Officers Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wayne Watkins Vice Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greg Brown Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bruce MacDonald Immediate Past Chairman . . . . .Kevin Savoy
ATA Board of Directors Steve Aronhalt, Dennis Bailey, Robert Barnett, Aubrey Baugh, Rhonda Bees, Joe Black, Gary Bond, Jack Brim, Ray Brock, Will Bruser, Mike Callahan, Dan Carmichael, Fenn Church, Mark Coffman, Jeff Coleman, John Collier, Rodger Collins, Driscoll Colquett, Brent Cook, Gail Cooper, Al Cox, Jerry Davis, Ranny Davis, Joe Donald, Edmund Doss, Mack Dove, Russ Elrod, Dean Flint, Jack Fricks, Terry Kilpatrick, Susan Kirkpatrick, Jason King, Mark Knotts, Jerry Kocan, Drew Linn, Hunter Lyons, Bart McCrory, Jeff McGrady, Barry McGriff, Tom McLeod, Buck Moore, E.H. Moore, Jr., Ross Neely, Jr., Tommy Neely, George Overstreet, Butch Owens, Clay Palm, Jim Pickens, Mike Pursley, David Rouse, Bill Scruggs, Danny Smith, Harold Sorrells, Ronnie Stephenson, Steve Stinson, Paul Storey, John Summerford, James Suttles, Bill Ward, Scott White, David Wildberger, Skip Williams, T.J. Willings, Keith Wise.
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Published quarterly by the Alabama Trucking Assn., P.O. Box 242337, Montgomery, AL 36124-2337. ADVERTISING RATES: Quoted upon request.
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ATA’s Fleet Safety & Maintenance Management Council gathered at the Pelham Civic Complex in late March to honor Alabama’s safest fleets, drivers, maintenance professionals and safety managers.
Standard Bearer
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Alabama Truck Driver of the Year Benny Lewis has travelled nearly 3-million accident-free miles for Golden Flake Transportation. He has given 40 years of his life to being a standard bearer for professional drivers everywhere.
Convention Coverage
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This past spring, ATA hosted its 77th Annual Convention & Meeting, attracting more than 430 attendees and guests representing 144 member firms for three days of networking, fellowship and fun. Organizers called it the group’s most successful meeting in years.
J. Frank Filgo, CAE, President & CEO Tim Frazier, CDS, Director of Safety & Member Services Jane Nixon, Executive Assistant Lynn Thornton, Bookkeeper Ford Boswell, Director of Communications Brandie Norcross, Administrative Assistant
Kimble Coaker, CEO & Fund Administrator Don Boatright, COO Don Anchors, Director of Loss Control & Safety Todd Hager, Director of Claims Debra Calhoun, Office Manager Scott Hunter, MS, CDS, Loss Control Engineer Duane Calhoun, CDS, Loss Control Engineer Kimberly Best, Payroll/Audit Coordinator Kim Campbell, Underwriting Coordinator Katie Edwards, Accounting Specialist Kim Sims, Administrative Assistant
H I S
Honoring Our Best
ATA Staff
ATA WCSIF Staff
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President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Safety Insights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 SMMC Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Trucking News Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Buyers’ Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 ATA Events and New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Alabama Trucking Association
Alabama Trucking Association 334-834-3983 • www.alabamatrucking.org A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2015
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From the President
A Tribute to ATA Chairman Wayne Watkins
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Frank Filgo, CAE President and CEO Alabama Trucking Association
‘(ATA) is financially secure, its members are actively engaged, the association is strong in stature and distinction, additional coalitions and partnerships have been established, and highway safety is never compromised.’
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s of June 30, 2015, Wayne Watkins will have completed his one-year term as Chairman of the Board of the Alabama Trucking Association. As always, this past year was filled with many industry challenges and opportunities. However, it will go down in the Association’s chronicles among the most productive years in its history. What follows are just a few of the accomplishments and highlights of ATA under the leadership of Wayne Watkins: l During the election year of 2014, ATA’s political action arm spent $1,029,500 supporting selected pro-truck candidates for statewide offices and state legislative district seats. Eighty-four cents out of every dollar spent went to winners. Winners included candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor and two seats on the State Supreme Court. In State Senate contests, TRUK PAC supported candidates won 25 seats and lost only two. In the House, our candidates won 48 seats and lost nine. l The 2015 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature began with a summons to raise additional tax revenue for the General Fund Budget - much of it targeting the automotive industry. In the mix were proposed increases on sales and lease taxes on vehicles, along with a sales tax increase on lubricating oil. Another significant tax increase proposal was an increased Business Privilege Tax for all entities doing business in Alabama. None of these tax proposals passed. However, that is not the end of the tax debate. A Special Session will soon be called to plug the hole in the General Fund Budget. It remains to be seen what new taxes will be proposed. That said, the upshot for trucking is that no anti-truck bills passed during the 2015 Regular Session. l The Alabama Trucking Association successfully challenged the Alabama Department of Revenue’s practice of mandating
that the tax value of new model vehicles for property tax purposes is 89 percent of manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). This will result in an estimated 20 percent reduction in the taxable value of new model vehicles. This comes on the heels of another court victory whereby property taxes on trucks involved in interstate commerce had to be apportioned. These court challenges provide significant tax breaks for the Alabama trucking industry. l Member participation and support of ATA’s meetings and events were at an alltime high. The 2015 ATA Convention drew its largest attendance in its 77-year history. The 2014 Golf Classic played the largest group in its 25-year plus history, and more importantly, sponsorships for the tournament broke all previous records. Likewise, the SMMC Fleet Safety Awards and the Alabama Truck Driving Championships drew large crowds. l ATA endorsed the Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) for the purpose of educating, equipping, empowering and mobilizing members of the trucking and travel plaza industry to combat domestic sex trafficking. We hope to gain a high percentage of member fleet participants for this important outreach program. l ATA ends its fiscal year as of June 30, 2015 with a surplus which preserves the Association’s future prosperity. In summary, due to the leadership of ATA Chairman of the Board Wayne Watkins, the Alabama Trucking Association is financially secure, its members are actively engaged, the association grew in stature and distinction, additional coalitions and partnerships have been established, and highway safety is never compromised. Thank you Mr. Chairman for your leadership and your commitment to trucking — Well Done!
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ATA honors members By Ford Boswell
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he Alabama Trucking Association’s Safety & Maintenance Management Council held its annual safety awards banquet in late March at the Pelham Civic Center to showcase the state’s safest fleet managers, drivers and trucking firms. The event honors Alabama trucking participants for excellence in highway safety, with more than 53 awards handed out to ATA member firms and their employees. The ceremony drew 200 attendees to the Pelham Civic Center and included an open bar and catered dinner made possible by the collected donations of several ATA member firms, including Ahern & Associates; Birmingham Freightliner; Nextran Truck Center; Rand McNally; and Vertical Alliance Group, provider of Infint-i online safety training. To be eligible to participate in the awards program, contestants must be a member of the Alabama Trucking Association in good standing and have at least one terminal or branch located in the state. They must submit a career portfolio outlining the applicant’s credentials, awards, experience, and efforts to improve the trucking industry’s safety reputation. Portfolios were judged by an independent panel composed of experts from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Alabama Department of Public Safety, and the Governor’s office. Submissions are presented to the panel anonymously with no indication of who the applicant is or who they work for. ATA staff or members are not involved with the panel’s decision in any way.
of working as a truck driver, his driving record is spotless and his reputation in the industry is impeccable. His employer, Golden Flake, also won the Presidential Award, as Alabama’s safest fleet. That award is sponsored by Birmingham Freightliner. (Read more about Lewis and Golden Flake and their Presidential Award sponsor Mike Thompson of awards on page 8.) Birmingham Freightliner and recipient Golden First Runner Up for Driver Flake Transportation’s Butch Owens of the Year was Homer Kuykendall of Charles G. Lawson Trucking in Montgomery, Ala. Kuykendall has placed several times for the awards, and won it in 1997.
Safety Professional of the Year
Driver of the Year
From left, Chairman Watkins; Safety Professional of the Year Allan Hicks, and award sponsors Brain Haley and Robert Westergard of Ahern & Associates
ATA Chairman Wayne Watkins stands with Alabama Driver of the Year Benny Lewis and award sponsor Tim Tucker of Nextran Truck Center.
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of Benny Lewis as Alabama Driver of the Year. The award is sponsored by Nextran Truck Center. Lewis has driven for Golden Flake since 1978 where his duties include delivering product, unloading it by hand, and accounting supplies for inventory. His supervisors call him the “standard bearer for what a professional truck driver should be.” Golden Flake has even used him in one of its television commercials. Moreover, in his more than 40 years 4
This year’s Safety Professional of the Year is no stranger to the nation’s fleet safety community. For nearly two decades, Allan Hicks, Vice President of Human Resources and Safety for B.R. Williams Trucking in Oxford, Ala., has earned a strong reputation in his field, occupying numerous leadership positions for the American Trucking Associations, the Alabama Trucking Association, and SMMC. On top of those credentials, he has worked in trucking for 45 years with the last 18 in fleet safety management. For the SMMC, Hicks has served as the Birmingham Chapter’s Chairman and spearheaded the group’s popular Alabama Truck Driving Championships on several occasions. He has become one of that group’s most dedicated members and a staunch advocate of its mission. “Allan has a passion for driver training and worked extensively over the past few years developing a premier training program that has reduced crashes and injuries for his employer by tracking driver progress and development,” said ATA Director of Safety Tim Frazier. “According to his superiors at B.R. Williams, Allan’s work has paid off tremendously with consistent reductions in truck accidents due to his in-depth driver training and mentoring. He has also been A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2015
for safety excellence one of our Association’s go-to guys for fleet safety expertise. Like his employer, we are very appreciative of his efforts and commitment.” This year’s award is sponsored by Ahern & Associates, Ltd. First Runner up is Wal-Mart Transportation’s Dennis Bailey.
Maintenance Professional of the Year Two and a half years ago, J&M Tank Lines, Inc. Vice President of Maintenance Billy Lollar was hired to breathe new life into a fleet maintenance department that maintains 350 tractors and 550 trailers. Company owners felt the mainte- Chairman Watkins stands with Maintenance Professional nance department was of the Year Billy Lollar and award sponsor Allan Hicks of falling behind similar Vertical Alliance Group. operations. They challenged Lollar to upgrade the department to keep up with modern trends for fleet safety and equipment maintenance. With more than 36 years of experience, a proven track record, and a slew of industry accolades, Lollar moved quickly to bring J&M Tank Lines in line to implement policies and programs to not only change the culture at the company’s shop, but also increase its capacity to move freight with more uptime. According to company officials, Lollar’s tweaks directly improved CSA scores and overall performance. “We rely on Billy to keep our maintenance program current with the newest technologies,” says J&M Tank Lines, Inc. COO Jim Pickens. “He has quickly earned the respect of our (management team), as well as the employees in the shop. We are so proud of his work and leadership. His skill, experience and knowledge have made our team better.” Award sponsor is Vertical Alliance Group, provider of the ATA’s online safety traning software Infinit-i.
Fleet Manager of the Year Terminal manager Sherri Hill started working with the Birmingham-based tank carrier in 1996. Through the years she gained the trust and respect of company owners who promoted her several times from part-time bookkeeper to dispatcher and then as the 60-year-old
Chairman Watkins stands with Fleet Manager of the Year Sherri Hill and award sponsor Frank Lancaster of Rand McNally.
