Chairman’s Message

I am thrilled to be serving as the 2023 IMTA Chairman of the Board; my family has a long history of involvement with the association. As I move into the Chairman’s role, I am honored to be following in the footsteps of my grandfather Harold Dickey who was chairman in 1980 and my father Dave Dickey who was chairman in 1999.

At our annual convention in September when I was officially voted in as the Chairman, I remember back to 23 years ago as I was sitting in the audience watching my father up on stage as he was named chairman. It was very special then and is equally special now. As the first third-generation chairman of this great association, I think it speaks volumes to the kind of organization IMTA is and the kind of people that are part of the IMTA membership. All of us are very committed and focused on being part of the solution and larger voice for Iowa’s trucking industry.

I had the honor of working beside my grandfather and my father throughout my career at Dickey Transport and they taught me well. They instilled in me the consistent and tireless work ethic that is needed to be successful in this business. They also instilled in me the value of the industry. Trucking is the lifeline to every household. Because of trucks, we all have a very comfortable life and almost immediate access to anything we want or need. That further speaks to the tremendous responsibility we have as an industry to continually strive to deliver the products safely and professionally every single day.

As I look at the year ahead, I have a couple of priorities that will be my focus as the IMTA Chairman. Of course, getting our tort reform legislation passed is at the top of the list. This is some of the most important legislative work we have ever done as an organization. Every single trucker in this state is being impacted by the aggressive trial attorneys that have targeted our industry. The only course of action is through legislative reforms, and I will continue to do everything in my power to get this over the finish line.

Another important priority that is personally very important to me is improving the way our professional truck drivers are treated, especially when it comes to shippers and receivers. There is no reason that any driver should be denied the use of a restroom or be extended simple common courtesy when they deliver a load. Shippers and receivers cannot and should not be treating drivers as though they are second class citizens, especially when the driver has successfully delivered a load for them. I am tired of hearing the stories of the bad treatment drivers receive upon delivering a load. The rude and unprofessional actions that are still too prevalent at the dock are as much of a factor in drivers exiting our industry as anything else and that must change. During COVID, professional truck drivers were the heroes, and the industry finally got the recognition and respect that it deserved. Unfortunately, however, as the pandemic winded down, so did the recognition and respect for the industry. It will be my focus to look for ways in the upcoming year to address this important priority. In addition to being the IMTA Chairman, I also serve as a state Senator for district 44. This will be my third session as a state legislator, and I am excited to continue to work in making Iowa not only a great place to live but a great place to work, too. The Republican majorities are strong in both

I APPRECIATE THE TRUST YOU the House and the Senate, and HAVE PUT IN ME AS YOUR CHAIRMAN, our Governor is as good as it AND I AM HUMBLED TO BE ABLE TO gets in moving this State in

REPRESENT YOU IN THIS MANNER. the right direction. As a state Senator I have seen firsthand the many sides of an association and I am proud of being affiliated with the IMTA. IMTA is a premier association, and they are recognized and highly respected at the Capitol. IMTA represents our interests and is our voice on so many different levels. Your involvement and support are appreciated and always needed too. I appreciate the trust you have put in me as your chairman, and I am humbled to be able to represent you in this manner. We have a lot of work to do so let’s get to it and continue to make a difference. ADRIAN DICKEY IMTA’s Chairman of the Board