Information Highway - December

J.R. Bud McCaig featured in the Petroleum Club's Pioneer Book

The Calgary Petroleum Club (CPC) a special 75th Anniversary Pioneer Room history book to showcase the Pioneers of the Club and celebrate their entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic giving along with their contribution to our club, the province and country as a whole.

Trimac’s late President, CEO, and Chairman J.R. Bud McCaig is featured prominently on the club’s walls as well as in the history book, having been a foundational contributor to the CPC, the community and Canada. A large book anthology was compiled as a type of addendum for the Pioneer Room. Intended to be printed in a large format and displayed prominently alongside the displays for reading, its pages recount more of the history, colour and contributions of the CPC members whose portraits grace the walls.

After 75 years, a renovation of the Pioneer Room is revitalizing the building for a new era, but remaining a home that retains its heart and vitality weaves its history, stories and characters into the new design. Members have likely noticed familiar faces appearing on the walls of the Pioneer Room, showing art, stories and pictures of the CPC’s foundational and legacy families. Reading like a “who’s who” of Alberta’s emergence to prominence, the CPC’s Pioneer Room showcase captures the essence of the people who shaped an industry and a nation through the deals shaped within its walls.

CPC a vital part of the Calgary community

The CPC has created a sense of belonging and community since it was founded in 1948. The vision was for it to become the premier club for Calgary’s business community. While membership has historically comprised of energy executives, the club has evolved and changed alongside the business landscape in the city. Today’s membership is representative of the business community it serves, with CPC welcoming professionals from energy to services to technology and all businesses in between. It also attracts young professionals, both as members and board members.

The CPC has become a home away from home for its approximately 3,000 members.

History of CPC

In mid-1948, preparatory and conceptual meetings were held in the Sun Room of the Palliser Hotel in Calgary for what would become the Calgary Petroleum Club. At this time, the first President of the Club was Mr. John H. Bevel, who was the General Agent for the Canadian Gulf Oil Company. The first Vice-President was Mr. S.F. Heard, President of Royalite Oil Company Limited. In 1949 the Calgary Petroleum Club incorporated under the Societies Act of Alberta.

The Petroleum Club and Renfrew Club merged and continue to operate under the Petroleum Club. After the merger, business was conducted on the second floor of the Motor Car Supply building on Sixth Avenue SW.

In August 1958, a clubhouse opens at 319 Fifth Avenue SW, where the Club continues to operate today. A second story addition to the building is completed. The Members own both the building and the land. After a fire in the loading dock, that consists, mostly of smoke damage to the rest of the building, restorations to the Club take four and a half months to complete. The billiards room is replaced with the Club’s gem, our Wine Cellar Dining Room.

At the Club’s 2014 Annual General Meeting, a motion is passed to introduce a Young Professionals Membership. Within a year, 150 members sign up. A $7 million, four-month rejuvenation of the CPC was completed. We continue to be an inclusive club, offering a vibrant gathering place for our business community. The Club welcomes men and women from all industries and backgrounds to apply for membership.

Bud was a former president of the Petroleum Club in 1990s and 2000s

Trimac's 50-Year Service Anniversary gathering: A celebration of dedication, excellence

Trimac recently commemorated a remarkable milestone for three special employees. On Nov. 28 in Houston, Texas, colleagues, friends, family, Trimac’s Board of Directors, and the executive leadership team gathered to honour the exceptional 50-year service anniversary of three outstanding individuals: Company Driver Robin Crites, Customer Service Manager Jane Delisi, and retired Senior Business Analyst Roy Dupuis.

The evening was a testament to their unwavering dedication and exemplary contributions that helped shape Trimac's illustrious history. The spotlight shone on Robin, Jane, and Roy, whose five decades of service stood as a testament to their dedication and tireless efforts.

Robin, though not present at the event, was celebrated for being the cornerstone of Trimac's roads. From his inception as a driver, his enduring commitment and resilience became the hallmark of Trimac's driver community. His unwavering dedication to safety and professionalism has set standards for all Trimac drivers.

Roy, whose journey began in dispatch, navigated through roles until finding his passion in the IT department. His technological expertise reshaped Trimac's operations, leaving an enduring impact on systems and processes. His commitment to innovation and adaptability became a guiding light for the company, inspiring excellence among his colleagues.

“Your perseverance, dedication, and loyalty have not only shaped Trimac but have become an integral part of our story,” said President & CEO Matt Faure. “Your hard work and commitment have made an indelible mark on our company's history and success.”