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company’s first female terminal manager. Her fast rise with the company was no surprise to J&M’s leadership who came to rely on Hill’s solid business sense, excellent organizational skills, and ability to relate with all employees, from truck cab to shop floor. J&M’s COO Pickens points to one project in particular as an example of Hill’s outstanding leadership qualities and abilities to get the job done effectively and efficiently. “When we decided to centralize our dispatch and customer service functions to one location, Sherri was our first choice to spearhead the project,” he said. “She was placed in charge of 10 dispatchers and more than 300 drivers. Her dedication and hard work made the transition a huge success. She’s a very hands-on manager. She never asks someone to do anything she isn’t willing to do herself – or hasn’t done before.” J&M officials also tout Hill’s ability to build a consensus among all departments within the company’s corporate structure. “She understands that while operations is a key revenue producer for a trucking business, she never sacrifices fleet safety for profits,” Pickens added. The award is sponsored by Rand McNally.
Fleet Safety Improvement Awards The following firms were recognized for improving their overall safety records from 2013 to 2014: Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc. American Proteins, Inc. RM Logistics, Inc. ABC Transportation, Inc. Montgomery Transport, LLC Watkins Trucking Co., Inc. TCW, Inc. Greenbush Logistics, Inc. Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC Church Transportation and Logistics, Inc. J&D Burgess, Inc. Buddy Moore Trucking, Inc. (van division) ABF Freight System, Inc. P&S Transportation, Inc. B.R. Williams Trucking, Inc. Billy Barnes Enterprises, Inc. Massey Hauling Co., Inc. Charles G Lawson Trucking, Inc. Action Resources, Inc. J&M Tank Lines, Inc. Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. SNL Distribution Services Corp. FedEx Freight, Inc. AAA Cooper Transportation, Inc.
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Fleet Safety Contest Winners General Commodities Linehaul Under 1 Million Miles 1st Place: Church Transportation & Logistics, Inc. 2nd Place: MTB Transport, Inc. 3rd Place: B&G Supply Co., Inc.
General Commodities Local 1 to 3 Million Miles 1st Place: RM Logistics, Inc. 2nd Place: ABF Freight System, Inc. 3rd Place: Evergreen Transport, LLC
General Commodities Combined over 10 Million Miles 1st Place: AAA Cooper Transportation 2nd Place: FedEx Freight, Inc. 3rd Place: Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc.
General Commodities Linehaul 1 to 3 Million Miles 1st Place: Charles G. Lawson Trucking, Inc. 2nd Place: Montgomery Transport, LLC 3rd Place: TCW, Inc.
General Commodities Local 3 to 5 Million Miles 1st Place: Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. 2nd Place: AAA Cooper Transportation
Tank Truck 1st Place: Action Resources, Inc. 2nd Place: Charles G. Lawson Trucking, Inc. 3rd Place: J & M Tank Lines, Inc.
General Commodities Linehaul 3 to 5 Million Miles 1st Place: Billy Barnes Enterprises, Inc. 2nd Place: ABF Freight Systems, Inc. 3rd Place: Buddy Moore Trucking, Inc. (Flatbed) General Commodities Linehaul 5 to 10 Million Miles 1st Place: BR Williams Trucking, Inc. 2nd Place: AAA Cooper Transportation, Inc. 3rd Place: P&S Transportation, Inc.
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General Commodities Local 5 to 10 Million Miles 1st Place: Billy Barnes Enterprises, Inc. 2nd Place: FedEx Freight, Inc. General Commodities Combined Under 1 Million Miles 1st Place: Church Transportation & Logistics, Inc. 2nd Place: J&D Burgess, Inc. General Commodities Combined 1 to 3 Million Miles 1st Place: Charles G. Lawson Trucking, Inc. 2nd Place: Buddy Moore Trucking, Inc. (Van) 3rd Place: My-Way Transportation, Inc.
General Commodities Linehaul over 10 Million Miles 1st Place: Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC 2nd Place: FedEx Freight, Inc. 3rd Place: Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc.
General Commodities Combined 3 to 5 Million Miles 1st Place: Buddy Moore Trucking, Inc. (Flatbed)
General Commodities Local under 1 Million Miles 1st Place: Buddy Moore Trucking, Inc. (Flatbed) 2nd Place: BR Williams Trucking, Inc. 3rd Place: Church Transportation & Logistics, Inc.
General Commodities Combined 5 to 10 Million Miles 1st Place: BR Williams Trucking, Inc. 2nd Place: Billy Barnes Enterprises, Inc. 3rd Place: P&S Transportation, Inc.
Hazardous Materials 1st Place: Georgia Tank Lines, LLC Miscellaneous Category 1 to 3 Million Miles 1st Place: Massey Hauling Company, Inc. Miscellaneous Category 5 to 10 Million Miles 1st Place: SNL Distribution Services Corp. Household Goods 1st Place: Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. Private Carrier Under 1 Million Miles 1st Place: Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc. 2nd Place: Scott Bridge Company, Inc. Private Carrier Over 5 Million Miles 1st Place: American Proteins, Inc.
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Slow, Calculated After 40 years on the road, Golden Flake’s Benny Lewis finally gets his due.
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By Ford Boswell BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Alabama Truck Driver of the Year Benny Lewis has travelled nearly 3-million accident-free miles, giving 40 years of his life to being a standard bearer for professional drivers everywhere. His work ethic and safety efforts, coupled with his employer’s commitment to excellence, perfectly demonstrate why he’s considered among the state’s elite drivers. During ATA Safety & Maintenance Management Council’s recent Alabama Fleet Safety Awards Banquet held last March in Pelham, the 61-year-old was tapped the state’s best professional truck driver. The award is sponsored by Nextran Truck Centers. Golden Flake Snack Foods’ transportation department has been a leader in Alabama’s trucking community for years. Fleet managers make sure drivers have the tools they need to succeed, while adhering to strict equipment maintenance routines and following the DOT rules and regulations. The company, based in Birmingham for 92 years, is recognized regionally for its offering of fresh, quality snack foods. They offer a complete line of potato and corn chips, fried pork skins, cheese curls, crackers and popcorn, as well as many other snack food items. Its yellow chip logo is ubiquitous at sporting and entertainment events across the southeast. But among fleet safety professionals, Golden Flake’s safety programs and driver pool are considered among the state’s best, and thus routinely recognized by this Association for its efforts. Until this past spring, however, the company had never had a driver win the Alabama Trucking Association’s top driver award. That honor finally went to Lewis who has worked for Golden Flake for 36 years – all of that time driving large commercial trucks. He is one of the company’s most trusted and beloved employees. His loyalty, work ethic and good nature have endeared him to the entire Golden Flake family. The company has even featured Lewis in a regional television commercial which aired for a season on the old Jefferson Pilot SEC College Football Game of the Week. Butch Owens, the company’s Director of Transportation, says Lewis has driven trucks A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2015
Ride to the Top Butch Owens
for Golden Flake since 1978. His duties include delivering product, unloading it by hand and accounting for the transfer of inventory. In their award nomination letter, company officials called him a “standard bearer for what a professional truck driver should be.” That’s high praise from a company that has had hundreds of great drivers through the years. After four decades on the road, Lewis’s driving record is spotless, and his reputation in the industry is impeccable. Officially, he has logged 2.7 million miles for Golden Flake without an accident. “Frankly, I know it sounds cliché but his driving record is spotless,” Owens says. “He’s never even gotten a ticket – at least not during the 18 years that I have been here.” Then Owens pauses, grins, and continues, “Well, I will tell you that a few years ago he did get pulled over by a patrolman for crossing the shoulder line with the back of the trailer,” he laughs. “He didn’t get a ticket but Benny still came back and told on himself because he didn’t want to get into trouble. He was so mad that he got pulled over. He said, ‘Mr. Butch I don’t
Maintenance Manager Trent Teal A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2015
think I crossed that line.’” When asked about the incident, Lewis offers a slight mea culpa, “I might have touched it a little, but it wasn’t for very long. I was trying to grab a coffee cup.” As funny as that story sounds, the fact that the incident, (which amounted to nothing in terms of marring a spotless driving record), still weighs on Lewis’s mind is a testament to his dedication to being a great driver. His tenacious commitment to excellence is exactly why a panel of independent judges, composed of representatives from state and federal motor carrier safety agencies, unanimously chose him as this year’s top driver.
Long Career in Trucking Like a lot of men of his generation, Lewis has had only a few jobs during his career. Before joining Golden Flake, he worked briefly for Sears, Roebuck & Co. in Birmingham, and then drove a delivery truck for a furniture store. He grew up on his family’s Hill in his trailer. cotton farm in an unincorporated community called Panola, located in Sumter Co. near the Alabama-Mississippi state line. His father M.T. Lewis died when he was very young, so he and his brothers and sisters were expected to help their late mother, Laura Lee, maintain the farm. It was their only source of livelihood, so days in the field could be long, hot and grueling. “Coming up on a cotton farm, we were all pretty used to hard work,” he explains. “It was nothing we thought about in a bad way, to tell you the truth. We just did whatever we had to do to help our mother after my daddy passed.” In his late teens he started taking on odd jobs working with other local farms. “When I was still pretty young,” he recalls, “I
That One Time He Almost Quit n his nearly 40 years of driving a truck, IreerBenny Lewis has never regretted his capath. But there was one time when he considered parking his truck for good. About 15 years ago, Lewis was unloading a trailer after hours at a delivery point in Jackson, Miss. It was dark, and he was alone at the terminal trying to put in a longer day than usual to get back home a little early to take care of some personal business. Working alone in the warehouse, Lewis was going about his business, when he was startled by a masked gunman who appeared from the dark at the back of the trailer. The gunman told Lewis to stop what he was doing. “He asked me why we fired his brother,” Lewis recalls. “I said, “Man, I didn’t have anything to do with your brother getting fired. I’m just a truck driver. I’m just making a delivery and then heading home to my family. You got the wrong man!’ So he then yells, ‘You a damn lie!’ He then told me to give him my wallet, which I explained was in the truck cab. He had me go get it, and when I handed it to him he said, ‘You look like a hard worker. You better lie down, count to 100 and don’t move.’ So I did just that, laying there until I was pretty sure he was gone. It shook me up real bad. I wasn’t sure I wanted to do this job anymore.” Lewis rarely travels with large amounts of cash but unfortunately on that day he had just pulled about $600 from the bank to pay a contractor who had just finished repairs to his home. “He took everything,” he says. “But I was so scared, I wasn’t thinking about anything but getting home at that point.” Lewis says he thought about the incident for a long time. “When I saw that big gun in my face, I was scared I was about to die right there next to my truck,” he says. “I was thinking this might be my last time driving.” The robber was never apprehended, but Lewis no longer carries cash on the road or works alone after dark. “I never carried a credit card until then,” he says.
