Chairman's Message

It is a distinct honor to be serving in the role of IMTA’s chairman of the board. For as long as I can remember, the Iowa Motor Truck Association has been a valued partner to me and our company, Weinrich Truck Line. Through the example set by my parents, giving back to the industry through participation at a high level has always been what is expected. Organizations like IMTA as well as the American Trucking Associations and the Truckload Carriers Association play an important and necessary role. And for these organizations to be effective and successful, we must step up and be involved.

Over the next 12 months, I am committed to serving you by being engaged and attentive in leading the efforts of our association as your chairman. I take this role very seriously and my goal is to contribute as much as possible in moving forward on several important priorities. But to be effective, I am calling on you to be even more involved as an IMTA member.

My dad instilled in me the “get in the game” approach and I am going to do the same with you. As a member of IMTA you need to get in the game and be an engaged member. Far too often, people think that being “engaged” means that they must attend an IMTA event, write a check or get involved on a committee. Those are all good things to do, and I would encourage and challenge you to consider doing all those things but being engaged is much easier than you think. It is as simple as taking the time to read the newsletter and staying on top of the various priorities we are focusing on. It is as easy as hopping on a monthly webinar to gain some expertise on a new regulation or a new challenge facing our industry. Being engaged means that you will take 5 minutes to participate in one of our monthly surveys or be part of one of IMTA’s focus groups.

While we appreciate your financial support, getting your input and insight is what really enables us to do even more as an association. We need to hear about the things that are impacting your bottom line. Your feedback does matter. We value the opinions and responses of the membership and hearing from engaged members is at the heart of what we do every day as an organization. In order to be the voice of the industry, we need to hear from the members to ensure we are getting it right when we advocate for you.

Trucking is hard work and at every turn we are facing a new challenge. Today’s environment tests even the most seasoned CEO, yet I can’t imagine doing anything else. Trucking is all I know and despite the challenges, I love every minute of it. I believe there are many reading this column that have the same affinity for this industry. We are dedicated problem solvers and tenacious in serving this country every day by delivering the peace of mind that only our industry can deliver. We have a big job, but we do it well and we have demonstrated that time and time again. Like many of you, I am proud of the work we do as a trucking company and I am proud of the impact we make on the lives of virtually everyone. Like you, I also get frustrated when people take us for granted or cast a negative image on our industry. I get as equally frustrated when legislators propose legislation with no real understanding or appreciation of what is required every day to get a truck

MY DAD INSTILLED from point A to point B. Unfortunately, I IN ME THE “GET IN THE can’t fight all those battles but organizaGAME” APPROACH AND tions like the IMTA are on the frontline I AM GOING TO DO THE every day fighting those battles for us.

SAME WITH YOU. AS They are doing work that I simply cannot do because of my many responsibilities

A MEMBER OF IMTA at the company. I have often thought of

YOU NEED TO GET IN where we would be as an industry if we THE GAME AND BE AN didn’t have organizations like the IMTA

ENGAGED MEMBER. as our advocate and our watchdog. This is important work people, and we need important organizations like the IMTA in our corner. I have always been involved and engaged at a high level but now as your chairman, I too am going to kick it up a notch and I challenge you to do the same. We have a lot of challenges in front of us but I am confident that when we all come together and roll up our sleeves, things will happen and we will make progress in overcoming some of these obstacles. Are you with me?

BRENDA DITTMER IMTA’s Chairman of the Board