Lawrence Spiekermeier, the truck driver who transported the national tree to the U.S. Capitol, says it was the highlight of his career.
By Larry Spiekermeier
I’m one of 3.5 million professional truck drivers on America’s roads working to safely deliver the goods that keep our lives and economy moving, but on my latest trip, my truck is longer and heavier than usual and I couldn’t be prouder. With a 79-foot-tall Engelmann Spruce in tow, I’m the driver who’s been safely traveling across the country to deliver this year’s Christmas tree to the U.S. Capitol.
I’ve been hauling for 49 years through 49 states and am proud to say I’ve traveled 3.5-million accident-free miles. But this is the proudest job I’ve had so far in my career. For over 50 years, a Christmas tree has been put on display at the Capitol each holiday season, and this year, I’ve been proud to be a part of it, along with Whitewood Transport, who was selected from over 500,000 trucking companies in the U.S. to haul the 2017 tree to Washington.
On November 13th, I departed Montana for a two-week adventure to make the 3,460-mile journey from the Kootenai National Forest to our nation’s capital. Day after day, I’ve been rolling across the country, with stops in Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia, where thousands of people have gathered to take part in this annual and festive journey.
I am grateful and proud of my job. Trucking really moves America. The industry provides one out of every 16 jobs. Some may be surprised to know that 80 percent of our communities in America rely solely on trucking for the delivery of their goods that keeps us running. The trucking industry also makes investments to improve safety and protect the environment, providing billions of dollars to develop the most modern trucks to keep us all safe, which is our highest priority.
By James Jaillet
The trucking industry has a story to tell, says Kevin Burch, outgoing chairman of the American Trucking Associations, but, he says, the industry hasn’t in the past done its duty to make that story known to lawmakers, regulators and the public at large.
Initiatives taken this year by Burch’s ATA intend to change that, he says.
Kevin Burch, outgoing chairman of the American Trucking Associations
Such efforts were on national display last week when President Donald Trump spoke to a crowd of fleet executives, drivers and other industry personnel — organized by ATA — on the merits of his tax reform plan at a stump speech in Harrisburg, Pa. About 200 trucking industry personnel were in attendance at the event, says Burch.
Burch not only attended the speech but was mentioned by name by Trump during the address. Burch, said Trump, is a would-be beneficiary of the administration’s proposal to cut taxes on small businesses. “He wants to create more American jobs. We are helping him do exactly that,” Trump said.
Burch spoke to CCJ in an exclusive interview this week about Trump’s speech, ATA’s push to make its story heard and ATA’s chief lobbying efforts for the current Congress and administration. “We need to tell people how vital and how essential the trucking industry is,” Burch says. “The president has helped us tell that story to people. We made it clear to the White House staff [earlier this year] that we move America’s goods and we’re vital to all the things he’s trying to do.”
“It’s refreshing,” says Burch, to hear the president use words like “heroes” to describe those in the trucking industry. Burch is the president of Jet Express, a roughly 330-truck fleet that hauls loads for the automotive industry. He’s worked in trucking for north of four decades.
Burch’s Jet Express runs about 100 company trucks and contracts with about 220 owner-operators.
In addition to the shout-out during Trump’s speech last Wednesday, Burch also greeted the president personally after he deplaned from Air Force One and was in attendance a day later at the signing of an Executive Order that, in part, aims to make it easier for trade groups and associations to provide health insurance plans to small businesses.
ATA’s support for the Executive Order on healthcare doesn’t signal the group’s intentions to enter the realm of insurance providers, says Burch. But it represents the group’s push for broader healthcare reform that, like tax reform, could benefit trucking companies, says Burch. “We feel it’s going to help our members,” Burch said of the Executive Order. “The health of our drivers is important. We want quality healthcare for our drivers. The safety and health of our drivers should supersede anything else and has always been our priority.”
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WRSP) — Hurricane Harvey devastated parts of Texas nearly two weeks ago and the outpouring of support and supplies continues for the victims.
But with another major storm on the way, more people will soon be in need of help.
Hurricane Irma is churning its way towards the U.S. and millions of people are in its path.
