Up Close & Personal

IMTA’s Chairman of the Board Brenda Dittmer, Vice President of Weinrich Truck Line

1What motivates you to come to work every day?

I would say the number of people/families that rely on us every day. Whether it’s our own employees who need the paycheck every week or our customers who rely on us to deliver their products, there are a lot of folks depending on us to do our job each and every day. The other motivation for me on a more personal side is to not let my dad down. He left us his legacy to carry on and I don’t want to disappoint him.

2What are you looking forward to the most as the Chairman of the Board for IMTA?

The times I get to meet with other members. There are so many members who I admire and respect, and MANY who I have yet to meet.

3How do you believe the trucking industry will fare under the Biden

Administration?

I believe all businesses will have some difficulties under this Administration. If the tax rates increase as proposed, it will be a hardship on all companies. If we cannot find a way to encourage the people to get back to work, every industry will have a shortage of employees which is evident BRENDA DITTMER IMTA’s Chairman of the Board right now as we are facing the circus in the current supply chain situation. The additional rules and regulations placed on our industry, such as increased EPA standards or the vaccine mandates and the ensuing paperwork that will be required, will add another burden for all of us. However, if the economy comes back to life and we get the workers we need to correct the current environment, trucking should fare well.

4In your opinion, what are the biggest barriers to profitability for a trucking company today and how is IMTA going to help its members deal with those barriers?

The increasing insurance costs, both truck insurance and health insurance. Hopefully, the Lawsuit Abuse legislation that IMTA is continuing to push will help stabilize the truck insurance situation. As for the health insurance, I’m not sure. I would say IMTA helps by continuing to give us a voice with those that do have the means to correct. Whether we will ever get through to them is unknown, but we have to keep fighting.

5What is the most misunderstood element of IMTA and its operation in Des Moines?

I think the two most misunderstood aspects are 1) It’s too expensive or not worth the money; or 2) It’s only for the big carriers. Both of those are significantly incorrect, and I would love to spend my year discrediting those myths. When comparing the cost of membership with the resources available to you, it is more than reasonable. As for the big vs small argument, obviously, I would disagree with that as well. As a small carrier, I don’t have the budget to have staff available to handle all the odd/unusual questions/problems that arise, but I do have the IMTA staff who all are well versed in these issues and are there to help. Also, there have been a number of times that being a member of IMTA has given me the opportunity to voice our concerns directly with our legislative leaders. This is an immense opportunity with immeasurable value regardless of what size of carrier you are.

6Are there some specific priorities that you are going to focus on as the Chairman of the Board?

I would say my top priority is to help push the lawsuit abuse legislation across the goal line. Aside from that finding ways to increase our membership and to ensure that we are offering many opportunities for all the members to participate.

7You have served in a leadership role for the last several years as you prepared for this top spot; however, what else has prepared you to serve as the highestranking volunteer leader for IMTA?

Years of watching and listening to all the great leaders we have had over the past years. I’ve been fortunate over the last 20+ years to be able to attend many IMTA meetings and events and there have been some amazing leaders over the course of that time.

Brenda’s family all gathered to celebrate her becoming the IMTA Chairman of the Board, including her adorable two grandchildren Emerson and Bennett. L to R: Katie, Marcus, Brenda, Barry, Shelby, Stephanie, Adam.

8You are one of only a handful of IMTA Chairman that are second generation – your father also served as the Chairman – how does that play into this whole chairman scenario?

It makes me proud that our family has participated at this level for so many years, and that we understand the value of not only being a member, but being an engaged member. I am extremely grateful that my dad instilled in me the “get in the game” approach, and then gave me the tools needed to step up.

11What are your guiding principles as the Vice President of your company and how will you rely upon those not only while leading IMTA members but also your own staff?

Treat your employees with respect and show them your appreciation EVERY DAY! And….listen! Sometimes we get so wrapped up in “this is how we do it” that we don’t listen when someone shares a new idea that might be much more effective and efficient. These principles will also be valuable while in the leadership role at IMTA.

9What is your prediction regarding the economy and the trucking industry over the next year?

I am hopeful that the economy will do well over the next 12 months as so many are still continuing to build back up after the pandemic. HOWEVER, much of that will be determined on the ability to keep a solid and reliable work force so we can build up inventories again and correct the damage done to the nation’s supply chain movements.

10If you could have a conversation with someone either dead or alive, who would it be and why?

It would absolutely be my dad, Bill! For starters, I would ask him WHY he insisted on flying that day. But I would also want to tell him all the things I didn’t get to say before. I was pretty young then and I’m not sure I ever really thanked him for all he did for us, for all he taught us and for all his love he gave so freely to us. That would be a conversation I would LOVE to have!

12How do you stay on the “pulse” of the industry and get a good understanding and appreciation of what the “real people” in trucking are going through on a daily basis?

I would say we stay very informed as to what is happening in the industry through our correspondence with IMTA, ATA and TCA. But if you want to get the perspective from the “real people”, talk to the drivers! We have a very “open door” policy here at Weinrich and we have great conversations with our drivers each time they are thru the terminal. We talk about issues they have out on the road, but we also talk with them about their family or a hobby we know they enjoy. It’s our way of staying connected and showing them that we care about them as a person.

13What motivates you to be so involved with the Iowa Motor Truck Association?

I’m not really sure it is so much “motivation” as it is “that’s the way we were raised.” We were taught: if you believe in something and want to make it the best it can be, then you get involved and do what you can to help. I love this industry and the people in it and I want to do all I can to help make it as good as it can possibly be.