CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE It is a distinct honor to be serving in the role of IMTA’s Trucking is hard work and at every turn we are facing a chairman of the board. For as long as I can remember, the new challenge. Today’s environment tests even the most Iowa Motor Truck Association has been a valued partner seasoned CEO, yet I can’t imagine doing anything else. to me and our company, Weinrich Truck Line. Through Trucking is all I know and despite the challenges, I love the example set by my parents, giving back to the indus- every minute of it. I believe there are many reading this try through participation at a high level has always been column that have the same affinity for this industry. We what is expected. Organizations like IMTA as well as are dedicated problem solvers the American Trucking Associations and the Truckload and tenacious in serving this Carriers Association play an important and necessary role. country every day by delivAnd for these organizations to be effective and successful, ering the peace of mind that we must step up and be involved. only our industry can deliver. Over the next 12 months, I am committed to serving We have a big job, but we do you by being engaged and attentive in leading the efforts it well and we have demonof our association as your chairman. I take this role very strated that time and time seriously and my goal is to contribute as much as possible again. Like many of you, I am in moving forward on several important priorities. But to be effective, I am calling on you to be even more involved proud of the work we do as a trucking company and I am as an IMTA member. My dad instilled in me the “get in the game” approach proud of the impact we make and I am going to do the same with you. As a member on the lives of virtually everyof IMTA you need to get in the game and be an engaged one. Like you, I also get frusmember. Far too often, people think that being “engaged” trated when people take us BRENDA DITTMER means that they must attend an IMTA event, write a check for granted or cast a negative IMTA’s Chairman of the Board or get involved on a committee. Those are all good things image on our industry. I get to do, and I would encourage and challenge you to consider as equally frustrated when legislators propose legislation doing all those things but being engaged is with no real understanding or appreciation much easier than you think. It is as simple of what is required every day to get a truck MY DAD INSTILLED as taking the time to read the newsletter from point A to point B. Unfortunately, I IN ME THE “GET IN THE and staying on top of the various priorcan’t fight all those battles but organizaities we are focusing on. It is as easy as GAME” APPROACH AND tions like the IMTA are on the frontline hopping on a monthly webinar to gain I AM GOING TO DO THE every day fighting those battles for us. some expertise on a new regulation or a They are doing work that I simply cannot SAME WITH YOU. AS do because of my many responsibilities new challenge facing our industry. Being A MEMBER OF IMTA at the company. I have often thought of engaged means that you will take 5 minYOU NEED TO GET IN where we would be as an industry if we utes to participate in one of our monthly didn’t have organizations like the IMTA surveys or be part of one of IMTA’s focus THE GAME AND BE AN as our advocate and our watchdog. groups. ENGAGED MEMBER. While we appreciate your financial This is important work people, and support, getting your input and insight we need important organizations like is what really enables us to do even more as an association. the IMTA in our corner. I have always been involved and We need to hear about the things that are impacting your engaged at a high level but now as your chairman, I too am bottom line. Your feedback does matter. We value the opin- going to kick it up a notch and I challenge you to do the ions and responses of the membership and hearing from same. We have a lot of challenges in front of us but I am engaged members is at the heart of what we do every day confident that when we all come together and roll up our as an organization. In order to be the voice of the industry, sleeves, things will happen and we will make progress in we need to hear from the members to ensure we are getting overcoming some of these obstacles. it right when we advocate for you. Are you with me?
ISSUE 4, 2021
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