Click on a speaker name to read their bio:
- Keynote Speaker Paul Long
- John G. Smith
- David Heller
- Geoff Wood
- Danny Pehar
- Steve Newton
- Shelley Walker
- Mike Hinsperger
What’s GOOD?! How do today’s best companies accelerate business results? By engaging their employees, celebrating all that’s GOOD and creating a culture of experience that empowers their workforce to create joy, FUN and fulfillment.
Paul Long is a speaker, author, podcaster and master of shenanigans. He has developed a concept called Fundamism, simply defined as the FUNdamentals of a F.U.N. and optimistic lifestyle. When implemented, Paul’s philosophy has been proven to reduce attrition, attract great talent, improve customer experience and drive employee engagement. Paul is not only great in discussing operational growth theory, but in his corporate leadership experience he’s also seen success putting his FUNdamentals into practice.
As the author of Fundamism: Connecting to Life Through F.U.N. Paul guides you on how to live your whole life—at work and at home—with joy, FUN and fulfillment as the driving force. The book does so through Paul’s entertaining real-life stories, researched-based recommendations, and practical exercises.
He travels the world delivering high-content keynotes and training to Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and trade associations. His engaging, inspirational and unbridled energetic style is unlike any speaker you’ve experienced before. Paul’s thought-provoking content, tactical solutions for growth and humor that rivals that of a stand-up comedian consistently generates outstanding feedback from participants.
Paul challenges audiences to move beyond the traditional avenues of achieving happiness — money, title, status — and develop their own core values that create fulfillment both at work and home.
President – Editorial at Newcom Media Inc.
John G. Smith is an award-winning journalist with 35 years of experience in publishing and corporate environments. Long recognized as one of the leading commentators on Canada’s trucking industry, Smith was recently named Vice-President – Content and Design at Newcom Media, Canada’s leading B2B publisher and trade show producer. In that role, he leads editorial and creative teams behind publications and websites that serve the trucking, financial services, insurance, dental, and retail sectors.
Senior Vice President of Safety and Government Affairs, Truckload Carriers Association (TCA)
David Heller is the Senior Vice President of Safety and Government Affairs for the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and is responsible for communicating and interpreting all trucking-related regulations – safety, legislative, and otherwise – to the membership of TCA and its congressional representatives on Capitol Hill.
Heller regularly develops and authors comments regarding trucking industry mandates based upon association policies and principles and serves as staff liaison for all federal and state legislative and regulatory issues pertaining to the Department of Transportation and other related federal agencies. As a routine part of his job, he supports the association membership in
the resolution to technical inquiries on the trucking industry, with particular emphasis on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). As evidenced by his participation in FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC), Heller has become a recognized industry expert in trucking.
Heller has appeared multiple times on CNN and Fox News as well as the Dave Nemo Show and Road Dog Trucking News with Mark Willis to explain TCA’s position on key legislative and regulatory issues while also authoring a monthly column for FleetOwner magazine. He is regularly approached for comment on industry-relevant matters by top trucking trade publications.
Senior Vice President, Policy at Ontario Trucking Association & Canadian Trucking Alliance
Geoff has worked for the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) since 2002. In addition to his OTA role, Geoff joined The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) in 2008 where he also serves in the capacity of Sr. Vice President of Policy. Prior to joining the OTA and CTA, Geoff was employed by trucking companies based in both Ontario and Manitoba that operated North America wide.
He is involved various files related to safety, compliance and operations including: Electronic Logging Devices (ELD’s), Truck Driver Hours of Service, Driver Health and Wellness, Vehicle Weights and Dimensions, Cargo Securement, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Vehicle Maintenance and Highway Infrastructure Design.
Geoff is OTA and CTA’s lead at the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), National Task Force on Vehicle Weights and Dimensions and the Ministers General Policy Advisory Council on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods and also actively participates in the Ontario Police Commercial Vehicle Committee and the Traffic Safety Committee of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.
He holds a BA (Geography), Laurentian University (98’) and an MA (Geography) University of Waterloo with a specialization in Transportation (01’) and still maintains a Class 1 (AZ) commercial drivers’ license.
