Stephen (Steph) Portelance

Bergland Transport is a recent subsidiary of Joseph Haulage that specializes in the transport of agricultural products such as grains, seed, mulch, compost and loam. I took over management of Bergland Transport on an interim basis in May, 2023 while still overseeing the S&C department at Joseph Haulage.

In November of 2023, I was promoted by Joseph Haulage to the position of GM, Fleet Safety & Bergland Operations. I was tasked with streamlining the Operations and Accounting processes at Bergland in preparation for amalgamation into the parent company. I continued to oversee Joseph Haulage's safety department from an executive level.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Oversaw all aspects of the operation of the company including finance, sales, maintenance, office and shop staff, company drivers, and owner operators.
• Restructured and modernized the company’s entire accounting system including invoicing, inventory management, bill processing and payment.
• Oversaw the implementation of new dispatch and payroll management programs.
• Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
• Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
• Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
• Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
• Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
• Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
• Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
• Implemented robust inventory management systems to optimize stock levels and minimize waste/costs associated with excess product storage.
• Optimized supply chain logistics, ensuring timely delivery of products and significantly reducing transportation costs.
• Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
• Reported issues to higher management with great detail.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversaw a Safety & Compliance department over 80 company drivers and 60 Owner/Operators throughout Ontario.
• Ensured regulatory compliance in all aspects of logistics operations and transportation safety standards and requirements.
• Enhanced fleet safety by conducting regular audits on vehicles, drivers, and maintenance practices.
• Tracked key performance indicators related to driver safety, analyzed data to identify areas requiring attention or improvement.
• Developed strong working relationships with regulatory agencies.
• Continuously updated knowledge on regulations related to transportation industry safety standards.
• Routinely inspected job sites throughout Ontario and parts of Quebec to identify potential hazards and establish protection and safety policies.

Driver Training and Development

• Oversaw all driver training and the implementation and enforcement of company and government regulations.
• Developed and implemented training programs for drivers and staff to improve driver safety and improve staff knowledge of HOS regulations.
• Promoted a culture of safety by prioritizing and addressing driver and management concerns and providing guidance on best practices.
• Created training presentations and driver manuals used during the onboarding process.
• Provided ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of our drivers and driver trainers; coordinated retraining and upgrading as required
• Made recommendations regarding driver discipline, implemented retraining and remediation plans.

Accident and Incident Response

• Led the investigation of every incident to determine root cause and preventability, created and enacted policies to prevent recurrences.
• Established a weekly accident/incident review meeting with senior management.
• Designed and implemented emergency response plans and procedures for drivers and operations staff.
• First point of contact for police, emergency responders, and insurance adjusters.
• Conducted on-site and post-incident investigations; coordinated with customers to resolve safety issues.
• Reported injuries and coordinated with WSIB; arranged and facilitated Return to Work and Modified Duty plans for injured workers.
• Provided daily reports to executive managers on all aspects of driver compliance, safety, regulatory compliance, and overall fleet safety and performance.

Driver Communication and Public Relations

• Planned and executed semi-annual company-wide driver training meetings.
• Organized live-streams of the driver meetings to accommodate multiple venues and improve driver participation and engagement.
• Addressed driver safety concerns at loading and unloading facilities; investigated and resolved customer and motorist complaints.

ELD and Logbook Compliance

• Responsible for teaching and coaching drivers how to properly use their ELD device.
• Trained and coached over 80 drivers and converted 80 trucks to a new ELD system within a 60-day period.
• Created training materials and in-cab Quick-Reference manuals for drivers for ELD compliance and troubleshooting.
• Routinely audited and inspected driver logs for compliance and coaching opportunities.
• Created company policy for use of inward and outward-facing dash cameras.
• Daily review of dash cam footage to identify driver habits and risk factors that could lead to incidents.

I was initially hired as a driver by ECL (Elgin Cartage Ltd) in 2016. The company had been acquired by Laidlaw (a division of Contrans/TransForce), but continued to operate as an independent entity until two years after I had been hired as the Driver Services Manager in 2018. Contrans then restructured many of their divisions and ECL became a part of the newly-formed Laidlaw Carriers Bulk.

