PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Throughout the history of the Iowa Motor Truck played by a multitude of IMTA members and supporters Association, volunteer leadership has been the hallmark at many different levels. of our continued success and effectiveness as an orgaThe level of support provided by our trucking memnization. In 1942, when John Ruan convinced a group bers as well as our valued vendors is second to none. of his trucking colleagues to start an organization, they Because of the ongoing involvement and engagement didn’t hesitate to get involved. Little did they know that by the membership, IMTA is this would entail several years of their personal time as a highly capable and stalwart well as their personal money. advocate. The big acts and more These early IMTA leaders had little to no experience importantly the small acts of in lobbying or government relations but that did not leadership enable this associadeter them. The whole premise for starting the asso- tion to be extraordinarily effecciation was to have a voice at the Capitol and to unify tive. It is not unusual for IMTA an industry. They showed up to meet with legislators to generate hundreds of calls or and potential members, armed only with their passion hundreds of dollars in response for an industry that provided them a good income and to a rallying cry for action. Our voice is effective and above all, unlimited opportunities. Their effectiveness in those early days was grounded respected. in an unwavering belief in their causes and positions. I believe that the forefaThey knew the value of the trucking industry and the thers of the Iowa Motor Truck potential of a strong association, and they were unre- Association would be very lenting in their efforts to remind everyone else of that proud to see the association today. While many things have value too. BRENDA NEVILLE In those early years, this small group of volunteer changed, the one thing that IMTA President & CEO leaders crisscrossed the state recruiting members, hasn’t changed is the imporhosting association events, and promoting the truck- tance of member involvement. ing industry, all while running trucking operations that You can and do make a difference. they had started from scratch. Their Don’t ever underestimate your unbending work ethic coupled with ability to provide leadership and be LEADERSHIP COMES IN their intense desire to have the best part of the solution. Your voice does MANY DIFFERENT FORMS trucking association in the country matter! Our IMTA community is AND EVERY DAY WE fueled their efforts in those early comprised of varying levels of experARE THE BENEFICIARIES years. tise, education, and demographics. OF THE OUTSTANDING Thankfully the hard work paid off We have the resources to solve the and within 5 years they had a probig and little problems. Because of LEADERSHIP THAT the leadership provided by the memfessional staff, money in the bank, IS DISPLAYED BY bership, we can identify the issues and most importantly, respect and A MULTITUDE OF admiration from the outside world. that pose a threat and those that IMTA MEMBERS AND What started as a dream scratched provide an opportunity, and we can SUPPORTERS AT MANY out on a napkin over drinks in a take action quickly. DIFFERENT LEVELS. smoky bar set a very important and We all share an unwavering comvaluable course for Iowa’s trucking mitment and deep loyalty to the industry. trucking industry, and we are stronger, louder, and Now almost 80 years later, this legacy lives on and the smarter together. There is power in numbers and that volunteer leaders of the Iowa Motor Truck Association has been proven for over seven decades at the Iowa continue to be the hallmark of our success. Leadership Motor Truck Association. comes in many different forms and every day we are the So let’s keep the momentum going. I look forward to beneficiaries of the outstanding leadership that is dis- our continued work together.
ISSUE 3, 2021
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