Now organizations say they fear they will have to stretch their resources.
Supplies and passion are all in a truck heading to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
“Just the devastation for the people down there,” said Matt Hart, Executive director Illinois Trucking Association. “And we’ve been overwhelmed by the number of the members of the Illinois Trucking Association that’s been wanting to help.”
Thousands across the nation are pouring their time into disaster relief.
But now a category 5 hurricane is approaching Florida and resources are wearing thin.
United Way said organizations are running into difficulties.
Link: Fox Illinois
Trucking industry companies across the nation are pledging charitable support for the victims of Hurricane Harvey and the long recovery effort ahead.
The following is just a small sample of companies and people who have seen the destruction from Harvey’s floods and decided to give support in any way they can.
In a joint effort, U.S. subsidiaries of Daimler, including Daimler Trucks North America and Mercedes-Benz USA, are donating $1 million in total to victims of the storm. The donation will be given to the American Red Cross to be used for immediate disaster relief, emergency assistance, and other services.
The Illinois Trucking Association is collaborating with the Texas Trucking Association and has contacted its members that have terminals near Houston to offer equipment, supplies, and money to the Harvey recovery effort. ITA has asked any members with trailers or available trucks and drivers to assist in taking supplies to the area. It also asked for collections of supplies to be picked up by ITA, and for monetary donations as well.
Link: Trucking Info
By: Klint Lowry
DALLAS – You can’t very well be the walking symbol of goodwill for an entire industry and have people referring to you as “what’s-its-name, that truck thingy.”
But from its debut in May, that was the Trucking Moves America Forward mascot’s lot in life, even as it began its duties as the embodiment of TMAF’s mission to promote and enhance the image of the trucking industry, appearing at the Truckers Jamboree in Wolcott, Iowa, and at the National Truck Driving Championships in Orlando.
Even during the first two days at the Great American Trucking Show, as it moved around the convention floor, posing for pictures, occasionally breaking out in dance and leaving a trail of happy faces behind it, it did so anonymously.
All that changed on the opening of Day 3, however, as Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express Inc., chairman of the American Trucking Associations and co-chairman of TMAF, took to the Red Eye Radio stage just outside the convention floor entrance to officially reintroduce the mascot, by name.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, meet Safety Sammy.
Trucking Moves America Forward was created three years ago to promote a positive image for the trucking industry and to educate the public as to trucking’s scope and importance.
“TMAF is an industrywide image movement,” Burch said. “It’s not a campaign. Campaigns are finite. This is something intended to be continuous.
“We have a mascot because it is long overdue. We need to tell our story, what we do every day. The mascot’s helping us amplify trucking’s voice both within the community and outside the industry.”
Burch was on hand in May when the then-unnamed mascot was unveiled at the Pilot Travel Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, in May. Its effectiveness as an attention -grabber was immediate.
“People wanted to gravitate around the mascot,” Burch said. The same thing could be seen at GATS. Kids, especially, want to have their picture taken with it.
It was also announced at that Knoxville debut that the mascot needed a name, and they wanted suggestions from the public. That in itself helped draw attention to TMAF. The response was overwhelming, Burch said. In a month, nearly 2,000 entries poured in on the TMF website. From those they chose five finalists. In addition to Safety Sammy the other choices were Axle, Bob Tail, Seymour S. Miles and Wheels.
Online voting continued right up until midnight the night before the announcement, with about 2,000 votes tallied overall.
Immediately after the announcement, Safety Sammy was fitted with a custom license plate bearing his name, after which he got back to work, taking a celebratory lap around the convention floor.
“Safety Sammy represents the safety we strive for each and every day on the road,” Burch said. “We’re looking forward to taking Sammy coast to coast, to tell the vital trucking story.”