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worked for some people who had larger farms driving tractors and baling hay, so I knew how to work hard and operate big machinery. I got into trucking when I used to help a fellow from around my hometown who had an old 10-speed Dodge truck. I pretty much learned how to drive on the road from him.” In his 20s, he moved to Birmingham finding work briefly with Sears, and later worked for Alabama Spring Air Bedding, making local deliveries with a large straight truck. It was there, he says, where he received more formal driver and safety train-
ing. It was also there that he realized trucking might be something he could pursue as a career path, so he began putting feelers out for job opportunities. “I had a cousin who used to drive big trucks for Golden Flake,” he says. “He helped me get hired on, and I made some of my first runs with him. He worked here for a long time, but he now drives for AAA Cooper Transportation and is doing pretty well.” Company managers hired Benny on the spot, recognizing his experience and work ethic immediately. They promised to put
him in a truck as soon as possible, and within weeks of signing on, he drove his first overnight run into Tennessee. He first drove under former ATA Chairman of the Board Hubert Rogers who ran the company’s transportation side for more than 20 years. Benny says Rogers was a big influence on his career at Golden Flake. “All the managers here really keep us drivers trained up well,” he says. “But they also make sure our equipment is in good shape. They always tell me ‘if you think your equipment isn’t right, don’t go out until you’re sure it’s ready to go.’ I always
Culture of Safety, Efficiency
Golden Flake’s safety programs reverberate throughout the entire operation.
uring its Safety Awards ceremony, ATA’s safety council recognized D Golden Flake with a Presidential Award for the fleet with the most miles driven within the state without an accident – an honor the company routinely qualifies for and has won several times. Golden Flake’s transportation department comprises both fleet safety and equipment maintenance for the efforts of 29 long-haul drivers. The company has 37 trucks and 80 trailers. The transport team delivers product from plants in both Birmingham and Ocala Fla., throughout the Southeastern U.S. If your state has a team in the SEC Football conference, Golden Flake is sold in those states as well as Oklahoma, Indiana, Illinois and North Carolina. Transport routes are fairly straight and the trucks rarely perform back hauls. Collectively, Golden Flake drivers travelled nearly 1 million miles in Alabama last year without a single accident. Getting the prod10
uct safely to their sales team is the transportation’s side main focus. Company officials say what sets their fleet safety efforts apart from others is a mix of factors. Low driver turnover and a driver pool with many years of experience and training are the main contributors to their success. Being a private carrier with more control over its own operations allows them to keep a close watch on both equipment maintenance and fuel efficiency, while fostering a culture of safety within the entire company. According to Owens, the luxury of having a low driver turnover rate is probably the most crucial factor for the company’s success at maintaining a safe and efficient fleet. Looking over a list of company drivers shows most drivers have more than 5 years of experience, and several have 20 years or more with the company. They stay with the company longer than the norm because of its culture of treating drivA LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2015
take time to do my pre-trip the right way. I check my lights, brakes, tires, everything. I don’t rush out of the yard. I also make sure to get the right amount of rest, and take my time to do the job right – that’s all it really takes to make a difference in this business. These younger drivers are often in a rush. They don’t want to wait on anything. That’s when accidents happen.” As a veteran driver, Lewis says, he tries to lead the younger guys by example. He doesn’t preach a lot, so earning ATA’s driver of the year award for him justifies his long, slow approach to driving.
He admits it’s a highlight of his career so far, and one that he will always cherish. “Winning this award has been a thrill for me,” Lewis says. “It made me very proud that I won it. ATA had my wife, Flossie, and I down (to Destin, Fla.) for its annual meeting. I’m really grateful for all the recognition and everything that’s been done for me and my family.” Since winning the award, he’s heard from old friends, colleagues and family offering congratulations. Of course, he appreciates the attention, but it’s nice to let things settle and just get back to driving.
Looking ahead, he admits he really doesn’t have immediate plans for retirement. “I’d like to keep doing this as long as I physically can,” he says. “I don’t really know anything else. I will say that I’d like to at least make it to 65, and then maybe then I’ll think about what I’d like to do next. I do know that one day I’m going to take Flossie for a long drive around the country to see some of the things I’ve seen driving my truck all these years.” For an old school driver like Lewis, there couldn’t be a better way to go out than that.
Golden Flake has been a leading snack food maker for nearly a century.
The company’s shop maintains general maintenance and upkeep for a fleet of 37 trucks and 80 trailers, as well as a large fleet of step vans.
ers as part of the team, focusing on their development as professionals and not simply as a renewable resource. “Our success in safety is mainly due to the company’s commitment to giving us the tools and professional staff to get the job done,” says Owens. “Safe drivers, good supervision and training, is a recipe for success in any business.” “Our drivers are expected to do a lot more than others out there,” says safety manager Jimmy Price. “They unload their trucks by hand – usually by themselves. It’s a lot of work on these guys, but we try to make their jobs easier through good routing and dispatching. Keeping our trucks and equipment well maintained to avoid downtime allows them to do their jobs at a high level of professionalism with very little frustration.” He adds that another key factor to retaining drivers is offering more
home time. “We decided years ago, to do our best to have our driver’s home on the weekends, to spend time with the family,” Price says. Fleet maintenance is spearheaded by Trent Teal, who along with another full-time service tech, focus on general maintenance for the entire fleet, closely watching routine tire maintenance and engine fluid and filter replacement according to manufactured specs. Most importantly, the service department serves as a gatekeeper for trucks requiring more involved repairs. Those are sent to the truck’s respective dealer. “We don’t have a large service staff or millions of dollars invested in computerized truck diagnostics,” Teal says. “We do what we can inhouse and rely on our truck vendors for the major repairs and rebuilds. We assess each write up as it comes in for maintenance, to determine the best plan to get the truck repaired. It is my job to make sure that each piece of equipment leaves here as safe as it can possibly be.”
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ATA Celebrates Industry, Plans for Future T
he Alabama Trucking Association hosted its 77th Annual Convention & Meeting in late April, attracting more than 432 attendees and guests representing 144 member firms for three days of networking, fellowship and fun. The event was held at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla. According to Convention Chairman Greg Brown, CEO of B.R. Williams Trucking, Inc. in Oxford, Ala., this year’s meeting continued a trend of increased member participation, sponsorships and attendance. Sponsorships were up slightly from the previous year, but the biggest surprise was a near 10 percent increase in attendance over 2014. (See a full list of sponsors on pages 16) “The key to the success of every Convention is linked to sponsorships and registration fees,” stated Brown in his convention report to the ATA Board of Directors. Sponsorships this year totaled nearly $240,000, while registrations accounted for about $140,000. “That’s incredible support from our members,” he said. “Our members are very supportive of this event, and their reviews of the programs, presenters, and their overall experience were very positive. I am grateful for the support of our many sponsors, my convention committee, the ATA staff, and everyone who attended. An event of this magnitude is certainly a group effort.” Brown said he is especially indebted to his Convention Finance Committee including Joe Black of McGriff Tire Co.; Rhonda Bee of Shoreline Transportation of
Alabama, LLC; Gary Bond of BancorpSouth Equipment Finance; Jack Brim of B. R. Williams Trucking, Inc.; Fenn Church of Church Transportation & Logistics, Inc.; Mark Coffman of Coffman International, Inc.; John Collier of Transport Trailer Center; Rodger Collins of Industrial Warehouse Services, Inc.; Susan Kirkpatrick of Buddy Moore Trucking, Inc.; Bart McCrory of Baldwin Transfer Co., Inc.; Kevin Savoy of Greenbush Logistics, Inc.; and Wayne Watkins of Watkins Trucking Co., Inc. “These men and women represent some of our Association’s most dedicated members,” Brown said. “They are industry leaders we can always count on. Their effort to drum up member support for our meeting was a crucial element in its overall success. They spent countless hours of their own time making sure we reached our goals. I am so thankful to each of them. They really delivered for the Association.”
Presentations & Recognitions ATA’s annual convention is always a balance of work and play. On the eve before the opening session, the group gathered for a few hours on the hotel deck for a welcome reception. The event featured live music, refreshments, and a picturesque sunset over the Emerald Coast. Door prizes were provided by Industrial Warehouse Services. Friday’s business meeting featured two important presentations to make attendees consider their roles in the trucking industry beyond the daily grind of operating a business. First up was Kylla Lanier, deputy direc-
During Convention, ATA Workers’ Comp Fund officials honored several members, including Ken Adams (above photo, standing on the left with Fund Chairman Beau Wicks) for longtime service to the Fund; Fund CEO Kimble Coaker (left photo, standing on the right) hands a plaque to Beau Wicks for his service as Chairman; and below, Coaker, right, honors Wayne Krupica (center) of York Risk Services for his firm’s longtime financial support.
ATA legend Buddy More
Boyd Bros.’s Gail Cooper, left, congratulates ATA president Frank Filgo on winning the Webb Award.
National ATA Dave Osiecki
tor and co-founder of Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that seeks to educate, equip, empower and mobilize members of the trucking industry about the critical role they can play in fighting human trafficking. Earlier this year, ATA pledged finances and resources to support this group’s important mission. Human trafficking and forced labor (such as drug trafficking and prostitution) are among the most destructive crimes in the U.S. Lanier has been involved in the fight since 2007, when she helped initiate a state coalition against trafficking in Oklahoma. Today, she focuses on bringing attention of these terrible crimes to truckers across the country. After a brief intermission, best-selling author and inspiration for the movie “Black Hawk Down,” retired Chief Warrant Officer Four Michael Durant told his moving and heart-racing account of life in the line of fire as an Army helicopter pilot shot down in 1993 as part of Operation Gothic Serpent during the Somali Civil War. After his presentation, Durant, CEO of Pinnacle Solutions, an engineering services company based in Huntsville, Ala., visited with attendees, posed for photos and signed copies of his book “In the Company of Heroes,” which recants his experiences in the Battle of Mogadishu, Korea, the Persian Gulf, Thailand, Panama and Iraq. Speakers appeared courtesy of the ACT I Level sponsors. Signed copies of Durant’s book were provided by Carrier Transicold South. Saturday morning’s Membership Meeting focused on the general affairs and current business of the Alabama Trucking Association and the ATA Workers’ Comp Fund. Featured speaker was Dave Osiecki, Executive Vice President and Chief of National Advocacy for the American Trucking Associations in Arlington, Va. Osiecki spearheads National ATA’s advocacy initiatives, whether they are legislative, regulatory or legal in nature. More specifically, he oversees legislative and regulatory advocacy on fuel/energy issues, environmental requirements, labor, safety and security issues, as well as highway funding and truck productivity issues. Saturday’s breakfast was collectively provided by Action Resources; B&G Supply Co.; Billy Barnes Enterprises; Coleman World Group; Evergreen Transport; Four Star Freightliner; Utility Trailer Sales of Al-
abama; and WTI Transport. Door prizes were provided by UPS and Wal-Mart Transportation. ATA Workers’ Comp Fund leaders hosted a reception in honor of Ken Adams, who stepped down from the Fund’s board recently. Adams, a former ATA Chairman and longtime fleet owner has served ATA and the ATA Workers’ Comp Fund for more than three decades. Meanwhile, more than 80 attendees played in the ATA Convention Golf Tournament sponsored by TAB Bank and BancorpSouth Insurance. For those not interested in golf, pool side cabanas with full bars were provided by Church Transportation & Logistics, Inc.; Eaton/Roadranger; Heritage Freight Warehouse & Logistics, LLC; Storey Trucking Co., Inc. on Friday; and Love’s Travel Stops, Inc.; Mack Trucks, Inc.; Palomar Insurance; and Shoreline Transportation of Alabama on Saturday.
Chairman’s Dinner Capping this year’s Convention was a reception and dinner honoring outgoing ATA Chairman of the Board Wayne Watkins, President of Watkins Trucking Co. in Birmingham, Ala. Chairman Watkins has been a hands-on leader who isn’t afraid to work hard for what he believes. A lifelong trucker, he knows the business as well as anyone. He is known for seeing the big picture for trucking, but also knows the finite details needed to be successful. ATA leaders also recognized Alabama Truck Driver of the Year Benny Lewis and his wife Flossie. Lewis was selected Driver of the Year by the ATA Safety and Maintenance Management Council for his commitment to industry safety and professionalism in a career that has spanned nearly five decades. Another highlight was the announcement of longtime ATA President & CEO Frank Filgo as this year’s H. Chester Webb Award recipient, which is this Association’s highest honor for a member. Last year’s winner Gail Cooper of Boyd Bros. Transportation made the announcement (read more on Frank’s award on page 28). The Chairman’s Reception and Dinner was provided by Gold Sponsors. Next year’s convention is set for April 28-30, 2016 at The Westin Las Vegas Hotel Casino & Spa. It’s never too early to plan for Vegas. For more information on next year’s event visit www.alabamatrucking.org/ aprilinvegas.
