OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has awarded Kriska Transportation Group‘s Eugenia Churilov, CDS, director of safety, compliance and aecurity, as its 2026 TCA Safety Professional of the Year Award winner.
“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,” TCA said.
Eugenia Churilov
Over the course of an accomplished career, Churilov 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, Churilov currently serves as chair of the Toronto Regional Fleet Safety Council after previously serving as vice chair and joining the organization’s executive board,” TCA said. “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.”
A Respected Leader
Known for her expertise in regulatory compliance, calm leadership during major company consolidations, and unwavering support for drivers and staff, Churilov has earned a reputation as one of the industry’s most trusted and respected safety professionals, according to TCA. 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 Churilov 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, Churilov 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.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
