Dave Wicks is known well in Van Kam’s Kamloops team, but his journey with us began long before his current role as a P&D driver. Over the past decade, Dave has gone from night shifts on BC’s highways to daylight routes that let him spend more time with family, all while earning a reputation as a hardworking, music-loving, and people-first member of the Van Kam Fam.
Dave’s career started in the oil fields, working long overnight shifts before spotting a job ad for Van Kam. He reached out to Bev Stewart, our Director of Linehaul, and began his journey as a turnpike highway driver. He handled night shifts for eight years on routes like Kelowna to Rogers Pass and Surrey to Kamloops.
“The freedom on the road was the best part,” Dave says. “Just me, the truck, and the music. I’d crank Metallica. I was raised on it.” Along with Metallica, the progressive rock sounds of Pink Floyd also made it on to his road playlists.
While he loved his time on the highway, Dave eventually switched to a P&D role in Kamloops to spend more time with his family. Now covering the Salmon Arm to Merritt route, Dave thrives in his role. “I love interacting with customers,” he shares. “I’m a people person, so this job is a perfect fit,” he continues.
For Dave, the relationships he’s built at Van Kam mean the most. He speaks highly of his colleagues and notably mentions our Kamloops Terminal Manager, Dave Goss. “One time, I was in a road incident with a driver who fell asleep at the wheel. It was 1 a.m., and I called Dave. He got out of bed, came to where I was, and stayed until everything was sorted. That’s the kind of support we have here.”
When he’s not behind the wheel, Dave loves fishing at spots like Paul Lake and walking his two dogs, Nutmeg and Mika. Mika’s name, he laughs, comes from his wife, who thought “half a squirrel” was perfect for their six-pound pup.
Looking back on 10 years with Van Kam, Dave reflects on the journey with gratitude. Whether driving through the night with Metallica on full blast or enjoying customer interactions in Kamloops, Dave’s passion for the job and the people shines through.
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