From left ATA Chairman Wayne Watkins, TAT vice deputy direc Lanier, and Convention Chairman Greg Brown of B.R. William
ctor Kylla ms Trucking
Alabama Road Team member Daniel Thompson of FedEx Freight
Chairman Wayne Watkins honored by Greg Brown
Guest speaker Michael Durant, author and inspiration of the movie “Black Hawk Down”
SAFETY & MAINTENANCE Safety Insights
Boyd Bros.Transportation: Home of the Million Mile Drivers ATA Director of Safety Tim Frazier presents Boyd’s Johnnie Cobb with a certificate of recognition signed by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley.
“We have something special going on here with our drivers, and our celebrations are one way of recognizing them in front of our staff and their driving peers.” —Frank Stokes, vice president of safety, training and recruiting for Boyd Bros. Transportation
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t’s time for another Boyd Bros. Transportation Million Mile celebration. Fiftyfive year old Johnnie Cobb was the most recent recipient with a celebration in his honor, on May 8. On hand at Boyd’s Clayton facility were Boyd staff members, fellow drivers, friends and Cobb’s family – wife, Annette; daughter, Artisha; grandson, Jarnard and mother-in-law, Princella. Boyd Bros. Transportation has more than 100 active professional truck drivers who have accumulated more than 1 million consecutive safe miles while driving for Boyd — of which 28 have 2 million and four have 3 million miles under their wheels. “I can’t tell you how much we look forward to these celebrations. We have something special going on here with our drivers, and our celebrations are one way of recognizing them in front of our staff and their driving peers,” said Frank Stokes, vice president of safety, training and recruiting for Boyd Bros. Transportation. “It shows our drivers are successful and safe (not having a chargeable accident), which in turn, allows us to be successful as a company. It doesn’t get any better than that.” “It’s a special day to honor Johnnie for his best of the best accomplishments,” said Chris Cooper, president of Boyd Bros. Transportation. “We feel we have world-class drivers and a family atmosphere here at Boyd. We know we’re only as good as our drivers, and we feel we have the best and safest in the industry. Johnnie and his safe driving record is an inspiration to our other drivers and to the staff here at Boyd. He’s a true professional.” While Cooper and others gave praise to
Cobb, he was also presented with a special 3million-mile custom jacket, trophy and plaque. He also received a check for $6,000. When Cobb hit 1 million miles with Boyd, he also received a million-mile ring, something he said he wears proudly. “Boyd is the only company I’ve ever driven for and I’ve been doing it a long time — 28 years,” Cobb said. “I plan to continue driving with them until I retire – so I should see 4 million miles in about eight years or so. Not too many drivers have hit that mark.” According to Cobb, one reason he has driven 3 million consecutive miles without a chargeable accident is because of his family. “I drive like my wife and daughter are riding right along with me – that way I take my time and drive with safety in mind,” he said. “I want to protect my family, but I also want to drive in a manner that protects other families out there as well.” Boyd Bros. Transportation, with headquarters in Birmingham, Ala., operates 1,250 tractors and 2,200 trailers. Part of the Daseke family of open-deck/specialty carriers, Boyd specializes in time-sensitive transportation of metal products, lumber, roofing and other building commodities. According to Cobb, the key reason he has stayed at Boyd for so long comes down to one word. “Respect,” he said. “Boyd treats drivers with respect, and they appreciate what we do. I’ve never had a reason to leave. I’ve seen other drivers think there may be other opportunities out there, but then they’ll come back to Boyd. A lot of companies don’t recognize their drivers for their accomplishments. Boyd does, and that means something.”
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MANAGEMENT COUNCIL NEWS Four Star Freightliner branch certifies all service techs All 13 technicians at the Four Star Freightliner dealership in Dothan, Ala., are now 100 percent system-certified to perform Freightliner and Detroit warranty work. The Dothan branch is the first of Four Star Freightliner’s six locations in Alabama, Florida and Georgia to have 100 percent certified technicians. The technicians qualified after more than 100 hours of training on Freightliner trucks and Detroit diesel engines. A technician could need up to a year after hiring to become system certified. “They worked hard to achieve this,” said Cindy Mathews, Dothan branch service manager. “They’ve worked at home and even at night trying to get their tests done to achieve this.” Great West Casualty honors Swing Transport for safety Alabama Trucking Association member Swing Transport, Inc. was recently presented a Gold award by Great West Casualty Co. as part of the 2014 National Safety Awards Program. Additionally, Swing was awarded a Platinum award for Workplace Safety for 2014. This marks the eighth consecutive year that Swing has earned the insurance provider’s highest honor. Swing Transport is a dry goods carrier that began operations in 1975. With corporate headquarters located in Salisbury, NC and terminals located in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, the management team at Swing is constantly striving for safety improvement.
UPS Freight’s Jeff Higgins wins Alabama TDC Jeff Higgins, a driver for UPS Freight from Pinson, Ala. was the highest overall scorer at the Alabama Truck Driving Championships held June 12 in Pelham, Ala. Higgins posted a combined score of 348 points to win the 3-axle category and eventually the Grand Champion trophy, which is sponsored by Southland International Trucks. Nearly 100 drivers from two dozen Alabama Trucking Association member firms competed in the event held at the Pelham Civic Complex, just South of Birmingham. Other class winners were Daniel Thompson of FedEx Freight (Twins); Steve Brannen of Wal-Mart Transportation (Sleeper Berth); William Brandon of FedEx Freight (5-Axle); Samuel Castleberry of Con-Way Freight (4-Axle); James McCormick of Wal-Mart TransHiggins portation (Flatbed); Darrel Beard of WalMart Transportation (Tanker); Mark Knight of AAA Cooper Transportation (Straight Truck); and Tony Johnson of UPS Freight (Step Van). Holland, Inc. driver Frank Brown, who scored 298 points overall and was the first runner up in the 5-Axle class, earned the Rookie of the Year title. Meanwhile James Blackstone of Wal-Mart was the highest scorer in the inspection contest. For more TDC coverage, including scores and photos, like us on Facebook.
The National Safety Awards program recognizes carriers in similar operations (truckload and less than truckload) with awards based on their year-end preventable accident results. Carriers are eligible to receive a Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Participatory award. The Workplace Safety award recognizes trucking companies for their dedication to creating and fostering a safe work environment for their employees. Great West Casualty Co. is a provider of property and casualty insurance for the trucking industry. With more than 50 years of experience, Great West offers risk management, underwriting, Swing Transport’s Wayne Whitley (left) accepts Great West Casualty national claims, and loss control services safety awards from Kevin Sherritze of Joe Morton and Son, Inc. exclusively to the trucking indus-
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try. Great West is headquartered in South Sioux City, Neb., with regional offices in Mississippi, Idaho, Indiana, Tennessee and Texas.
J.J. Keller offers new Haz-Mat driver training J.J. Keller & Associates Inc. has developed new hazardous materials transportation driver training to help drivers meet Department of Transportation training requirements. The training program covers four areas: general awareness, safety, security awareness and function-specific training. The program includes trainer tools, a driver-training packet and reference materials. GPS tracking and fleet management provider Teletrac Inc., based in Garden Continued on page 22 19
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News Grove, Calif., was chosen 2014 Company of the Year by the Business Intelligence Group for its commitment to “innovation and the renewed attention to the customer experience.”Transplace, a transportation-management services provider based in Dallas, is expanding its Canadian offices to Calgary and the greater Montreal area. The company said the new offices are allowing it to expand its presence in Canada. In December 2012, Transplace acquired Torus Freight Systems and its office in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Governor awards state troopers funding for radar units Following public pleas from state law enforcement officials this past spring for increased funding and assistance, Gov. Robert Bentley recently awarded a $71,862 grant to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to purchase new radar equipment that will
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allow troopers to more effectively fight aggressive and dangerous driving. The agency will purchase multi-directional radar units, giving them the ability to detect speeding drivers from both the front and rear of vehicles. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from the State Traffic Safety Trust Fund, an account that receives fines paid by individuals found guilty of driving without a license or with a suspended or revoked license. The fund is used for traffic safety purposes.
FMCSA extends break exemption for ‘ag haulers’ According to Commercial Carrier Journal’s Matt Cole, the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration has decided to renew livestock haulers’ exemption of the 30minute break required by current hours-ofservice regulations. Cole wrote that the ag haulers’ leg of the American Trucking Associations requested the exemption be renewed to “enable the drivers to safeguard the health of livestock during long-haul deliveries without having to take the rest break,” according to the exemption application. The exemption has been renewed for two
years, through June 12, 2017. The National Pork Producers Council said complying with the break provisions of the 2013 HOS rule — which requires drivers to take a 30-minute break from driving within the first eight hours on-duty — could place the health of the animals being hauled at risk, especially in hot conditions. FMCSA estimates there are about 250,000 drivers in the U.S. who haul livestock, but approximately 145,000 of those drivers are deemed short-haul drivers, who are already exempt from the break provision. So, FMCSA says, the exemption applies to fewer than 135,000 drivers.
Understaffed and underfunded, state troopers seek assistance from Montgomery By Mike D. Smith for Al.com Alabama has hundreds fewer state troopers than what’s needed to patrol its highways, according to a recent study, and an official says the shortage is having drastic effects of highway safety. Reduced trooper presence takes away from safe driving because of greater disreContinued on page 24
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News gard for traffic laws, leading to more crashes, said Alabama Law Enforcement Agency trooper Sgt. Steve Jarrett. There currently are 431 troopers assigned to highway patrol — a number that increased from 289 when some were reassigned to highway duties when ALEA went into effect on Jan. 1, Jarrett said. The state, however, needs a minimum staff of 1,016 troopers on its highways, a study by the University of Alabama’s Center for Advanced Public Safety recommends. The estimate was computed through a model that included data and other information from talking with troopers from across Alabama. The study is a first attempt to determine exactly how big staffing levels should be “for the agency to best carry out its mission,” according to the study’s summary.
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Manpower has declined in recent decades due to attrition, or troopers not being replaced upon retirement, and budget cuts, he said. “Our numbers need to be growing because there are more vehicles on the highway and more population increase, but we’re not able to hire because of funding,” Jarrett said. A federal grant has allowed the state to hire 21 extra troopers — the first new class since 2010. That Justice Department grant, the Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS grant, is awarded for a maximum of three years. Still, with 431 troopers for the state’s 67 counties, Perry County doesn’t have a trooper assigned to it at all and about a dozen counties only have one, Jarrett said. That’s one trooper who, working an eight-hour shift, leaves those counties without coverage for 16 hours each day. For crash response and investigation, for example, that means drivers and local law enforcement may have to wait for a trooper who may come several counties away for assistance. “The main thing that we do is safety,” Jarrett said. “When you’re responsible for an
entire county, that’s a huge load for just one trooper.” The shortage has other impacts by reducing ability for duties other than highway safety, such as catching criminals who may be traveling around or through the state, Jarrett said. The budget cuts have affected equipment, too. Jarrett said the patrol car fleet is in poor condition, with some troopers driving cars with more than 200,000 miles on them. Those vehicles require expensive repairs and troopers either have to await those repairs or wait for the agency to locate another vehicle before rejoining highway patrols. “When you have to catch someone going 90 or 100 (MPH), you have to drive faster to catch them,” Jarrett said. “Would you feel safe doing that in a car with 260,000 miles?” Jarrett said fewer patrols has contributed to “less of a fear of getting caught,” which makes it harder for troopers to satisfy their main goal of providing a safe driving environment. “The main thing is we need to be highly visible ... people need to see troopers on a regular basis to prevent crashes before they happen,” Jarrett said.
