Moves and News

Update on people and places in FTA membership

In March 2021, Matt Petersen, CTP, Vice President, Florida Kenworth, joined CSM Companies leading their recent Kenworth Truck dealership acquisitions in Orlando, Lakeland and Tampa, Florida. Matt is responsible for leading his Florida dealership teams in truck sales, parts, and service operations. He also was recently awarded the Dan Smith Lifetime Achievement Award from NPTC recognizing his contributions to the private fleet community. The award is given each year to an individual who has shown significant leadership and who serves as an exemplary model for future private fleet professionals. Every year, Faith Baptist Church hosts a Bar B Q fundraiser in June to support its summer youth programs. This year, AGX Freight gave the church event an added boost by purchasing 40 dinners for Beaches Habitat for Humanity families. AGX reached out to BEAM to find out if there was a community partner in the Beaches area that might appreciate a hot meal. BEAM Food Bank Manager, Meagan Anderson, suggested that AGX contact Beaches Habitat for Humanity and the groundwork was laid for a plan to have Faith Baptist Church deliver Bar B Q dinners to Beaches Habitat

AGX supporting Beaches Habitat for Humanity (Top) AGX with Jacksonville Transportation Club (bottom)

on June 11. AGX Freight also cohosted the 11th annual Children’s Safe Passage (CSP) Charity Golf Tournament. AGX Freight recently announced its expansion to the Houston, Texas port market with a new association with Texico Transport, and its principals, Pete and Maribel Ybarra. The Houstonbased firm becomes the 20th agency to join the AGX network

Darlene Batten Sunstate participating in Wreaths Across America

and the first in the Houston market. Texico Transport specializes in intermodal operations supporting the port of Houston, currently the 8th busiest port in the United States. Atlantic Logistics is pleased to announce Darlene Batten as Accounting Services Manager. Batten will oversee and manage general accounting functions, bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, payroll, daily bank deposits, monthly reconciliations, establish customer credit worthiness, and set credit limits, among others for the professional brokerage, third party logistics (3PL) business. Batten is well-known as Sister Batten and D. Tina Batten, a published author, playwright, director, actress, filmmaker, motivator, and spiritual leader. According to Atlantic Logistics, CEO Rob Hooper, he commends and supports Batten for her professionalism, and creative, spiritual work life balance as the company encourages the centered way of life for all employees. “We are proud to have Darlene join the team and continue our closely knit business tradition while adding precision capabilities,” said Hooper. “Atlantic Logistics strives to constantly grow, innovate, and improve its services, and we understand that earning our client’s business is a daily task as we thrive on that challenge.” Last year Sunstate Carriers was honored to have two trucks participate in hauling wreaths for Wreaths Across America to the National cemetery in Bushnell. This year, the company will also host the Wreaths Across America educational exhibit at their home terminal in Tavares. Sunstate Carriers will also be partnering with the city of Eustis to help bring the Wreaths Across America educational exhibit to their annual Vetfest which honors all service men and women and first responders for their service and dedication. Calvin and Corey Williams, 40, of Port St. Lucie, were designated as “Highway Angels” by the Truckload Carriers Association May 20, earning a lapel pin, T-shirt patches, car decals and personalized certificate of appreciation. The brothers drive for Armellini Express Lines, based in Palm City, and have been truck drivers for about 13 years. They received the award after the two rescued a couple who were seriously injured in a traffic crash in February on Interstate 44 in Oklahoma. The crash was about 300 or 400 feet off the highway, Calvin Williams said, down a steep embankment. The brothers called 911 immediately, but had to climb over a barbed wire fence and slide down a muddy slope to reach the injured couple. Hub International Limited (HUB) recently announced the launch of HUB Drive Excess Liability Shield, an exclusive, affordable excess liability/umbrella insurance solution designed for transportation clients – from general freight, moving and storage, and last mile to auto/truck dealers, public auto and rail – to broaden coverage and protect them from potential major losses from nuclear verdicts. “Excess liability/umbrella insurance is critical for our transportation clients who are looking to protect themselves from catastrophic and unpredictable events,” said Lisa Paul, Chief Strategy Officer of HUB’s Transportation Specialty Practice. “HUB Drive Excess Liability Shield will help elevate the scope of protection for our clients, and they also benefit from our continued guidance in managing their risk profile to lower costs.” Landstar System recently, named Agent Lance Cole as its 2020 Rookie of the Year. Landstar defines a rookie as an independent agent who is new to the Landstar network, but not necessarily new to the transportation industry.