From the driver’s seat to operations leadership: Joel Laviolette’s Midland journey

When Joel Laviolette looks back on his more than 13 years with Midland in Ottawa, his story is rooted in timing, trust and a belief in building something meaningful from the ground up. 

Before officially joining Midland, Joel was already supporting the company while working as a truck driver for another company, handling Midland deliveries and pickups across Ottawa and the surrounding area. At the time, Midland did not have a terminal in the region. When Midland opened its Ottawa terminal in February 2013, continuing that work felt natural. Asked if he wanted to keep supporting Midland, Joel recalls saying, “Of course.” He knew the routes, paperwork and Midland standards inside and out. 

That early exposure left a lasting impression. The chance to help establish Midland as a competitive and trusted presence in the community stood out to him, and the more he learned about Midland’s values and long-term vision, the more he wanted to be part of the team and contribute to its success in Ottawa. 

Joel officially joined Midland as a local delivery driver and spent years supporting day-to-day operations on the road, adapting to the needs of the business and the customers he served. What motivated him most were the relationships he built along the way.  

“The relationships with customers meant everything to me,” he said. “Seeing their smiles and knowing I helped made the work meaningful.” 

After more than a decade on the road, Joel was looking for a new challenge. He looked internally, trusting that Midland could offer a new path forward. When an Operations Supervisor opportunity became available, he applied. 

Today, Joel brings his experience and customer-first mindset into his role as Operations Supervisor. He supports both customers and internal teams, stepping in wherever he’s needed to keep operations moving smoothly. Whether assisting on the dock, covering deliveries during busy periods, or creating tools to improve efficiency, he leads by example and stays closely connected to the work. 

Joel takes pride in living Midland’s values every day, and that dedication has not gone unnoticed. He has been nominated multiple times by peers for Midland’s internal Connected Award, recognizing employees who demonstrate the company’s values in action. Looking ahead, Joel remains focused on growth, teamwork and making a positive impact.