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ATA Workers’ Comp Fund honors members for safety performance The Alabama Trucking Association Workers’ Comp Self Insurance Fund recently recognized several members for outstanding workplace safety performance. During a presentation at the ATA Safety & Maintenance Management Council Fleet Safety Awards Banquet in late March, Fund engineers presented awards to McGriff Industries of Cullman, Ala. (Allied Category); DT Freight of Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Large Carrier Category); and Benny Whitehead, Inc. of Eufaula, Ala. (Small Carrier Category). Barry McGriff of McGriff Industries, left, and Fund Norman Crow of DT Freight, left, and Fund engineer Category winners are chosen for their commitment to engineer Scott Hunter Scott Hunter preventing workplace accidents through safety training, procedure and execution. Engineers evaluate candidates’ aggressiveness and effectiveness of return-towork (RTW) programs; policies and procedures focusing on employee safety; whether company’s managers hold certification for workplace and highway safety; and the company’s overall willingness to be proactive and innovative in its approach to worker safety. Hornady Transportation, LLC of Monroeville, Ala. won the Engineers’ Award, which distinguishes the firm for overall improvement, awareness and impleEddie Whitehead of Benny Whitehead, Inc. and Fund Wolf Lindh of Hornady Transportaion and Fund enmentation of safety practices. gineer Duane Calhoun “Our Fund members continue to strive for excellence engineer Duane Calhoun at managing their safety programs,” said ATA WCSIF Director of Loss ance of industry best practices for safety, coupled with the utilization of Control and Safety Don Anchors. “These companies place extreme our Fund’s many resources and services, helps not only themselves but importance on maintaining a healthy and safe workplace. Their accept- makes our Fund and the trucking industry better and safer for all.”
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SMMC, Hand Arendall team up for mock trial event
Unfortunately, litigation is a necessary evil for the trucking industry. Being prepared for a lawsuit or trial is key to protecting your business from catastrophic financial loss due to a lawsuit. To better prepare its members for the event of an actual court case, the Alabama Trucking Association’s Safety & Maintenance Management Council held a mock trial Tuesday, May 19 at the Association’s headquarters in Montgomery. Attorneys from the law firm of Hand Arendall conducted a mock trial of an actual case with several ATA and SMMC mem-
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bers and state law enforcement officials serving as witnesses and other courtroom players. “This is the second one of these mock trials we’ve held,” said ATA Director of Safety Tim Frazier. “It gives our members a good model for what can happen in an actual law suit trial seeking restitution for damages from an accident involving a truck. These seminars are something our safety council members have said they find informative and beneficial.” The event was sponsored by Vertical Alliance Group, presenter of Infinit-i online fleet safety training.
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ROUNDUP T RU C K I N G I N D U S T RY
ATA honors longtime CEO for lifetime achievement
The Alabama Trucking Association recently honored longtime Association President and CEO Frank Filgo with its H. Chester Webb Award for outstanding service to Alabama’s trucking industry. The group surprised Filgo with the lifetime achievement recognition during its 77th Annual Convention held April 23-25 in Destin, Fla. For more than two decades, Filgo has built the Alabama Trucking Association (ATA) into a powerful advocate for highway and industry safety and a champion for sensible pro-business legislation and industry regulation. His tenure at ATA has delivered meaningful results that have helped Alabama trucking businesses reach their individual goals. Many times his efforts are done behind the scenes, and often with little fanfare. Boyd Bros. Transportation CEO and last year’s Webb Award recipient Gail Cooper said Filgo’s dedication to the trucking industry and his reluctance to take credit for his work was a driving force for the Association’s decision to give him the award. She added, “The board felt that acknowledging Frank’s contributions and hard work was much deserved and long overdue. His stewardship of ATA has made Alabama’s trucking industry better, safer and stronger.” Under his leadership, ATA has vastly im-
Ward International celebrates 30 years
On May 6th, Ward International Trucks of Mobile celebrated 30 years of serving the gulf coast. The dealership held a small celebratory luncheon for most of its Mobile employees (Some of them were cooking and providing lunch Bill Ward, second from left, poses next to a freshly restored ’79 International Scout. Standing with at Beard Equip- him are grandson Will Wright (far left), son-in-law Chip Wright, and daughter Leigh Ward Breal. ment for the Continuing Education Loggers Course they were hosting). The following day, the dealership held its 11th Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Tournament. According to Marketing Manager Jason Daniels, roughly 200 players attended the event. Company Vice President Leigh Breal welcomed attendees, made a few announcements and then surprised her dad and company President Bill Ward with a freshly restored 1979 International Scout, as a gift for his 30 years in business. “Needless to say, he loved it!” said Daniels. “The weather was perfect, (the beverages) were cold, and the fellowship was amazing! On behalf of Ward International, I’d like to offer a big thanks to all of our customers, past and present for 30 great years. Without them, none of this would have been possible.”
proved services for members; raised the Association’s profile in the states’ political arena; and built a strong coalition of indus-
ATA Chairman Wayne Watkins and Gail Cooper present Frank Filgo with the 2015 H. Chester Webb Award for Distinguished Service. 28
try, regulatory and enforcement officials and staff members to shape a supportive environment for trucking businesses to thrive. ATA Chairman of the Board Wayne Watkins pointed to the Association’s recent successes as evidence of Filgo’s work. Those accomplishments include: l The Metal Coil Securement Act of Alabama, which preserves the federal regulations as it applies to the securement of metal coils l The Anti-Indemnification Bill, which makes shippers responsible for acts of sole negligence l Legislation allowing for additional weight for commercial trucks equipped with fuel saving auxiliary power units (APUs). l Apportionment of the 2-cent Alabama inspection fee, a tax savings of $295 per truck. l Legislation allowing for a permanent state trailer tag. A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2015
Watkins added that Filgo also “successfully spearheaded ATA’s recent lawsuit victory to limit property taxes on Alabama motor carriers involved in interstate commerce to miles driven within the state only. That ruling has resulted in significant tax savings for Alabama’s motor carriers.” Cooper said that a key component of Frank’s management philosophy is to be “a king maker, not a king.” “He puts his membership’s best interest forward in everything he does and surrounds himself with great people to achieve success,” she said. “He always gives credit to others for the Association’s successes, and accepts its failures as the fault of his own.” Filgo has 42 years of experience in association management, having served both national and state trade associations. He grew up in Tupelo, Miss. and graduated from Mississippi State University and the National Institute of Organization Management at the University of Delaware. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and a past president of the Alabama Council of Association Executives. He received his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 1988. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Business Council of Alabama and is past chairman of the Region II Trucking
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Association Executive Council (TAEC), currently serving as its secretary. He and wife Jackie have two adult children, three grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. ATA’s Webb Award is given annually to recognize individuals for service and contributions to the industry. It also encourages public service by members of the highway transportation industry. Winners of the award are those who have given their talents, leadership and dedication to the Alabama trucking industry, the Association, and the communities where they reside.
ATA Board member Jeff Colemen selected to attend national security forum Coleman Worldwide Moving CEO, Jeff Coleman was recently selected by the Secretary of the Air Force to attend the 62nd annual National Security Forum at the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The purpose of NSF is to expose influential citizens to senior U.S. and international officers and civilian equivalents in order to engage each other’s ideas and perspectives on Air Force, national and international security issues.
Coleman and other civilian leaders in business, education and government from all over the U.S. met with senior military leaders to explore current and future national security issues facing the nation. The NSF proColeman vides a great opportunity for an open and candid exchange of ideas among these guests, senior military and civilian leaders, and Air War College students. Attendees were exposed to lectures, seminars for in-depth discussions and participated in social events. The Air War College is the senior professional development school in the Air Force officer education system as a part of Air University. AWC educates selected senior officers to lead at the strategic level in the employment of air and space forces. The AWC curriculum focuses on coalition warfighting and national security issues, with emphasis on the effective employment of aerospace forces in joint and combined combat operations. Continued on page 30
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ROUNDUP T RU C K I N G I N D U S T RY
Air University is a major component of Air Education and Training Command and the intellectual and leadership center of the Air Force. Air University’s eight colleges and schools provide the full spectrum of Air Force education, from pre-commissioning to the highest levels of professional military education, including degree granting and professional continuing education for officers, enlisted and civilian personnel throughout their careers.
ASF Intermodal reaches 400truck milestone ASF Intermodal has surpassed the 400 truck benchmark, a significant industry milestone. Just a little over four years into operations, ASF Intermodal has grown from a two-location intermodal firm based in the southeast to a regional carrier offering both domestic and intermodal services. The company now has 11 terminals strategically situated throughout the Southeast and Midwest. With more than 80 employees working
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out of the 11 terminals plus the firm’s Mobile, Alabama corporate office, ASF Intermodal has experienced strong and consistent growth companywide. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the firm expanded its management structure to include two regional managers, Jesse Gonzalez (west region) and Rachel Judge (east region), to help accommodate the rapid expansion. ASF Intermodal President Michael Smith said, “The growth we’re experiencing is positive in every way. We are continuing to create jobs and grow our customer base. We are experiencing growth across all of our existing locations and we are planning to expand into other markets in the second half of 2015.” The firm also continues to invest in capital improvements for improved customer service. Smith adds, “We just purchased an additional 30 chassis, which are present in our port locations.” Smith attributes the firm’s recent growth in part to the recent shift in container volume from West Coast ports to the East Coast. “This shift has led to more freight coming to the East Coast, which has, in turn, led to more demand for our services.” He said. “We cultivate a competitive advantage through fast responsiveness, competitive
pricing and our dedication to providing outstanding customer service and communication.” Smith also credits ASF Intermodal’s team of drivers and employees with the firm’s growth. He states, “Together, our employees and drivers are one of the most amazing teams I have worked with. I am honored to work with such a great group of individuals and am excited that our growth is allowing us to bring additional drivers to the team. We are actively recruiting drivers at all of our terminals.” ASF Intermodal, part of the ASF Group, is an Alabama-based private full service intermodal truck carrier with branch offices and depots throughout the Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States.
