ATA Honors 4 For Image Efforts
SAN DIEGO — Two individuals, a state trucking association and a company were recognized by American Trucking Associations for their efforts to bolster the industry’s image.
The federation handed out the annual Mike Russell Trucking Industry Image Award during its Management Conference & Exhibition on Oct. 5 here.
Every day the industry works to improve its image, said Kevin Burch, vice chairman of ATA as well as president of Dayton, Ohio-based Jet Express Inc.
“The awards we presented today celebrate a company, organization or individual who over the past year has worked tirelessly to generate positive awareness of the trucking industry,” said Burch, who made the presentations.
The winners were:
• Great West Casualty Co. for its tremendous support, particularly from Vice President Steve Ponder, during the development and launch of the Trucking Moves America Forward image campaign.
• The Texas Trucking Association for its tireless work in the Lone Star State to spread the message of safety, essentiality and leadership.
• Mike Card, past ATA chairman and president of Combined Transport, based in Central Point, Oregon, who has served as national fundraising chairman for the Trucking Moves America Forward campaign and used his platform as ATA chairman to get the movement off the ground.
Burch was the other honoree — a surprise acknowledgement bestowed by ATA Chairman Philip Byrd Sr. after the presentations. Burch was recognized for his passion for the industry, his commitment to improving its image and his tireless work with Trucking Moves America Forward, the federation said.
Hugh Fugleberg, president of South Sioux City, Nebraska-based Great West Casualty, said professional drivers and quality management operating safely make the difference.
“Great West has been active in supporting the image of trucking from the get-go,” Fugleberg said in an interview with Transport Topics after receiving the award. “We’ll continue to support it and ask everyone in transportation to.”
The Mike Russell Trucking Image Awards are named in honor of the late trucking executive who helped develop the campaign in his role as ATA’s vice president of public affairs.
The awards ceremony was sponsored by TMW Systems Inc., a transportation management software provider to for-hire and private fleets, brokerage and 3PL organizations.
David Wangler, CEO of TMW, said it is vital to tell how safe and essential trucking is. “It is our pleasure to participate in recognizing those who have helped promote a positive image for this critical industry,” he said.
When ATA sought nominations for the awards’ eighth recognition, the federation was looking for the impact, execution and creativity driving an awareness campaign.
“Each year, we look to honor those carriers, state associations and allied companies who go the extra mile to promote this industry that we are all so proud of,” ATA President Bill Graves said earlier this year.
“As our industry continues to make great strides in safety and environmental sustainability while continuing to play an essential role in the U.S. economy, there has never been a more important time to tell our story,” Graves said.