The evening resonated with heartfelt speeches, tributes, and messages from colleagues and management. These anecdotes painted vivid portraits of Robin, Jane, and Roy's immense impact on Trimac's success and culture.

Cybersecurity in the workplace: Learnings from the recent cyber attack

The trucking industry is facing an increasing risk of cyberattacks. In a recent incident, about 100 trucks lost access to their electronic logging devices (ELDs) and fleet management software due to a ransomware attack on the vendor.?

The attack disrupted communications, prompting the use of paper logs and traditional dispatch methods.?

Cybersecurity experts warn that the transportation sector is a growing target for hackers, with a reported 400% increase in automotive cyberattacks between 2017 and 2022. The potential consequences of a cyberattack extend beyond electronic logging capabilities, affecting fleet management solutions and creating risks such as rerouting trucks carrying high-value cargo. ?

What can we learn from this cyber attack?? ?

Employees are the first line of defense against cyber threats, which means failure to take precautions could be devastating for our business. All companies should understand the importance of cybersecurity and how their actions can impact the its overall security posture.?

• Report security incidents: Report any security incidents or suspicious activities immediately.?
• Password management: Choose strong passwords and avoid storing them in an unsafe manner such as in a spreadsheet. If you access multiple external websites, manage numerous username and password combinations, use a password management software.??
• Phishing awareness: Be vigilant about phishing attempts. Verify the authenticity of emails, especially those requesting sensitive information and report any suspicious emails.?
• Social media caution: Exercise caution on social media platforms. Avoid sharing sensitive work-related information or details that could be exploited by attackers.?
• Physical security: Report lost or stolen material promptly to maintain physical security of work devices and access cards.?
• Secure Wi-Fi connections: Use secure and password-protected Wi-Fi connections, especially when working remotely.?

Any email, file, link or even phone call by a third party should be treated with extreme caution.?Never give up your personal information if an email, text message or phone call seems suspicious, especially if you weren’t expecting to receive it. In no circumstances should you share login credentials.??

If you’re not sure whether the message or phone call is legitimate, you should hang up and contact the company or department through the contact details on their corporate website. This way you are in control and can use the correct email or phone number to verify whether the inquiry is legitimate.

Trimac attended the 2023 Accelerate! Conference & Expo

Some of the Trimac team attended the 2023 Accelerate! Conference & Expo in Dallas, Texas, this weekend. This annual event is hosted by Women in Trucking Association (WIT).??

Trimac was proudly recognized as a Top Company for Women to Work for in Transportation for the fifth consecutive year. We were also featured in Edition 3 of Redefining the Road magazine.?

?Trimac Recruiter Sherryann Wilson and Senior Recruiter Sasha Morgan attended and accepted the award on the company’s behalf. This accolade spotlights companies making a difference in the industry through gender diversity and leadership.??

Qualifying for the award

Every year, WIT highlights the top companies that are exceptional workplaces for women in all roles of the transportation industry. Here are the qualifications:

• The organization must generate a minimum of U.S. $5 million in gross global sales, have a minimum of 100 employees.
• The organization must be a corporate member of the Women In Trucking Association.
• The Nominator of the organization must be an authorized representative.
• The organization must pay the nomination Fee.
• The organization must participate in the WIT Index, the official industry barometer to benchmark and measure each year the percentage of women who make up critical roles in transportation.

Tradition of giving at The Women's Centre of Calgary

In the spirit of the holiday season, Trimac's Calgary head office team spent time at?the Women's Centre of Calgary?Holiday Toy Room, which supports thousands of families in Calgary.??

Holidays can be a tough time for many families and women who struggle to afford gifts for their children.?The Women’s Centre Holiday Toy Room?helps women and families by operating a gift program, where women are able to choose a holiday gift for their children as well as a gift for themselves.??

The Centre hosts more than 200 women every day, for ten days, where they get the opportunity to pick out gifts for their children and feel supported. This serves as more than just a gift-giving program, it becomes a space where women can feel empowered as they navigate through tough times.?

The Holiday Toy Room Program exemplifies the true spirit of the holiday season, a time for giving, compassion and community support and we are grateful to be a part of this impact!?

Trimac has been actively involved in this initiative for the past seven years and was thankful to be part of yet another in 2023. We thank the Centre for assisting the thousands of women in Calgary who struggle to afford holiday gifts for their children.