Power of Partnership

The Power of Partnership: Spring Conference 2021

The energy was palpable at FTA’s Spring Conference. Everyone lamented about how long it’s been and how excited they were to reconnect with friends and colleagues. The importance and success of our relationships, both within the Association and with other organizations and people, is one reason FTA shines. A perfect theme on which to focus the conference.

The Power of Partnership started just before dawn at the SMC voluntary vehicle inspection at the FDOT eastbound Seffner Weigh Station with Florida Highway Patrol. Fueled by doughnuts and lots of caffeine, more than

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody 40 people participated in the event. The group of veterans, flanked by SMC Chair Ray Lloyd, guided groups of first-timers, who came from all sectors of the industry. The educational sessions began with John Lynch, Senior Vice President of Federal and Industry Affairs at American Trucking Associations and then moved to a fireside chat with Ken and Alix on policies and politics. Breakout sessions included government collaborations with FHP-CVE Chief Jeffrey Dixon; FDOT Statewide Scale Operations Manager Paul Clark; and DHSMV CDL Coordinator Tod Browning and a regulatory update with FHP Captain Amos Santiago.

With a copious number of delectable desserts, membership returned with their lunch plates to listen to Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s keynote address. She thanked the Association and trucking community for their hard work in spotting and reporting human trafficking, one of her key priorities. After many, many long months, the SMC Safety Awards were presented to recipients in person. (When employees were not able to travel, FTA mailed certificates to winners.) The winners of the Drivers of the Month/Year, Fleet Safety Awards and Safety Professional of the Year were honored by their colleagues for their commitment to safety and professional development. Internal partnerships with FTA Foundation Chair Doc Hyder; SMC Chair Ray Lloyd; PAC Chair Terry Dicks; and 2.0 Chair Stephanie Slivanik focused on all of the ways in which FTA members can be engaged with the Association, and how that work pays dividends. Safety managers and drivers got a lesson in social media best practices with Solomon Howard from Tucker/Hall. (If you missed it, he has an article in this issue.) For the final breakout sessions, Kyle Weaver from Carr Allison assured members that yes, it’s important to have a strong relationship with attorneys (well, some of them anyway) with Litigating Against Florida Man.

Finally, Association allies gathered together to talk about their work with FTA and how important it is to form alliances with other industries and subsequently leverage that unified power. Present were Ananth Prasad, President and CEO of Florida Transportation Builders’ Association; Sally Patrenos, President of Floridians for Better Transportation; and Alan Shelby, Executive Vice President of Florida Forestry Association.