J&M Tank Lines’ Sumerford elected chairman of national tank truck group The National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. (NTTC) recently tapped Harold Sumerford of J&M Tank Lines as the organization’s new Chairman of the Board during its recent annual conference in Boston. Sumerford succeeds Dean Kaplan, CEO & Executive Vice President of K-Limited
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Carrier, Ltd., who now serves as Chairman of the association’s Executive Committee. “I appreciate the legacy built by my predecessors in leading the NTTC. It is my intention to continue to build on that strong foundation,” said Chairman Sumerford. “This new role as your Chairman is not something that I take lightly; there were many great industry leaders that have served in this important position.” The continuity of NTTC as a membership association made up primarily of family businesses is personified in Sumerford. His chairmanship marks the eighth time in NTTC’s 70-year history that a son has followed his father’s path and earned this esteemed leadership position. Harold Sumerford, Sr. was the 2002-03 NTTC Chairman. Chairman Sumerford is currently Chief Executive Officer of J&M Tank Lines, Inc., a family-owned trucking company that has been in business for over 60 years. J&M has terminals located in Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. The company operates 380 tractors and 414 tanks. The National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. (NTTC) is a trade association composed of over 240 trucking companies that specialize in bulk transportation services by cargo
New research assesses potential for driver-assistive truck platooning The Phase One Final Report of the DriverAssistive Truck Platooning (DATP) initiative was recently released by the research team. The DATP truck platooning research, which was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Exploratory Advanced Research program, utilizes radar, vehicle-to-vehicle communications, and video technologies to decrease over-the-road truck headways, with the objective of improving fuel economy without compromising safety. As a core team member of the project, ATRI was involved in multiple tasks including the development and assessment of trucking industry user requirements. It was also the Project Lead for development of the business case for truck platooning. Some of the Phase 1 results identified: l Up to 10 percent fuel economy for the trailing truck, and up to 5 percent fuel economy for the leading truck; l Truckload and line-haul LTL operations would likely be the greatest beneficiaries of a platooning system, particularly among larger fleets; l Fleets and drivers who operate average truck trips of more than 500 miles would experience the highest returns on investment from platooning;
l Modelers at Auburn University confirmed that platooning would not negatively impact traffic flows, and could improve traffic flows if truck market penetration reached 60 percent; l Platoon formation in some operations appears to be feasible, based on a case study using actual truck movement data from ATRI’s truck GPS database; l Small fleets and owner-operators required an investment payback period of 10 months, while larger fleets had a mean payback expectation of 18 months. In Phase 2 of the DATP project, the research team will be conducting both testtrack and on-road pilot testing of the system. In addition, the team will monitor and assess a variety of human factors considerations including driver satisfaction, driver training requirements and driver operational experiences. The business case analysis will be extended based on these results. The DATP research team is led by Auburn University and includes ATRI, Bishop Consulting, Peloton Technology, Peterbilt Trucks, and Meritor Wabco. The Driver-Assistive Truck Platooning Phase 1 report is available on the ATRI website at www.atri-online.org.
Continued on page 32
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31
ROUNDUP T RU C K I N G I N D U S T RY
tank throughout North America. Additionally, there are over 350 associate members that service the bulk transportation industry including cargo tank repair facilities, tractor manufacturers, tank trailer manufacturers, and other related tank truck equipment and services. The tank truck industry generates roughly 5.1 percent of all truck freight revenue, but that represents more than 25 percent of all truck freight in terms of tonnage due to the heavy nature of the liquid bulk products handled.
Con-way driver receives Tubman Award for helping to rescue abducted woman Con-way Truckload driver Kevin Kimmel received the 2015 Harriet Tubman award from Truckers Against Trafficking, a nonprofit organization that fights human trafficking. Kimmel was honored for reporting suspicious activity and for saving a woman who had been kidnapped and was being held against her will. The couple traveling with the woman was arrested and
32
charged with sex trafficking. “Something about the situation just didn’t feel right to me,” Kimmel said. “I called the police figuring that if I was wrong, I’d be putting a damper on someone’s vacation for 15 minutes, but if I was right, I’d maybe be making a big difference in that girl’s life.” For his actions, Kimmel received a $2,500 check along with the award from Mark Brown, TAT board president, and Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director, at a ceremony at Con-way Truckload’s headquarters in Joplin, Missouri. At that same ceremony, he also received the Truckload Carrier Association’s Highway Angel Award. “Because of Harriet Tubman’s connection to transportation through the Underground Railroad and her heroic work to free thousands of slaves, TAT believes she epitomizes the symbol of freedom a trucking anti-trafficking award represents,” said Kendis Paris, executive director of Truckers Against Trafficking. Con-way Truckload partners with TAT to train employees, and to date, the company has trained 1,500 employees. Con-way Truckload is a subsidiary of Con-way Inc., which ranks No. 4 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.
Southland International promotes Andrew Linn to VP Southland International Trucks, Inc. recently promoted Andrew Linn to Vice President. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Linn began working with Southland’s Idealease Rental and Linn Lease division in Tuscaloosa as he earned his degree in 2007. Following graduation, he joined the International Severe Service Sales Team at Navistar’s World headquarters in Chicago where he worked directly with International Truck dealers and customers throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio. Returning to Alabama in 2011, Linn attended and graduated from the American Truck Dealer Academy in McLean, Va. in 2014 and has been involved in all segments of the dealership organization. Linn makes his home in Homewood with wife Tiffany. Southland International Trucks, Inc. is
A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2015
an award winning truck dealership with more than 200 employees. With locations in Birmingham, Homewood, Huntsville, Montgomery, Tarrant and Tuscaloosa, Southland offers a full range of International Trucks, IC Buses, Transcraft, Wabash and Benson Trailers, parts, service and Idealease truck leasing and rental. One of North America’s largest volume International Truck dealerships, Southland was recognized as the American Truck Dealer (ATD) Dealer of the Year in 2013, and is a continuous winner of the Circle of Excellence award recognizing excellence in customer satisfaction. Additional information is available at www.southlandtrucks.com.
ing and can result in drivers stopping on the side of the road and blocking all or part of the driving lane as well as the shoulder. In granting the exemption, FMCSA concluded the crash risk when these loads are parked on the slide of the road is roughly equal to if they hadn’t taken the rest break at all. The exemption only applies to loads that require a permit from a state or local jurisdiction. To qualify, a carrier must have a “satisfactory” safety rating or be “unrated” and have no CSA scores above threshold.
FMCSA grants Hours of Service exemption for oversized loads
The 2014 ATA Driver Compensation Study is a benchmarking tool to let carriers know exactly where they stand in terms of driver salaries. The first of its kind released since 2011, this study is a comprehensive evaluation of the way fleets compensate their drivers, including details ranging from base salary packages and benefits to paid time off. The survey covered 130 fleets and 135,000 drivers, with data broken down by Private, For-Hire TL, LTL and Drayage carrier. For more information or to purchase, ccall 866-821-3468.
Today, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration granted a two-year exemption from the 30-minute rest break requirement of the hours-of-service rules to the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association. The exemption, which applies to drivers transporting oversized/overweight loads, allows them to skip their 30-minute rest break. SC&RA argued finding parking for an OS/OW load for the break is challeng-
A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2015
Driver compensation study now available
NHTSA issues truck crashworthiness report On Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a Report to Congress entitled, “The Need for Additional Heavy Truck Crashworthiness Standards.” NHTSA found that heavy truck manufacturers have incorporated the Society of Automotive Engineers International recommended practices for improving cab crashworthiness, and some manufacturers offer advanced vehicle restraints such as air bags. The report also found that vehicle rollover and occupant ejection, are the greatest risk to heavy truck occupants. Failure to wear a seat belt, which the report said only 77% of occupants do, is a factor in many truck driver fatal crashes. NHTSA has asked SAE to reassess the recommended practices to determine if additional improvements can be made. For more information, contact Ted Scott at tscott@trucking.org.
GOT NEWS? Send to Ford Boswell at fboswell@AlabamaTrucking.org
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“Trucking’s Voice in Alabama”
PO Box 242337 • Montgomery, AL 36124-2337 • Phone: (334)834-3983 • Fax: (334)262-6504
Application For Membership DIVISION Motor Carriers: ❑ Domiciled In Alabama ❑ All other For-Hire ❑ Household Movers ❑ Private Carriers
Allied Industry: ❑ Local and State Suppliers ❑ Nat’l Concerns, small items ❑ Nat’l Concerns, major items
Your Dues Amount: $ __________________ (see schedule on reverse)
Firm Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: (PO Box) ____________________________________(Street)__________________________________________________ City __________________________________________State __________________________ Zip ________________________ Telephone: __________________________________Fax ______________________________800/ __________________________ Email address: ________________________________________Website Address: __________________________________________ Type of Business: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Official Representative : __________________________________________________Title: __________________________________ Alternate Representative: __________________________________________________Title: __________________________________ Signed: ______________________________________Date: ____________Referred by:____________________________________
CONTRIBUTIONS OR GIFTS TO THE ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION, INC., ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE AS CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS. HOWEVER, THEY MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE AS ORDINARY AND NECESSARY BUSINESS EXPENSES. CODE # _________________
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Freq_____________________
ACT ____________________
BC ____________________
Check # __________________
Exp Date__________________
ATU ____________________
DC ____________________
Dues Amt ________________
Nxt Bill Date _______________
MAG __________________
400 ____________________
Mbr Class ________________
AL Sen___________________
MC ____________________
WCSIF __________________
GC ____________________
CONTACT SHEET __________
Mbr Type _________________
AL Hse___________________
YR ____________________
WINFAX ________________
Dues Cat _________________
CG Dist __________________
Date_____________________
A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2015
LTR/PLQ ________________
35
Schedule of Membership Dues
A. Motor Carriers Domiciled in Alabama
1) Gross Annual Revenue Under and not over 1,000,000 and not over 5,000,000 and not over 10,000,000 and not over 15,000,000
$999,999 4,999,999 9,999,999 14,999,999 19,999,999
Annual Dues $500 600 900 1,200 1,500
2) Gross Annual Revenue 20,000,000 and not over 25,000,000 and not over 30,000,000 and not over 35,000,000 and not over 40,000,000 and over
B. All Other For-Hire and Private Carriers Schedule based on miles traveled in Alabama From 0 500,001 1,000,001 2,000,001 3,000,001 4,000,001 5,000,001 6,000,001 7,000,001 8,000,001 9,000,001
To 500,000 1,000,000 2,000,000 3,000,000 4,000,000 5,000,000 6,000,000 7,000,000 8,000,000 9,000,000 10,000,000
Annual $200 250 360 510 640 750 870 960 1,040 1,150 1,250
From 10,000,001 11,000,001 12,000,001 13,000,001 14,000,001 15,000,001 16,000,001 17,000,001 18,000,001 19,000,001 20,000,001
$24,999,999 29,999,999 34,999,999 39,999,999
To 11,000,000 12,000,000 13,000,000 14,000,000 15,000,000 16,000,000 17,000,000 18,000,000 19,000,000 20,000,000 25,000,000
Annual Dues $1,800 2,100 2,400 2,700 3,000 Annual $1,320 1,410 1,495 1,575 1,650 1,720 1,795 1,865 1,950 2,030 2,500
C. Allied Industry – Annual Dues • Local and State Suppliers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300 • National Concerns (distributors or manufactuers of accessories, parts and small equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $400 • National Concerns (distributors or manufacturers of major equipment, integrated product lines, leasing companies and companies marketing statewide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $600
D. Household Movers Based on intrastate revenue only - includes tariff participation
1) Gross Annual Revenue Not Over 100,001 and not over 150,001 and not over 200,000 and not over
$100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000
Annual Dues $420 480 540 660
2) Gross Annual Revenue 250,001 and not over 300,001 and not over 400,001 and not over
Payment Schedule (Dues payable in advance)
Below $500...................................................................Annually $500 - $1,200......................................................Semi-Annually
Annual Dues $780 $300,000 900 400,000 1,200 500,000
Above $1,200 ................................................................Monthly
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT – The amount of dues paid by individual members of the Alabama Trucking Association is confidential information and is not subject to publication. Dues information can only be released by ATA to the principal representative of the member in question, and requests by other persons or parties will not be honored. Members are strongly urged to honor this privacy statement and to not share their confidential dues information with other ATA members or the general public. 36
A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2015
2015 ATA Buyer’s Guide
We make every effort to ensure this list is correct. For changes or corrections to your company’s listing, contact Jane Nixon at jnixon@alabamatrucking.org.
