ATA Recognizes Trucking Industry Works With Awards Luncheon
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition presented Robert Low, president and founder of Prime Inc., with the 2021 Cathy Evans Highway to Victory award.
ATA established the award to recognize a member who helped advance its legislative and regulatory agenda. It is named in honor of Cathy Evans who served as vice president of legislative affairs at ATA.
Low also serves on the board of the American Transportation Research Institute.
Big congrats to our friend Robert Low, President and Founder of Prime Inc and winner of the Cathy Evans Highway to Victory Award. Well deserved!#ATAmce21 #trucking #fleetmanagement #Prime pic.twitter.com/lkgCVaa9Au — ORBCOMM (@ORBCOMM_Inc) October 25, 2021
“This year I couldn’t be more proud than to be associated with an industry like the trucking industry,” Low said. “Our folks have stepped up and we’ve delivered the goods and food and pharmaceuticals to the public.
Bill Sullivan, executive vice president of advocacy at ATA, said that Low led the charge for the trucking industry on many key issues including accident litigation. He also developed and leveraged relationships with congressional leaders to advance efforts on federal preemption and independent contractor issues.
“I feel like we’ve made real progress with getting recognition for the contribution of the trucking industry. And in particular, our drivers, they have done great work,” Low said.
Kendis Paris, executive director of Truckers Against Trafficking, presented the 2021 TAT Champion Award that recognizes the work trucking is doing to combat human trafficking to UPS.
“Over my almost 38 years at UPS, I’ve been involved with many boards,” said Lou Rivieccio, president of corporate transportation at UPS. “Never to discount the great work that goes on with other boards and agencies, but Truckers Against Trafficking really hit a nerve for me, as I’ve been blessed to grow up three wonderful daughters. Although adults now, don’t think for one minute I haven’t played the possibility in my mind that no one is immune from the terror that comes with trafficking.”
Human trafficking, the exploitation of human beings, forced labor or the commercial sex trade, is truly one of the greatest human rights violations of our time, Paris said. “And this year’s winner in the organization category has furthered anti-trafficking work in extraordinary ways.”
UPS is honored for its efforts by Truckers Against Trafficking. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
UPS has trained more than100,000 drivers in anti-trafficking programs. The company donated more than 40 hauls to the anti-trafficking mobile museum, the Freedom Drivers Project. More than a dozen of its drivers have also become Freedom Drivers Project certified so they can conduct their own awareness events. The company often hosts TAT at its terminals for training sessions.
Also presented was the Mike Russell Trucking Image Award, which celebrates companies, organizations and individuals who creatively generate positive awareness of the trucking industry. Winners were the tank truck motor carrier Carbon Express, state affiliate Indiana Motor Truck Association and FedEx freight driver Wayne Crowder.
“The trucking industry is the backbone of our economy and plays a critical role in not only maintaining but also supporting overall economic growth,” said Steve Ponder, executive vice president of Great West Casualty Co. “Many, however, take for granted the importance of our great industry and the dedicated unsung heroes who work tirelessly with professionalism to ensure that we have the essential items that guarantee our prosperity.”
UPS rank No.1 and FedEx Corp. is No. 2 on the Transport Topics top 100 list of for-hire carriers in North America. on the TT100 list.
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