Power by association

Sixty-five years ago, the Truckload Carriers Assn. (TCA), then known as the Interstate Truckload Carriers Assn., held its first conference. The country was struggling to recover from The Great Depression and World War II hung like a dark cloud over the future. This March, truckload carriers met once again in the anxious climate of economic recession and possible war to consider the present state of the industry and ponder what the future holds for trucking and the world.

The conference theme was “Power by Association,” and general sessions and roundtable discussions tackled tough issues including insurance, national security, diesel fuel prices, NAFTA, safety and profitability. William Cohen, Sec. of Defense under President Clinton, provided his perspective on “The Perils and Promise of the New World,” in a general session presentation.

Truckload carriers also honored their own heroes and leaders at the conference with a number of annual awards. Patrick E. Quinn, past chairman of TCA, presented the prestigious Past Chairman's award to James Hardman, special counsel to Dart Transit Co. and long-time advocate of the trucking industry. The award is given to recognized industry leaders who make a significant contribution to the business community, the industry and the TCA.

The Lee Crittenden Memorial Award was presented posthumously to Michael R. McCombs, vice president of safety services for Great West Casualty Company. Pat Kuehl, executive vice president of Great West, accepted the award on behalf of McCombs. The award is given to the person who has done the most to advance the goals and ideals of the Professional Truck Drivers Institute Inc. (PTDI).

Carol Ann M. Schlussler of Dothan, AL, affiliated with Dart Transit Co. of Lancaster, TX, was honored as the TCA Independent Contractor of the Year. Among other accomplishments, Schlussler was credited with driving more than 2-million accident-free miles.

Company Equipment Driver of the Year awards went to six drivers, four individuals and one team. George Dieu, a driver for Team Transport Inc. with more than 4-million miles of accident-free driving on his record, received top honors; Thomas Miller, a driver for Burns Motor Freight Inc., took second place; Robert King with Contract Freighters Inc. took third place; husband and wife team, Sharon and Larry Moore with Marten Transportation received the fourth place award; and Brian Saunders, a driver with Challenger Motor Freight of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada received the fifth-place prize.

Mark your calendars; the meeting next spring is scheduled to be in Hawaii.