Doug Sutherland, President and CEO of The Sutherland Group and executive officer of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, has been named the recipient of the BC Trucking Association’s 2026 Service to the Industry Award.
Presented during BCTA’s 2026 AGM & Conference, the award recognizes an individual whose leadership, commitment, and contributions have helped strengthen British Columbia’s trucking and transportation industry.
Sutherland’s career path began outside of transportation. Before entering the trucking industry, he worked in film and entertainment, including production, independent feature films, and contract negotiations involving financiers, talent, and unions. That experience helped shape a leadership style rooted in communication, problem-solving, relationship-building, and bringing complex projects together.
In 2009, Sutherland returned to Canada to join The Sutherland Group, a growing family business. Over nearly 17 years with the company, he has helped guide its growth, first as General Manager and Vice President, and later as President and CEO.
Throughout his career in transportation, Sutherland’s leadership has focused on building strong teams and supporting a culture of service, professionalism, and accountability. His work has strengthened his own organization while contributing to the broader transportation sector.
Sutherland has also made significant contributions through industry leadership and volunteer service. He served on the BC Trucking Association Board of Directors for 12 years, including as Chairperson of the Board from 2022 to 2024. His contributions to BCTA have been thoughtful, practical, and deeply valued.
Nationally, Sutherland has served with the Canadian Trucking Alliance for 11 years, including as a member of the Board of Directors, as an Executive Director, and as Chairperson of the Blue Ribbon Task Force. He has also contributed to workforce and human resources discussions through his service on the Board of Directors for Trucking HR Canada.
His record reflects a leader who has consistently contributed time, perspective, and practical insight to industry discussions at both the provincial and national levels.
Before his professional leadership roles, Sutherland played competitive hockey and basketball, including three seasons with the Langara Falcons men’s basketball team. He later earned a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business with Distinction from the University of Victoria and has continued to develop as a leader through TEC Canada, a division of Vistage.
Having lived and worked in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, Sutherland brings a broad and grounded perspective to his work in transportation.
Through his business leadership, industry service, and commitment to strengthening the trucking sector, Doug Sutherland has made a lasting contribution to BCTA and to the industry. BCTA is pleased to recognize him with the 2026 Service to the Industry Award.