Post merger, I became part of a larger Safety & Compliance team made up of safety managers from all the Contrans bulk and tank divisions.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Oversaw 150 company drivers and Owner/Operators throughout Ontario at each company
• Responsible for all aspects of the driver and O/O hiring process including interview, road testing, and training, as well as ongoing training, recertification and divisional cross-training (tippers and walking floor trailers).
• Responsible for the hiring, plating and onboarding of Owner Operators. Ensured continued compliance with company requirements for WSIB and the overall condition of the O/O vehicle.
• Developed a specialized training program for rookie drivers starting their first job in the industry. Personally mentored and trained new drivers, fostering a professional work habits focused on safety and compliance.
• Oversaw the production and presentation of multi-media training materials for the annual driver safety meeting.
• Provided ongoing driver evaluation towards improvement of the effectiveness of our drivers and driver trainers; coordinated retraining and upgrading as required
• Made recommendations regarding driver discipline, implemented retraining and remediation plans
• Ensured driver files were kept up to date and compliant

Safety & Compliance and Incident Response

• Attended the scene of most accidents and roll-overs. Determined cause and preventability of each incident and administered appropriate disciplinary action as deemed necessary.
• Participated in a weekly accident/incident review meeting with S&C managers from multiple divisions within Contrans.
• Designed and implemented emergency response plans. Coordinated with police, insurance adjusters and repair facilities
• Coordinated with clients to resolve safety issues and investigate incidents on customer property. Investigated and resolved customer and motorist complaints.
• Reported injuries and coordinated with WSIB; arranged and facilitated Return to Work and Modified Duty plans for injured workers.
• Provided reports to executive managers on all aspects of driver safety, regulatory compliance, driver compliance and fleet performance.
• Assisted with the coordination of driver dispatch when required.
• Prioritized and ensured quality work-life balance for drivers and Operations staff.
• Coordinated closely with the shop and maintenance department to ensure optimum productivity of company trucks and owner operators.

Driver Training and Communication

• Planned and executed driver training meetings and reviews; produced training videos and in-person presentation.
• Administered a quarterly Safety and Compliance financial incentive program based on driver performance, attendance, speed and ELD violations, etc.
• Planned and scheduled training for new hires based on their individual needs and skill levels.
• Managed and routinely audited the drivers' ELD logbooks. Coached the drivers on areas of improvement to ensure compliance with HOS regulations. Created training materials and user manuals for drivers.
• Daily review of dash cam footage to identify driver habits and coaching opportunities to reduce the risk factors that could lead to incidents. Enhanced driver performance and safety through both video and in-cab training programs and coaching sessions.
• Developed and maintained long-term, positive relationships with staff and drivers to enhance morale and productivity.
• Reduced accidents and safety incidents through rigorous monitoring of driver behavior and adherence to safety protocols.
• Evaluated driver performance regularly using a combination of objective metrics and direct observation, providing constructive feedback to support professional growth.
• Counseled drivers on violations of company policy or service standards to improve performance.
• Monitored compliance with MTO and DOT regulations and maintained necessary documentation for audits and inspections.
• Conducted regular safety meetings to reinforce best practices among drivers while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Trained new drivers on job duties, company policies, and safety procedures for rapid onboarding.

• Conduct pre and post-trip inspections; deliver loads as dispatched.
• Use of various equipment such as straight trucks, tractor-trailers, small vans.
• Worked in a variety of environments including long-haul, regional, heavy-haul, forestry, winter ice roads, and waste haul applications.
• Experienced with a wide variety of equipment including van trailers, shipping containers, flatbeds, tippers, walking floors and roll-off trucks and trailers.

• Published a monthly business-to-business newspaper that highlighted local entrepreneurs and organizations through thoughtful and well-written articles
• Assisted several others with the start-up of their own small businesses as part of a consulting arrangement with the Sudbury Regional Business Center
• Partnered with the Sudbury Chamber of Commerce to create promotional events that encouraged networking and created marketing opportunities for small businesses