Link: The Trucker
TMAF’s new mascot will have a BIG presence at GATS 2017! Look for us at TMAF’s booth, our partners’ booths and throughout the show. See below for the mascot’s full GATS schedule:
Thursday, August 24
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. American Trucking Associations / Booth 12044
1:30 – 2:00 p.m. TMAF Booth / Booth 40018
2:45 – 3:15 p.m. Pilot Flying J / Booth 22024
Friday, August 25
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. American Trucking Associations / Booth 12044
11:15 – 11:45 a.m. TMAF Booth / Booth 40018
12:15 -12:45 p.m. OOOIDA / Booth 21017
2:45 – 3:15 p.m. TMAF Press Conference / Press Room / Lower Lobby AB
Saturday, August 26
9:00 – 9:10 a.m. Red Eye Radio Stage – Name Announcement
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. Photo Opportunities / Red Eye Radio Stage
11:00 – 11:30 a.m. American Trucking Associations / Booth 12044
1:00 – 1:30 p.m. TMAF Booth / Booth 40018
Send your mascot selfies to mascot@truckingmovesamerica.com!
Bryce Neilson Named Rookie of the Year at Trucking’s “Super Bowl of Safety”
Orlando, Florida – Today, American Trucking Associations announced Roland Bolduc as the Bendix Grand Champion of the 2017 National Truck Driving Championships.
“With an impressive showing this week, Roland Bolduc emerged as the leader of the field and is taking home our industry’s top prize,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “On behalf of ATA and the entire trucking community, I want to thank the strong field of competitors for participating in these championships and practicing safety every day on our nation’s highways. Your commitment to excellence makes us proud to be in the trucking industry.”
To clinch the esteemed title of 2017 Bendix Grand Champion, Bolduc’s driving accuracy and knowledge of truck safety surpassed the more than 420 other state champion professional truck drivers competing in all vehicle classes in Orlando, Florida this week.
Bolduc, who also took home the Sleeper Berth class title, lives in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts and drives professionally for FedEx Express. He has more than 1.9 million safe driving miles in his career and has worked in the trucking industry for more than 36 years, spending the last 23 years with FedEx Express. Bolduc was named an America’s Road Team Captain in 2000.
ATA also recognized Bryce Neilson as the 2017 Rookie of the Year. Neilson claimed the title after performing well in the Flatbed division. Additionally, the team of drivers from Kentucky produced the best collective score, with an average of 307.13, and were honored as the top state delegation.
Professionalism and dedication to the trucking industry were key themes during the National Truck Driving Championships. Daniel Shamrell was honored during the awards banquet with the Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award and Joe Smith was chosen as the Lifetime Volunteer Award recipient.
ACT 1 served as a premier sponsor of the 2017 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships, which took place Aug. 9-12 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Since 2011, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has been the sole sponsor of the Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion.
Champions from each of the 9 vehicle classes were also announced. Joining Roland Bolduc on the list of national champions are:
3-Axle: Glen Kirk, Franklin, Indiana, Old Dominion Freight Line
4-Axle: James Duffy, Marshall, Wisconsin, FedEx Freight
5-Axle: Michael Miltenberger, Cumberland, Maryland, PITT OHIO
Flatbed: Wayne Crowder, Louisville, Kentucky, FedEx Freight
Sleeper Berth: Roland Bolduc, East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, FedEx Express
Straight Truck: Richard Bailey, Macomb, Michigan, FedEx Freight
Tank Truck: Scott Woodrome, Middletown, Ohio, FedEx Freight
Twins: Chris Poyner, Richland, Washington, XPO Logistics
Step Van: Michael Bills, Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, FedEx Express
Other Awards
