Four TMC Members Awarded Silver Spark Plugs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Four members of American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council have been awarded the organization’s highest honor — the Silver Spark Plug.

“The Silver Spark Plug recognizes individuals in our industry who are making outstanding contributions to the improvement of equipment, maintenance, industry-related technology and management practices,” said Carl Kirk, TMC’s executive director. 

This year’s recipients included Rob Nissen, national service manager, SAF-Holland USA, Muskegon, Michigan; Glen McDonald, director of maintenance, Ozark Motor Lines, Memphis, Tennessee; George Arrants, program director for national training and recruitment, WheelTime Network, Lake Jackson, Texas; and Brian Mandt, engineering manager, Donaldson Co., Bloomington, Minnesota.

“These individuals are tremendous practitioners and have all been leaders in our industry,” ATA President Bill Graves said. 

TMC General Chairman Dan Umphress, vice president for maintenance and fleet services of A & R Logistics in Morris, Illinois, said the honorees “represent the best of our council in their commitment to improved engineering and maintenance standards through the development of TMC recommended practices.” 

Nissen, a TMC member since 1994, has been active in the S.6 Chassis and Brake Systems and S.7 Trailers, Bodies and Material Handling Study Groups, chairing numerous task forces and serving as a moderator or panelist for technical sessions. 

McDonald, a TMC member since 2004, was active in the leadership of the S.5 Fleet Maintenance Management Study Group as task force chairman, first vice chairman and then chairman before becoming a director at-large on the TMC Board of directors in 2012.

Glen McDonald of Ozark Motor Lines is a Silver Spark Plug Winner at #TMC2015 pic.twitter.com/ZeKrQcZH5s — Mike_Malloy_TT (@MikeMalloy9) February 17, 2015

Arrants, a TMC member since 2005, has served as contest chairman of the National Technician Skills Competition — TMCSuperTech — since its inaugural year in 2005 and has recently spearheaded the effort to expand the competition to include student technicians.

Mandt, a TMC member since 2008, serves as the study group secretary and task force chairman for the S.3 Engine Study Group. He continues to contribute preparation for technical sessions, including a fleet fuel survey in advance of the 2015 Fall Meeting.

The recipients were announced at a Feb. 16 session of the TMC annual conference.