Eugenia Churilov of Kriska Transportation Group named 2026 TCA Safety Professional of the Year

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has awarded Kriska Transportation Group's Eugenia Churilov, CDS, Director of Safety, Compliance and Security, as its 2026 TCA Safety Professional of the Year Award winner. The announcement was made during the General Session at the association’s annual Safety & Security Meeting in Oklahoma City, OK.

This prestigious honor is bestowed upon a trucking industry professional whose actions and achievements have made a profound contribution to enhancing safety on North America’s highways.

Over the course of an accomplished career, Eugenia has helped build and strengthen a culture of safety, compliance, and accountability across both Canada and the United States while overseeing safety operations for five trucking entities within the Kriska Transportation Group. Under her leadership, multiple companies have earned top industry honors, including First Place recognition in the TCA Fleet Safety Awards and consecutive Grand Champion titles for Mill Creek and Liberty Linehaul West.

Widely respected throughout the trucking industry, Eugenia currently serves as Chair of the Toronto Regional Fleet Safety Council after previously serving as Vice Chair and joining the organization’s executive board. She also chairs the NATMI Canadian Curriculum Committee and works closely with industry task forces dedicated to modernizing safety training and compliance education for carriers throughout North America.

Known for her expertise in regulatory compliance, calm leadership during major company consolidations, and unwavering support for drivers and staff, Eugenia has earned a reputation as one of the industry’s most trusted and respected safety professionals. Her leadership style emphasizes teamwork, accountability, mentorship, and continuous improvement, helping create safer operations and stronger safety cultures throughout the organizations she serves.

During the award presentation, TCA leadership praised Eugenia for representing “the very best of the trucking industry and the true meaning of safety leadership,” noting her humility, dedication, and commitment to helping others succeed.

In addition to receiving the award, Eugenia was presented with the traditional burgundy blazer worn by past Safety Professional of the Year recipients, symbolizing her dedication to highway safety and her place among the industry’s most distinguished safety leaders. She also received a specially commissioned TCA Safety Professional of the Year ring sponsored by Creative Concepts.