you can see and hear whatÊs going on; you can also climb through the window and I believe a transformation can take place [at that point]. It builds confidence and innovation. It did all that for me and everybody IÊve talked to says the same thing. Most people come to the seminar for the networking – critical is that interpersonal connection. I think that will always remain, whether they know it or not.‰ DaveÊs new with the CFMS, having slipped into the GM seat in August 2009. Recreating the format of the seminar, including a new venue, look, procedures and more, has become full-time work for him. „Historically the GMs have served long illustrious careers, the first being Gordon Carr, serving 10 continued on page 4 A look in the Mirror Second crossing at Windsor-Detroit rests with Michigan Legislature Recruiter Profile: David Wells Backing Up: Ed Wiersma 9 10 22 RECRUIT SPRING 2010 Canadian Fleet Maintenance Seminar poised for May 10-12