CAFS 70th Year Celebration

Hello to all our members and future members, and congratulations CAFS… it’s been 70 years!

Thank you to all who came out to our Annual General Meeting. What a great time to reflect on CAFS 70 years with Past Presidents and members speaking of their experiences with the Association.

With 2018 being CAFS 70th anniversary year, it is a great time to take a retro and futuristic look at the Association’s many accomplishments and to also ensure it continues to offer useful training and information to all its members in the future.

I am very honored and privileged to be part of an exceptionally talented team during CAFS 70th year.

I would like to acknowledge our current Executive members; Vice-President Chris Swanson (Continental Tire), Treasurer Chris Dodman (Kal Tire) and Past President Kelley Crozier (Ledcor Technical Services). Also thank you to our Directors; Brian Haugen (International Union of Operating Engineers), Kevin Last (Vancouver Axle & Frame), Peter Tremblay (District of Squamish) and Ross Russell (Waste Management). Welcome to our newest board members Gord Houghton (Fortis BC) Tommy Deranja (West Coast Reduction) and Tony Pena (Valley Carriers Ltd.) whose experience as fleet managers and fresh outlook will be a great asset to this year’s board. I would also like to thank Muni Sami (BC Hydro) for his service and commitment as he has now completed his term on the Board.

I would like to encourage all members and future members to attend CAFS meetings and events for the wealth of information that is available and the friendships that are made.

Thank you to the many who sponsor and contribute to CAFS meetings and events, your contributions help make these events affordable and enjoyable for all the attendees and membership.

It has been an honor to serve as your president and I look forward to whatever the future holds. I am wishing all the members and their families a happy and prosperous year.

Hope to see you all at meetings and events.

Phil Blanchette, CAFS President

2018 marks 70 years since CAFS was first incorporated. What a milestone!

I am honored to be a part of an Association that has such remarkable strengths and has endured some very hard times, only to come out stronger.

With great vision, it was CAFS first President, Colin Dobel, who had the foresight to start “The Canadian Association of Fleet Supervisors”.

Over the years I have been asked if CAFS expands over all of Canada, due to the name. While a majority of our members are in BC, we do have a few members in Alberta.

To the best of my knowledge, upon researching history it was discovered that the Association’s name was formed this way…

Colin Dobel, who was a director on the Vancouver Safety Council, attended a Fleet Managers Group in the United States. Colin thought there should be a similar ‘Fleet Safety’ arm of the Vancouver Safety Council in Canada… hence The “Canadian” Association of Fleet Supervisors.

CAFS has had a total of 49 Past Presidents, with many holding terms for two or more years. I have had the pleasure of working with 10 of those past presidents and I can honestly say I have enjoyed working with each and every one of them. Each President has brought with them their own unique skills and ideas. At the 70th Year Celebration in February this year, it was an honor to have several past presidents attend and share what the Association was like during their terms as President.

CAFS has experienced good times, and some not so good times over the years. So, it was very interesting to reflect back on those years and to see how the Association has grown into the strong, innovative and professional association it is today. We can all take credit for this as it is the support of each and every member that makes CAFS a success.

The one comment I continue to get is that this Association is an excellent means for networking, and in fact, the Association members feel as though they are one large extended family.

Continue to use the resources and networking opportunities available to you. And continue to help us extend the networking opportunities to others in the industry.

Congratulations CAFS on 70 Years!

Lori Hendy, Executive Director