Benton & Parker Insurance Services (770) 536-8340 www.bentonandparker.com
Alabama Trucking Assn.’s Buyer’s Guide lists those companies that have taking an active role in supporting Caribou Insurance Agency, Inc. Alabama’s trucking industry by becoming members of the Association. We ask that each time you plan a (205) 822-7577 www.caribouins.com purchase that you consult this guide and give ATA members the opportunity to gain your business. These companies proudly support your association and deserve your support, as well. ADVERTISING/PUBLISHING Randall-Reilly Business Media & Information (205) 349-2990 www.rrpub.com BUS SALES & SERVICE Southland International Trucks, Inc. (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Transportation South, Inc. (205) 663-2287 www.thebuscenter.com Ward International Trucks, LLC (251) 433-5616 www.wardintltrucks.com CHEMICAL PRODUCTS Rushing Enterprises, Inc. (334) 693-3318 www.rushingenterprises.com COMMUNICATIONS/ELECTRONICS CarrierWeb LLC (770) 232-9541 www.carrierweb.com J.J. Keller & Assoc., Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com Omnitracs, Inc. (615) 594-7565 www.omnitracs.com PeopleNet (888) 346-3486 www.peoplenetonline.com Rand McNally (501) 835-1585 www.randmcnally.com SmartDrive Systems (858) 225-5550 www.smartdrive.net DRIVER STAFFING TransForce, Inc. (205) 916-0259 www.transforce.com Transportation Support, Inc. (205) 833-5855 www.transportationsupport.com EDUCATION & TRAINING J.J. Keller & Assoc., Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com JP Transportation Safety Consulting, LLC (205) 329-8182 (205) 945-8550 www.jptsc.com
Thompson/Caterpillar (205) 849-4365 www.thompsontractor.com
Thompson/Caterpillar (205) 849-4365 www.thompsontractor.com
Westport HD div. of Westport Innovations, Inc. (251) 635-7143 www.westport.com
W.W. Williams (205) 252-9025 (334) 279-6083 www.wwwilliams.com
EQUIPMENT LEASING H.E.C. Leasing, LLC (615) 471-9300 www.hecleasing.com
ESTATE AND BUSINESS PLANNING
KLLM/Equipment Solutions LLC (205) 515-1478 www.equipmentsolution.com Southern Truck & Equipment, Inc. (251) 653-4716 www.southerntruck.net Southland International Trucks, Inc. (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Star Leasing Co. (205) 763-1280 www.starleasing.com Transport Enterprise Leasing LLC (423) 463-3390 www.transportenterpriseleasing.com EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING BigBee Steel (256) 383-7322 www.bigbee.com Eaton Corp./Roadranger Field Marketing (334) 398-1410 www.roadranger.com EQUIPMENT PARTS/ACCESSORIES Dana (734) 516-8032 www.dana.com Delco Remy (205) 515-7330 Dothan Tarpaulin Products, Inc. (800) 844-8277 www.dothantarp.com Imperial Supplies LLC (800) 558-2808 www.imperialsupplies.com Kinedyne Corp. (334) 365-2919 www.kinedyne.com Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems 334/798-0080 www.arvinmeritor.com
Metro Trailer Repair Co., Inc. Transportation Safety Services (205) 323-2877 (251) 661-9700 www.metrotrailer.net www.transportationsafetyservices.com NAPA Auto Parts Trucking Partners, LLC (205) 510-2900 (256) 737-8788 www.truckingpartners.com Paccar Parts/Kenworth (206) 898-5541 USA Driver-s, Inc. www.kenworth.com (205) 661-0712 www.usadrivers.com Southern Truck & Equipment, Inc. (251) 653-4716 Vertical Alliance Group, Inc. www.southerntruck.net (903) 792-3866 www.lmstrucking.com Star Truck Parts (205) 324-4681 ENGINE MANUFACTURERS Thermo King of B’ham-DothanCummins Mid-South, LLC Mobile-Montgomery (901) 488-8033 (205) 591-2424 www.cumminsmidsouth.com www.midstatetk.com
FINANCIAL SERVICES BancorpSouth Equipment Finance (205) 422-7111 www.bxsequipmentfinance.com Comdata, Inc. 615-376-6917 www.comdata.com Commercial Credit Group, Inc. (704) 731-0031 www.commercialcreditgroup.com Crestmark Bank 615-620-3523 www.crestmark.com Electronic Funds Source, LLC (615) 777-4619 www.efsllc.com GE Capital (770) 960-6307 www.ge.com People’s Capital & Leasing Corp. (205) 856-9354 www.peoples.com People’s United Equipment Finance Corp. (205) 664-9374 www.financialfederal.com PNC Financial Services Group (251) 441-7286 www.pnc.com Renasant Bank (334) 301-5955 www.renasantbank.com
Cottingham and Butler (563) 587-5521 www.cottinghambutler.com
Custard Insurance Adjusters, Inc. (770) 729-8160 www.custard.com Farris Evans Insurance Agency, Inc. (901) 274-5424 www.farrisevans.com First Guard Insurance Company (941) 485-6210 www.1stguard.com Great West Casualty Co. (865) 670-6573 www.gwccnet.com Hudgens Insurance, Inc. (334) 289-2695
MEDICAL/DRUG & ALCOHOL SERVICES Alabama Specialty Clinic (256) 736-1460 www.ascoccupationalhealth.com Bradley Screening, LLC (334) 272-3539 www.bradleyscreening.com Carlisle Medical, Inc. (251) 344-7988 www.carlislemedical.com CPAPnea Medical Solutions (205) 874-6870 www.thecpapteam.com Employers Drug Program Mgmt., Inc. (205) 326-3100 www.edpm.com ErgoScience, Inc. (205) 879-6447 www.ergoscience.com J.J. Keller & Assoc., Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com
Johnson-Locklin & Associates (205) 980-8008 www.johnson-locklin.com
Safety First-Div. of Behavioral Health Systems (205) 443-5450 www.bhs-inc.com
J.R. Prewitt & Associates, Inc. (205) 397-5118 www.jrprewitt.com
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS Blu (Transfuels LLC) (251) 421-5757 www.blulng.com
Liberty Mutual Group (804) 380-5169 www.libertymutual,com
Clean Energy Fuels (423) 341-1779
Liberty Truck Insurance (205) 352-2598
Corridor Clean Fuels, LLC (256) 894-0098
Lyon Fry Cadden Insurance Agency, Inc. (251) 473-4600 www.lyonfrycaden.com
Davison Fuels & Oil (251) 544-4511
Marvin Johnson & Associates, Inc. (812) 372-0841 www.mjai.com McGriff, Siebels & Williams, Inc. (205) 252-9871 www.mcgriff.com
GAIN Clean Fuel – Div. of US Oil (804) 291-7892 www.gainfuel.com Green Buffalo Fuel (716) 768-0611 Jack Green Oil Co., Inc. (256) 831-1038
Joe Morten & Sons, Inc. (865) 392-3844 www.joemorten.com
Hunter Oil Company, Inc. (800) 607-4066 www.hunteroil.net
S. S. Nesbitt (205) 262-2620 www.ssnesbitt.com
Kimbro Oil Company (615) 320-7484 www.kimbrooil.com
Palomar Insurance Corp. (334) 270-0105 www.palomarinsurance.com
Major Oil Company, Inc. (334) 263-9070 www.unitedfoodandfuel.com
Regions Insurance, Inc. (501) 661-4880 www.regions.com
Pivotal LNG (404) 783-3550 www.pivotallng.com
Regions Insurance (334) 808-9441 www.regionsinsurance.com
The McPherson Companies, Inc. (888) 802-7500 www.mcphersonoil.com
Reliance Partners, Inc. (877) 668-1704 www.reliancepartners.com
Transportation Safety Services (251) 661-9700 www.transportationsafetyservices.com
Stephens Insurance LLC (601) 605-5681 www.stephens.com
Trillium CNG (678) 358-1365 www.trilliumcng.com
Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. (317) 452-7413 www.baldwinandlyons.com
Trans Con Assurance, LTD (205) 978-7070
BancorpSouth Insurance Services (334) 272-1200 www.bxsi.com
TransRisk, LLC (334) 403-4114 www.transriskllc.com
W.H. Thomas Oil Co., Inc. (205) 755-2610 www.whthomasoil.com
The Baxter Agency (334) 678-5900 www.baxteragency.com
Turner & Hamrick L.L.C. (334) 566-7665 www.turnerhamrick.com
BB & T Insurance Services (912) 201-4706
York Risk Services Group (205) 581-9283 www.yorkrsg.com
ServisFirst Bank (205) 949-3433 www.servisfirstbank.com TAB Bank (404) 202-4870 www.tabbank.com Wells Fargo Equipment Finance (314) 374-2165 www.wellsfargo.com INSURANCE American Claims Service, Inc. (205) 669-1177 Aon Risk Solutions (501) 374-9300 www.aon.com Aronov Insurance, Inc. (205) 414-9575 www.aronovinsurance.com
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Accounting Firms: Aldridge, Borden & Co. (334) 834-6640 www.aldridgeborden.com Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP (317) 580-2068 www.ksmcpa.com
(as of 6/16/2015) Warren Averett (256) 739-0312 www.warrenaverett.com
DriveCam / Lytx Inc. (838) 430-4000 www.lytx.com
Attorneys: Adams and Reese LLP (205) 250-5091 www.adamsandreese.com
Drivewyze (780) 461-3355 www.drivewyze.com
Austill, Lewis & Pipkin, P.C. (205) 870-3767 www.maplaw.com
George L. Edwards & Associates (334) 745-5166
Help, Inc. Provider of PrePass (931) 520-7170 Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & www.prepass.com Berkowitz, P.C. Information Builders (205) 328-0480 (770) 395-9913 www.bakerdonelson.com www.informationbuilders.com Ball, Ball, Matthews & Novak, P.A. J. Brandt Recognition 334-387-7680 (800) 435-5749 www.ball-ball.com www.jbrandt.com Carr, Allison, Pugh, Howard, Oliver & J.J. Keller & Assoc., Inc. Sisson, P.C. (920) 722-2848 (205) 822-2006 www.jjkellerservices.com www.carrallison.com DeLashmet & Marchand, P.C. (251) 433-1577 www.delmar-law.com Dodson Gregory, LLP (205) 834-9170 www.dodsongregory.com
Jeffers Trucking, Inc. (205) 808-1112 JP Transportation Safety Consulting, LLC (205) 329-8182 (205) 329-8183 www.jptsc.com
