07/13/2026
A long overdue post. Meet the Owners! 👋🏼
Derek 🚨
Derek has had a knack for fixing things from an early age. Obtaining his Journeyman Heavy Equipment Technician designation in 2012, he has years of experience maintaining and repairing commercial trucks and heavy equipment. After years of frustration with the lack of reliable freight options in the area, the idea for Defender was born, and Derek brought his experience and problem-solving mindset to help turn that vision into a reliable operation. Today, he oversees fleet maintenance, ensuring every truck is safe, reliable, and road-ready. Whether it’s routine servicing or getting a truck back on the road in the middle of the night, he’s the one the team counts on to make it happen. When he’s not in the shop, you’ll usually find him behind the wheel on a long haul, catching a few hours of sleep in the truck before getting back at it, or working on another project—because sitting still has never really been his thing.
Shaylene 🚨
After spending more than 10 years at home raising five kids, Shaylene jumped back into the workforce without missing a beat. She looks after billing and keeps the office running smoothly, making sure the day-to-day details never get overlooked. Whether she’s helping customers, filling in for dispatch, or making sure things stay on track behind the scenes, Shaylene is always one step ahead. After years of managing a busy household, juggling the fast pace at Defender comes naturally. When she’s not at the office, she’s busy balancing the never-ending schedule of kids’ sports, school activities, and everything else that comes with raising a family of seven.
Jordan 🚨
Born and raised on a farm north of Bonnyville, Jordan developed a strong work ethic and drive to achieve more from an early age. Never one to settle, he spent 12 years working as a Power Engineer both locally and in the Conklin area, earning his 2nd Class Power Engineer ticket, all the while obtaining his Class 1 licence and running his own contracting business on his days off. That same entrepreneurial mindset and determination ultimately led him to co-found Defender, where he combined his hands-on experience and knowledge of the industry to help build the company from the ground up. Today, he oversees day-to-day operations, supports the team wherever he’s needed, and still finds himself behind the wheel more days than not. If there’s a truck to drive, a problem to solve, or a customer to help, chances are Jordan is already on it.
Kirsten 🚨
Originally from Lloydminster, Kirsten now calls Bonnyville home after Jordan finally convinced her to make the move. She earned her CPA designation in 2020 and brings over 10 years of accounting and tax experience to Defender. While working full-time in public accounting, she also managed Defender’s books behind the scenes until joining the team full-time in June 2025. As Controller, she oversees everything accounting—from paying the bills to making sure ours get paid too. If you’ve ever received a friendly payment reminder, it probably came from Kirsten, so it’s best to stay on her good side. When she’s not balancing the books, she’s busy trying to keep the boys from adding another truck to the fleet!
