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Members in the News
Rhonda Hartman, who has amassed over 3-million accident-free miles during her 37-year career on the road, was one of the three recipients of the Mike Russell Trucking Image Award given by the American Trucking Associations during its annual Management Conference and Exhibition. She drives for Old Dominion Freight Line and is based out of the Ankeny, Iowa, terminal.
Hartman, an America’s Road Team Captain and former IMTA Road Team member, has used her experience as a driver to educate the public about the role of trucking in their lives. This year, she participated in the convoy honoring the centennial of Louisa Swain being the first woman to cast a ballot in the United States. This was a highlight to Hartman due to her passion for recruiting women into the trucking profession.
The Mike Russell Trucking Image Award recognizes people or groups that demonstrate excellence in illustrating the industry’s essentiality, professionalism, and commitment to safety on and off the highways.
RHONDA HARTMAN
Iowa Senate Seat Filled by IMTA Member Adrian Dickey
With only an 18-day campaign to introduce himself to Senate District 41, IMTA Board Member Adrian Dickey was elected to fill a vacancy left by Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who was provisionally seated in Congress pending a challenge on her six-vote victory margin. Senate District 41 in southeast Iowa includes Ottumwa, Fairfield, Bloomfield and Keosauqua.
Adrian is the President of Dickey Transport in Packwood, Iowa, a long-time member of the IMTA. He is the third IMTA Board Member to serve in the Iowa Senate – Mark Zieman and Matt McCoy were IMTA Board members that have shared the same distinction.
“We are very proud of Adrian’s willingness to step up and provide this important leadership within the Iowa Senate. We look forward to working with our new favorite Senator and always welcome the opportunity to have trucking represented in this manner,” said IMTA President and CEO Brenda Neville.
ADRIAN DICKEY
GATR Truck Center Opens New Des Moines Location
GATR Truck Center has recently moved from their previous Des Moines location to a brand-new location in Waukee, Iowa. This is one of GATR Truck Center’s five locations they currently own in Iowa and Minnesota.
“This is a great opportunity for both our staff and company,” says Bob Neitzke, owner of GATR Truck Center. “We will be able to take care of and service our customers better, all at this one location. We have 21 service stalls, 16 body shop stalls and 13 offices with 20 acres for future expansion!”
Established in 1962 in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, GATR began as GRILE Auto & Truck Repair. Over the years, the company has evolved and expanded adding Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; Elk River, Minnesota; and Waterloo, Iowa. GATR carries Volvo trucks, Mack trucks, Hino, Kalmar, ARI Big Bunk and Hyundai Translead brands.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Allison Meiners, Randy Kopecky Named Truck Driving Championships Chair and Co-Chair
While the annual Truck Driving Championships had to ultimately be canceled in 2020 due to COVID, the IMTA remains determined to hold the 2021 TDC with dates and location information being announced to the membership in the coming weeks.
This annual tradition is an important event that allows us to show our gratitude and appreciation to the professional truck drivers that are truly the foundation of Iowa’s trucking industry. And after witnessing just how crucial trucking is to the economy in 2020, we are anxious to celebrate a job well done.
Leading the planning efforts will be event Chairman Allison Meiners, Ruan Transportation, and event Co-Chairman Randy Kopecky, Don Hummer Trucking.
ALLISON MEINERS
RANDY KOPECKY
Additional TDC committee members:
» John Holt, Ruan Transportation » Brad Kohlwes, Argee Transport » Marvin McGinnis, Solar Transport » Bridget Nixon, Solar Transport » Terry Pump, CRST » Brian Pyle, Pyle Transportation » Krystin Sitzmann, Schuster Co.
IMTA Welcomes New Board Members to Serve in Volunteer Role
Darla Arends, President of Van Wyk, Inc. (Sheldon, Iowa), and Justin Philipp, General Manager of Simon’s Trucking (Farley, Iowa), were elected to the Iowa Motor Truck Associations’ Board of Directors with their term commencing October 1, 2020.
Darla has been involved with the trucking industry for over 26 years thanks to the family-owned corporation that specializes in the time sensitive transportation of fresh and frozen foods and other specialized products in truckload quantities. Darla has been involved with the IMTA over the years through involvement of her father, Arlan Van Wyk and brother, Dave Van Wyk, who both served on the IMTA Board.
Justin also comes from a familyowned and operated company with over 15 years dedicated to the trucking industry. Simon’s hauls many types of products that fall in line with the agricultural world. Justin is also an active member of the Farley City Council, a seat he has served since 2013. He looks forward to being the voice of the association and representing the needs, challenges, and interests of the industry.
The IMTA Board of Directors is comprised of CEOs or company officers representing a variety of trucking operations from across the State of Iowa. In addition, IMTA’s Allied Division has three seats on the Board. The IMTA Board meets in-person two times a year (May & November), virtually two times a year, and holds its annual meeting in conjunction with the annual Management Conference in September.
DARLA ARENDS
