Up Close & Personal

IMTA’s Newest Member of Senior Management Team Allison Meiners, Director of Safety & Member Services

1Tell us about your role at the IMTA as the Director of Safety and Member

Services

We recently merged the positions of safety and membership. If you dive deep into the two, the positions really complement each other and will allow us to build upon our well-established programs. I will be overseeing both areas of the association

2What are you looking forward to the most when it comes to working at the Iowa Motor

Truck Association?

Building partnerships with our members. From allied, to carriers and everything in between, getting to know and work with the great folks that make up our industry is what I am most looking forward to.

3How will this job differ from what

ALLISON MEINERS you did at Ruan? Director of Safety and Member Services Adding the membership piece will be the biggest differentiator. Regulatory and safety has been my primary focus for the last seven years, and I am excited to learn and grow with the membership side of the association.

4What do you believe will be one of the biggest challenges for carriers in the future when it comes to safety and compliance?

I went back and forth on this, but I’m going to go with, combating lawsuit abuse. There is a great story to be told on the lengths carriers go to ensure our industry (and the motoring public) is coming home safe every day. The challenge is getting the facts of that story to folks outside of our industry.

5How are you going to approach the membership services side of your new role at IMTA?

Fostering and building relationships is something I enjoy. Understanding what our members appreciate, but also what they desire, is my priority.

6What are three guiding principles that you rely on in both your personal and professional roles?

Value – always adding value. Understanding WHY we’re doing something and what we can do to add value, is in the forefront of my mind.

Collaborate – we’re better together. Whether it’s working on a project at home with my family or working with the industry – the more hands we have on deck, the better the output.

Humility – we can all learn from each other. I will never claim to know all there is to know on any topic and would never expect anyone else to know all there is to know. I am constantly learning personally and professionally.

7You have been involved with IMTA over the years as a volunteer leader, what is something about IMTA that you have always admired or appreciated?

The association truly recognizes how important every member of the industry is and makes sure everyone is heard and appreciated. It doesn’t matter if they’re behind the desk, wrench, or steering wheel, everyone has a place, voice, and value.

8As the driver shortage continues to be a main concern by carriers of all sizes, how do you believe IMTA can weigh in on this important issue?

I believe there are a lot of things that feed into the driver shortage, but one thing we can do is continue to give tools to our members to retain their team and overall fleet. Educate members on reasons drivers are exiting the industry and how we can proactively work to keep them. Outside of the existing drivers, we need to continue to advocate for the industry and the great jobs the industry offers.

9In your first few weeks at the association, what have you learned about the association that you didn’t know?

I have the upmost appreciation for the staff. I knew they put in a lot of time, but literally every minute of the day is ensuring the best for our members and industry. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the same mission.

10Who are some of the folks that have served as valuable role models and mentors in your life?

Professionally, the person who hired me at Ruan, Bob Hogstad was a great mentor. Bob would always take the time to share a one-liner or experience that would always make me stop and reflect.

Personally, my mom is my greatest role model. I have four siblings, and my mom was always the glue that held everything together. Coming to events, making sure I had the best Halloween costume, giving me the best advice, having so many happy childhood memories, I could go on and on. I’ve always admired her, but now as a mother, I appreciate all the little (and big) things she has done for us even more.

11What does your first 60-day plan look like?

Connecting with the members and building relationships will be my primary focus. Along with that, building a plan with proactive resources, communication and education will be a priority.

12 What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t working?

My husband and I have four kids that are involved in lots of activities such as cross country, dance, soccer, baseball, track, and flag football. If I’m not being a minivan taxi mom, I’m probably spending time with friends and family, going on a bike ride, going out for dinner, or watching a sporting event (specifically the Hawkeyes, Cyclones, Twins, or Vikings).

13Introvert or Extravert?

Extravert.

14Tell us something about yourself that most people may not know about you?

I grew up just outside of Coin, Iowa.

15 Family/Background summary.

My husband, Matt and I live in Polk City. We have four kids, Morgan, Carver, Sidney, and Lainey. Matt works as a paramedic for the Polk City Fire Department.

The Meiners Family: Morgan, Carver, Matt, Sidney, Allison, Lainey

Throughout her involvement as an IMTA member, Allison has been heavily involved with the Iowa Council of Safety Management and the annual Truck Driving Championships.