Ferguson, Frost, Moore & Young LLP Lytx Inc. (205) 879-8722 (838) 430-4000 www.ffdlaw.com www.lytx.com Fisher & Phillips, LLP McLeod Software (404) 231-1400 (205) 823-5100 www.laborlawyers.com www.mcleodsoftware.com Friedman, Dazzio, Zulanas & Bowling, Motor Carrier Safety Consulting P.C. (205) 871-4455 (205) 278-7000 www.friedman-lawyers.com Pegasus TransTech & ACS Advertising (801) 349-2433 Hand Arendall LLC www.pegasustranstech.com (251) 432-5511 www.handarendall.com Power South Energy Cooperative Hill, Hill, Carter, Franco, Cole & Black, (334) 427-3207 www.powersouth.com P.C. (334) 834-7600 Preferred Risk Services www.hillhillcarter.com (334) 836-0358 www.premployerinc.com James M. Sizemore, Jr. (256) 409-1985 Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers McDowell Knight Roedder & Sledge, (334) 207-4294 www.rbauction.com LLC (251) 432-5300 Spectrum Environmental Services, Inc. www.mcdowellknight.com (205) 664-2000 www.specenviro.com Porterfield, Harper, Mills, Motlow, Ireland PA Tax2290.com/ThinkTrade Inc. (205) 980-5000 (866) 245-3918 www.phm-law.com www.tax2290.com Starnes Davis Florie LLP TMW Systems, Inc. (205) 868-6000 (216) 831-6606 www.starneslaw.com www.tmwsystems.com Webster, Henry, Lyons, White, Todd & Sons Bradwell & Black, P.C. (334) 794-0111 (334) 264-9472 www.websterhenry.com Transportation and Logistical Services, Speegle, Hoffman, Holman & Holifield, Inc (205) 226-5500 LLC www.tlsincorp.com (251) 694-1700 www.ziemanspeegle.com Transportation Billing Solutions, LLC (205) 788-4000 Other Services: Ahern & Associates LTD Transportation Compliance Services, (602) 242-1030 USA www.ahern-LTD.com (228) 872-7160 www.dottrucksafety.com BTI Transportation Services, Inc. (205) 242-6908 Transportation Safety Services (251) 661-9700 C & C Graphics www.transportationsafetyservices.com (256) 727-5049 Delta Distributors, LLC (334) 222-3671 Direct Chassislink (704) 571-5408 www.chassislink.com
Trucking Partners, LLC (256) 737-8788 www.truckingpartners.com
Real Estate: Mary Lou’s Team RE/MAX, Inc. (205) 566-5911 www.marylousteam.com
TRAILER DEALERS/ MANUFACTURERS C & C Trailers, Inc. (334) 897-2202
Repairs: Big Moe Spring & Alignment of B’ham, Inc. (205) 780-0290 www.bigmoespring.com
Dorsey Trailer (334) 897-2525 www.dorseytrailer.net
Empire Truck Sales, LLC (601) 939-1000 Birmingham Frame & Alignment, LLC www.empiretruck.com (205) 322-4844 birminghamframeandalignment.com Equipment Logistics, Inc. (256) 739-9280 Carl Carson Truck Center, Inc. Fontaine Fifth Wheel NA (205) 592-9966 (205) 421-4300 www.carlcarson.com www.fifthwheel.com Carrier Transicold South Great Dane Trailers (404) 968-3130 (205) 324-3491 www.ctsouth.com www.greatdanetrailers.com Childersburg Truck Service, Inc. Gulf City Body & Trailer Works, Inc. (256) 378-3101 (251) 438-5521 www.childersburg-truck.com www.gulfcity.com Coffman International Trucks Gulf Coast Truck & Equipment Co. (334) 794-4111 www.coffmaninternationaltrucks.com (251) 476-2744 www.gulfcoasttruck.com Eufaula Trucking Co., Inc. R C Trailer Sales & Service Co., Inc. (334) 687-0391 (205) 680-0924 www.rctrailersales.net Lazzari Truck Repair, Inc. (251) 626-5121 Southland International Trucks, Inc. www.lazzaritruckrepair.com (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Metro Trailer Repair Co., Inc. (205) 323-2877 Star Leasing Co. www.metrotrailer.net (205) 763-1280 www.starleasing.com Rowe Management Corp. (205) 486-9235 Tennessee Valley Recycling LLC www.rowemachinery.com (256) 353-6351 www.tvrllc.com Star Leasing Co. (205) 763-1280 Transport Trailer Center www.starleasing.com (334) 299-3573 www.transporttc.com Thompson/Caterpillar (205) 849-4365 Utility Trailer Sales of Alabama LLC www.thompsontractor.com (334) 794-7345 www.utilityalabama.com W.W. Williams (205) 252-9025 (334) 279-6083 TRUCK DEALERS, www.wwwilliams.com MANUFACTURERS Action Truck Center TIRE DEALERS & MANUFACTURERS (334) 794-8505 Best One Tire & Service www.actiontruckcenter.com (615) 207-9079 www.bestonetire.com Birmingham Freightliner (205) 322-6695 Bridgestone Commercial Solutions www.birminghamfreightliner.com (770) 317-5777 www.trucktires.com Capital Volvo Truck & Trailer (334) 262-8856 Butler Industrial Tire Center, Inc. www.capitalvolvo.com (334) 376-0178 Coffman International Trucks Columbus Tire Co., Inc. (334) 794-4111 (706) 321-8133 www.coffmaninternationaltrucks.com www.columbustireco.com Daimler Trucks NA LLC McGriff Tire Co. (803) 207-4099 (256) 739-0710 www.freightlinertrucks.com www.mcgrifftire.com Empire Truck Sales, LLC McGriff Treading Co., Inc. (601) 939-1000 (256) 734-4298 www.empiretruck.com www.mcgriffindustries.com Fleetco, Inc. Michelin North America (615) 256-0600 (864) 201-6177 www.fleetco.net www.michelintruck.com Four Star Freightliner Snider Fleet Solutions (334) 263-1085 (Montgomery) (404) 361-0130 www.fourstarfreightliner.com www.snidertire.com Long Lewis Western Star Wilks Tire & Battery Service, Inc. (205) 428-6241 (256) 878-0211 www.longlewistrucks.com www.wilkstire.com Mack Trucks, Inc. Yokohama Tire Corp. (678) 201-4770 (317) 385-2611 www.macktrucks.com www.yokohamatire.com Navistar (813) 382-3113 www.internationaldelivers.com
Neely Coble Co. (256) 350-1630 www.neelycoble.com Nextran Truck Corporation (205) 841-4450 www.nextrancorp.com Peterbilt Motors Co. (770) 330-7014 www.peterbilt.com Peterbilt of Montgomery & Birmingham LLC (800) 264-4555 www.peterbilttruckcenters.com Rush Truck Center-Mobile (251) 459-7300 www.rushofmobile.com Southland International Trucks, Inc. (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Taylor & Martin, Inc. (662) 262-4613 www.taylorandmartin.com Thompson/Caterpillar (205) 849-4365 www.thompsontractor.com Truckworx Kenworth - Birmingham (205) 326-6170 www.TRUCKWORX.com Truckworx Kenworth – Dothan (334) 712-4900 www.TRUCKWORX.com Truckworx Kenworth – Montgomery (334) 263-3101 www.TRUCKWORX.com Truckworx Kenworth – Mobile (251) 957-4000 www.TRUCKWORX.com Truckworx Kenworth – Huntsville (256) 308-0162 www.TRUCKWORX.com Truckworx Kenworth – Thomasville (334) 636-4380 www.TRUCKWORX.com Truckworx Kenworth – Tuscaloosa (205) 752-2886 www.TRUCKWORX.com Volvo Trucks North America (336) 393-2975 www.volvotrucks.volvo.com Ward International Trucks, LLC (251) 433-5616 www.wardintltrucks.com TRUCK & EQUIPMENT AUCTIONEERS Taylor & Martin, Inc. (662) 262-4613 www.taylorandmartin.com TRUCKSTOPS Love’s Travel Stops, Inc. (405) 202-4451 www.loves.com Oasis Travel Center, LLC (251) 960-1148 Pilot Flying J Centers (865) 207-3219 www.pilotflyingj.com TravelCenters of America/Petro Shopping Centers (678) 591-4675 www.tatravelcenters.com VEHICLE LEASING Southland International Trucks, Inc. (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Ward International Trucks, LLC (251) 433-5616 www.wardintltrucks.com
ATA
NEW MEMBERS & EVENTS
ATA Calendar of Events
New Members (as of 6-19-2015)
ATA Board of Director’s Meeting & Officer Installation June 23, 2015 Montgomery, Ala.
Alexander Services, LLC 575 Railroad Dr Hayden, AL 35079 Phone (205) 296-1297 Mr. John Alexander
NATMI Certification Course September 2015 (TBA) Montgomery, Ala.
Commercial Credit Group Inc. 227 West Trade St. Suite 1450 Charlotte, NC 28202 Phone (704) 731-0031 bcurry@commercialcreditgroup.com Mr. Barry Curry
National Truck Driver Championships August 11-15, 2015 St. Louis, Mo National Truck Driver Appreciation Week September 13-19, 2015 Nationwide ATA Golf Classic September 29, 2015 Prattville, Ala. American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition October 17-20, 2015 Philadelphia, Pa. SMMC Christmas Celebration December 14, 2015 Pelham, Ala. ATA Board of Director’s Meeting January 26, 2016 Montgomery, Ala. SMMC Fleet Safety Awards March 21, 2016 Pelham, Ala. ATA Annual Convention & Meeting April 28-30, 2016 Las Vegas, Nev. ATA Board of Director’s Meeting & Officer Installation June 21, 2016 Montgomery, Ala.
Perfect Choice Transportation Inc. 594 US Hwy 278 E Cullman, AL 35055 Phone (256) 339-8475 hbusby_pct@yahoo.com Mr. Harold Busby
Information Builders 980 Hammond Dr. Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 30328 Phone (770) 395-9913 tim_myers@ibi.com Mr. Tim Myers
Richway Transportation Services, Inc. AL P. O. Box 205 Axis, AL 36505 Phone (251) 441-7499 davidw@richardsoncompanies.com Mr. David Ware
CPAPnea Medical Solutions 3300 Cahaba Road Suite 50 Birmingham, AL 35223 Phone (205) 874-6870 jgurosky@theglobalteam.com Mr. Jeff Gurosky
New South Express, Inc. 3700 Claypond Road Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 6378 Phone (843) 903-8890 Mr. Carl Hamilton
Eastern Shore Transfer, Inc 21686 Middlebrook Street Fairhope, AL 36532 Phone (251) 517-4434 contactus@easternshoretransfer.com Ms. Pamela Wise
Noble LLC P.O. Box 908 Scottsboro, AL 35768 Phone (256) 574-0066 noblellctrucking@gmail.com Mr. Sam Noble
A
D V E R T I S I N G
I
N D E X
ADVERTISER
PG. NO.
PH. NO.
ATA WCSIF
BC
(334) 834-7911
ATRI
32
The Baxter Agency
29
(800) 873-8494
www.baxteragency.com
WEB ADDRESS
(205) 328-7278
www.trucktrailer.carrier.com
www.atacompfund.org www.atri-online.org
Carrier Transicold South
31
Dorsey Trailer
22
Infiniti-i
27
(205) 585-3895
Ahicks0604@bellsouth.net
International Trucks
IFC
(800) 844-4102
www.navistar.com
Johnson Locklin
25
(251) 947-3015
www.johnson-locklin.com
J.J. Keller
37
(888) 473-4638 ext. 7892
Nextran Truck Center
7
(800) 292-8685
www.nextrancorp.com
www.dorseytrailer.net
www.jjkellermobile.com
Palomar Insurance
30
(800) 489-0105
www.palomarins.com
Pivotal LNG
24
713-300-5116
www.pivotallng.com
Regions Insurance
6
(800) 807-1412
www.regionsinsurance.com
Southland Trailer Div.
33
(888) 844-1821
www.southlandtrucks.com
IBC
(205) 849-4288
www.thompsontractor.com
23
888-3737-888
wwwtruckersagainsttrafficking.org
Thompson Cat Truckers Against Trafficking Truckworx Kenworth
3
(800) 444-6170
www.truckworx.com
Turner & Hamrick
26
(888) 385-0186
www.turnerhamrick.com
20-21
(205) 755-2610
www.thomasoil.com
WH Thomas Oil Co. 40
Dodson Gregory LLP P. O. Box 530725 Birmingham, AL 35253 Phone (205) 834-9170 raa@dodsongregory.com Mr. Rob Arnwine
A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2015