Las Vegas. Nineteen companies were recognized at the 75thannual Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) conference taking place here this week for reaching milestones of TCA membership. Member companies are inducted into the “Ambassador Club” upon reaching 25 years with the organization.
Following their initial induction, they are honored every five years for their ongoing commitment to TCA and the industry. Special recognition is bestowed when a company reaches the 50- or 75-year mark. This year, Truck One, Inc., of Newark, OH, reached 65 years of membership. Seven companies were inducted for reaching the 25-year mark.
At the new member welcome reception held on Saturday, March 2, Membership Committee co-chairs Aaron Tennant, president and CEO of Tennant Truck Lines, Inc., and Heather DeBaille, marketing manager for CAT Scale Company, presented the awards to the 2013 honorees:
| 65 Years |
Truck One, Inc., Newark, OH Jay Winegardner, president and CEO |
| 45 Years |
Crete Carrier Corporation, Lincoln, NB |
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Howell's Motor Freight, Inc., Roanoke, VA Harry Norris, president |
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| 35 Years |
C.R. England, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT |
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Con-way Truckload, Joplin, MO Herbert J. Schmidt, president and CEO |
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Heartland Express, North Liberty, IA Michael Gerdin, president |
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| 30 Years |
CrossGlobe Transport, Ltd., Newport News, VA |
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GE Capital, Transportation Finance, Irving, TX John Conkin, Vice President |
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HireRight, Inc., Tulsa, OK Justin Reed, Industry Relations |
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May Trucking Co., Salem, Oregon C. Marvin May, CEO |
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Prime Inc., Springfield, Missouri Robert E. Low, Founder and President |
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Weinrich Truck Line, Inc., Hinton, Iowa Donna Weinrich-Lucht, President |
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| 25 Years |
Baylor Trucking, Inc., Milan, Indiana |
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Crane Composites, Channahon, Illinois James Canaday, Vice President, National Accounts Manager |
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J & M Tank Lines, Inc., Birmingham, Alabama Harold Sumerford, CEO |
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Mercer Transportation Co., Inc., Louisville, Kentucky James Stone, President |
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TMW Systems, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio Dave Wangler, President and CEO |
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Transportation Costing Group, Inc., Rockville, Maryland Kenneth Manning, President |
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Wabash National Corporation, Lafayette, Indiana Richard Giromini, President and CEO |
With the addition of the seven newest inductees, there are now a total of 88 companies in TCA’s Ambassador Club, according to TCA.
Nine other individuals were also honored for helping to recruit members for the organization. Dubbed the “Rigsters,” this year’s list includes:
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Kevin Burch, President, Jet Express, Inc., Dayton, OH |
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Ray Haight, CEO, Transrep Inc., Caledonia, Ontario |
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Paul Higgins, Director of Fleet Maintenance, Prime Inc., Springfield, MO |
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Deanna Klose, former Director of Human Resources, Veriha Trucking, Inc., Marinette, WI |
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Tom Kretsinger, Jr., President, American Central Transport, Inc., Liberty, MO |
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Robert Low, Prime Inc., President & Founder, Springfield, MO |
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Tom McLeod, President, McLeod Software Corporation, Birmingham, AL |
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Amy Mielke, Transportation Sourcing Leader, Owens Corning, Toledo, OH |
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Tom Witt, President, Roehl Flatbed & Specialized, Roehl Transport Inc., Marshfield, WI |
“Our association is fortunate to have such a loyal and committed membership base. The knowledge our Ambassador Club companies have contributed over the years is what has made this association such a valuable asset to the truckload community. And we are also grateful to our Rigsters, who believe so deeply in what we do that they’re willing to take the time to share the rewards with other companies,” said TCA president, Chris Burruss. “Without our Ambassadors and Rigsters, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”