DEAN’S MESSAGE
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS
John Koliaska has come a long way without straying far from his roots.
Fuelling Success John Koliaska (BMgt ’95) lives outside of Lethbridge in the home he grew up in, just on the other side of the fence from his business headquarters. And while he doesn’t farm with his father anymore, like he did when he was younger, Koliaska’s JK Trucking is heavily involved in agricultural transport. Koliaska credits his farming background and his father’s attitude for his restless work ethic and respect for people. “Too many people use the phrase, ‘It’s just business,’ to excuse questionable business practices,” says Koliaska. “But my dad never had a different line of ethics in business from his personal life, and that has meant a lot to me.” True to his upbringing, Koliaska is not afraid of hard work. Admitting to sleeping only three to four hours each night, Koliaska’s energy has paid off. JK Trucking has grown from three to 43 trucks (and 55 employees) in less than eight years. One of the main challenges facing the transport industry, Koliaska points out, is rising
fuel prices. Fortunately, just next door to JK Trucking and Koliaska’s home is Kyoto Fuels – a biodiesel plant. Koliaska is vice-president of business development for Kyoto Fuels Corp., which will provide his trucking fleet with up to 20 per cent of its fuel by the summer of 2008.
“We’ll be the first fleet in Canada to use biodiesel in all of our trucks.” Koliaska explains that the technology is very cost-effective and resilient. The company is able to make fuel from both animal tallow and oil seed and will produce 33 million litres a year by this summer. In that same time frame, Koliaska will have another boast: “We’ll be the first fleet in Canada to use biodiesel in all of our trucks.” JK Trucking has received many accolades
over the years, including the 2005 Business Development Bank of Canada Small Business Award of Distinction, and was ranked by Alberta Venture magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in Alberta in 2003 and 2004. Despite his success, Koliaska maintains his people-first philosophy. “Valuing people and building relationships is probably the main skill I’ve used to grow the business,” says Koliaska. “This is a high-turnover business, but we have one of the lowest rates of driver turnover in the industry.” Koliaska is a strong supporter of community organizations, including the Canadian Cancer Society, various lacrosse, hockey and motocross organizations, and numerous children’s causes – just to name a few. He adds, “Though much of our business deals with head offices in Winnipeg and Regina, our drivers are from southern Alberta. It’s important for them to see our involvement in the community right here.”
M an ag e m e n t m at t e rs |
2008
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