Ontario Tricking Association Website
Danny Pehar:
Anti-Fraud Coach
Topic: Cybersecurity Planning and Your Business
With more than 20 years’ experience in the cybersecurity industry, Danny Pehar has become one of its foremost experts. As a member of the Forbes Technology Council, Danny is also a monthly cybersecurity content contributor to the renowned business magazine. His media portfolio also includes regular television appearances that have built him an engaged broadcast audience and social media following.
As the architect of the Cybercrime Equation, Danny works closely with the Toronto Police Cyber \task force as well as the FBI cyber task force. He also sits on the board of directors of InfoSecTO. As a bestselling author and professional keynote speaker, Danny uses his own Executive Security Storytelling formula to successfully educate organizations on the ever-relevant world of cybersecurity. He has spoken to audiences and industries throughout North America and Europe. Whether providing cybersecurity awareness training to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, new employees or even elementary school students, Danny draws on his experience as a comedian and motivational speaker. Combining this background with his extensive cybersecurity knowledge and obsession, Danny promises to entertain, empower and educate for a truly awesome experience
Steve Newton:
Sr. Director of Safety and Driver Development at Challenger Motor Freight Inc.
Panelist: : From MELT to a Million Miles – Developing the Professional Driver
Steve has over 20 years of safety experience within the transportation industry and is currently the Sr. Director of Safety & Driver Development at Challenger Motor Freight Inc. Steve is responsible for the overall direction and leadership of the safety, compliance, and driver training departments, and oversees Challenger Transportation Training Academy (CTTA) a registered private career college for truck training. Steve began his career as a truck driver, progressing into safety in 2003, and has been at Challenger since 2013.
Steve has his Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation through Global Risk Management Institute, and through NATMI has his Certified Director of Safety (CDS) and Certified Driver Trainer (CDT) certificates. Challenger, a Fastfrate Group company, is one of Canada’s largest privately owned transportation and logistics companies and has been recognized as an industry leader for their People-First culture and commitment to driver safety, retention, and training. Challenger Motor Freight has won the TCA Fleet Safety Awards 2020-2023, has been named Best Fleet to Drive for 8 consecutive years, received the IHSA Achievement Award for lost time injuries below industry standards from 2016-2019.
Shelley Walker:
Founder and CEO of Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada
Panelist: : From MELT to a Million Miles – Developing the Professional Driver
Shelley Walker is the CEO of Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada, a non-profit organization, with the mission to bridge barriers, empower women and provide a positive platform for education, mentorship, networking and development within the trucking/transportation industry.
She has over 30 years experience in Trucking/Transportation industry. Shelley has a history of supporting the Transportation/Trucking industry as a reputable and respected leader, spokesperson, and professional driver. Shelley is well-versed in the undertaking of several charitable initiatives, community campaigns and public outreach.
Her many skills include Management, Keynote Speaking, Leadership, Safety & Training. Shelley has a strong interest in philanthropy, promoting women within the industry and empowering teams and individuals. Inducted into the PMTC Hall of Fame For Professional Drivers 2020. Awarded the 2020 Woman of Inspiration™ Rural Leader Award. 2019 Courage Award Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association (NSTSA)
Consultant, Frontline Commercial Vehicle Solutions
Mike brings a wealth of experience and knowledge with more than 32 years as a police officer including
- 20 years as a CVSA Commercial Vehicle Inspector and Dangerous Goods Inspector
- 20 years as a collision analyst
- 3 years as Vice-Chair and 9 years as the Chair of the Ontario Police Commercial Vehicle Committee
- (OPCVC) under the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP)
- 18 years as a Master Instructor of the US FMCSA Commercial Vehicle – Drug Interdiction Assistance
- Program (DIAP)
- 18 years as Master Instructor of the RCMP National Pipeline Convoy Program
- 39 years as an Ontario Class ACZ commercial driver and licence holder
Mike spent 15 years in Traffic Services including 4 years in charge of the Traffic Services Unit. Mike also spent 7 years in the Emergency Response Tactical Unit including 3 years in charge of the Emergency Response and Canine Team and was the recipient of nine local, national and international awards received during his 32 years in law enforcement.
Mike is a Court recognized expert in commercial vehicle interdiction and hours of service and moving violations in three Canadian provinces including areas of:
- Commercial Vehicle Technical Collision Investigation and Speed Determination
- Hours of Service
- Commercial Vehicle Crime Trends and Behavioral Indicators
- Commercial Vehicle Equipment
- Commercial Vehicle Contraband Concealment