
Each week, TruckNews.com lists notable moves, promotions and awards in the trucking industry.
Last week, the Canada Truck Operators Association (CTOA) named its board of directors and held a press conference against international students’ deportation. Meanwhile, International promoted Samara Strycker to executive vice-president and chief financial officer, and Achim Puchert took over as the chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
CTOA’s board of directors
Canada Truck Operators Association (CTOA) recently announced its list of directors following its annual general meeting in early fall. CTOA, formed in 2023, claims it is Canada’s newest and fastest-growing trucking association.
CTOA board of directors includes:
- Jarnail Mand, HK United Trucks
- Jaswinder Shokar, Harman Transport
- Jinder Buttar, KJS Transport
- Kamal Dhaliwal, Sun Transportation Systems
- Mukhtar Randhawa, JB Rand Express
- Paul Nijjar, MIG Freight
- Randhir Singh Sandhu, Air & Oceanland
- Sukha Bassi, Autobahn Freight Lines
- Dev Mangat, United Group of Companies
- Raj Walia, Trux Solutions
The association held a press conference on Nov. 27 to protest Canada’s new immigration policy changes, which could result in international students’ deportation when their work permits expire in 2025.
International names Strycker executive vice-president and CFO
International has announced the promotion of Samara Strycker to executive vice-president and chief financial officer (CFO), effective Feb. 1, 2025. Strycker succeeds Do Young Kim, who will become CFO of Scania Group.

Strycker, currently senior vice-president, corporate controller, and treasurer, has been with the company since 2014. She led finance integration efforts following International’s merger, the company said in an announcement.
Her previous experience includes roles as regional controller, Americas, and assistant controller at GE Healthcare for six years. Strycker began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1993 as a senior U.S. audit manager and stayed with the company for 15 years. She is also a certified public accountant who serves as an independent director and audit committee chair for Ducommun Incorporated and is the executive sponsor of International’s employee resource group for women’s leadership.
“Samara has proven expertise in finance, accounting, and operational efficiency,” said Mathias Carlbaum, president and CEO of International. “These skills will help drive forward International’s transformation into a solutions-led and digitally enabled company.”
Puchert to lead Mercedes-Benz Trucks as CEO
The Supervisory Board of Daimler Truck Holding AG announced that Achim Puchert took over as the chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz Trucks on Dec. 1.

He succeeds Karin Radstrom and becomes responsible for the Europe and Latin America regions. Puchert’s term on the board of management will run until Nov. 30, 2027.
Puchert, most recently CEO and president of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil and Latin America, has led the transformation of the business, returning it to profitability in less than three years, the company said in a news release.
Puchert has been with Daimler since 2002, holding roles in sales, marketing, and international operations. His experience includes leading global industrialization projects, joint ventures, and strategic network management for Mercedes-Benz Trucks. Since 2022, he has managed truck and bus operations in South America.
“We from the General Works Council have known Achim Puchert for a long time through his various positions at the Worth plant and in Brazil, among others,” Michael Brecht, deputy chairman of the Supervisory Board and chairman of the General Works Council, said in a release. “We consider him to be a very good choice and support his appointment.”
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