Rookie of the Year: Bryce Neilson, Anaconda, Montana, FedEx Freight
Team Champions: Kentucky
Vehicle Condition: Bryan Wold, Reiles Acres, North Dakota, XPO Logistics
Highest Written Exam Award: Paul Brandon, Oxford, Connecticut, FedEx Freight and Don Logan, Eskridge, Kansas, FedEx Freight
Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence: Daniel Shamrell, Battle Ground, Washington, FedEx Freight
Lifetime Volunteer Award: Joe Smith, Kenco Management
Full results from today’s final competition below:
| Final Standings | ||||
| Class | Place | Name | Employer | State |
| 3-Axle | ||||
| 1 | Glen Kirk | Old Dominion Freight Line | Indiana | |
| 2 | David Rohman | FedEx Express | North Carolina | |
| 3 | David Murphy | YRC Freight | Idaho | |
| 4 | Walter McGuire | Walmart Transportation | Georgia | |
| 5 | Sam Wilson | XPO Logistics | Nebraska | |
| 4-Axle | ||||
| 1 | James Duffy | FedEx Freight | Wisconsin | |
| 2 | Tony Archambault | Walmart Transportation | Maine | |
| 3 | Daniel Shamrell | FedEx Freight | Oregon | |
| 4 | Steven Ward | FedEx Express | South Carolina | |
| 5 | Darrell Shelton | FedEx Freight | Washington | |
| 6 | Bruce Quaal | YRC Freight | Minnesota | |
| 5-Axle | ||||
| 1 | Michael Miltenberger | PITT OHIO | Maryland | |
| 2 | Jose Orozco | XPO Logistics | Arizona | |
| 3 | Artur Lesniowski | FedEx Ground | New Jersey | |
| 4 | Nicholas Jones | FedEx Freight | Oregon | |
| 5 | Tom Hopkins | Walmart Transportation | Nebraska | |
| Flatbed | ||||
| 1 | Richard Crowder | FedEx Freight | Kentucky | |
| 2 | Dennis Shirar | Walmart Transportation | Indiana | |
| 3 | Brian Walker | UPS Freight | North Carolina | |
| 4 | Donald Logan | FedEx Freight | Kansas | |
| 5 | Edward Mikan | UPS | Illinois | |
| Sleeper Berth | ||||
| 1 | Roland Bolduc | FedEx Express | Massachusetts | |
| 2 | Heladio Fernandez | FedEx Freight | Oregon | |
| 3 | Rick Pledger | Walmart Transportation | Texas | |
| 4 | Brian Hall | Old Dominion Freight Line | Tennessee | |
| 5 | Gary Mars | Walmart Transportation | Arkansas | |
| Straight Truck | ||||
| 1 | Richard Bailey | FedEx Freight | Michigan | |
| 2 | Brent Glasenapp | FedEx Express | Wisconsin | |
| 3 | Dale Brenaman | UPS | Kentucky | |
| 4 | Christopher Shaw | FedEx Express | New Mexico | |
| 5 | David Hawk | FedEx Freight | Alabama | |
| Tank Truck | ||||
| 1 | Scott Woodrome | FedEx Freight | Ohio | |
| 2 | Thomas Garner | FedEx Freight | Alabama | |
| 3 | Anthony Spero | ABF Freight System | Connecticut | |
| 4 | Gerald Wrinkle | Walmart Transportation | Kentucky | |
| 5 | Daniel Bartelson | XPO Logistics | North Dakota | |
| Twins | ||||
| 1 | Chris Poynor | XPO Logistics | Washington | |
| 2 | Jeffrey Rose | YRC Freight | Ohio | |
| 3 | Marcus Byrd | FedEx Freight | Mississippi | |
| 4 | Michael Flippin | FedEx Freight | Colorado | |
| 5 | Esteban Perez | AAA Cooper Transportation | Texas | |
| Step Van | ||||
| 1 | Michael Bills | FedEx Express | North Carolina | |
| 2 | Jason Imhoff | Walmart Transportation | Ohio | |
| 3 | Ceth Christensen | UPS | Illinois | |
| 4 | Bartholomew Masciulli | FedEx Express | Pennsylvania | |
| 5 | Kailen Bronson | FedEx Ground | Oregon |
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward.
Everyone who uses the roads has a role to play in safety. This includes large trucks and buses, cars, bicyclists and pedestrians.
This contest lets children in kindergarten through sixth grade (ages 5-12) use their creativity and talent to help raise awareness of how to stay safe on the roads.
Children can:
Click here for more information and to submit your entry by Sept. 24, 2017.
Co-chairman Kevin Burch joined iTruck Radio to discuss the latest TMAF news, including the naming of our new mascot and its presence this week at the Truckers Jamboree in Walcott, Iowa. Listen to the full interview below:
Industry Mascot “Safety Sammy” travels the country as a symbol of America’s most essential industry: trucking!
Industry Mascot “Safety Sammy” travels the country as a symbol of America’s most essential industry: trucking!