Five good things that happened in trucking this week – March 26 | Rihm Kenworth

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As more Americans are vaccinated each day, the possibility of a "back to normal" life creeps closer, bringing peace of mind and hope to the community. The trucking industry prides itself on its focus on safety and its constant vigilance toward a better future. Here are five good things that happened in trucking this week.

ATA forms law enforcement advisory board

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has formed a Law Enforcement Advisory Board—a new panel that will advise the ATA Federation on ways to grow and strengthen relationships between the trucking industry and law enforcement organizations across the country. The board is comprised of ATA members who have previous experience in federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as current and retired law enforcement officials who have contributed positively to the partnership between both groups.

“No two groups have a stronger and more consistent presence on our nation's highways than law enforcement officers and American truckers,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Therein lies a strategic opportunity for greater collaboration, increased communication, and new bonds. The incredible depth and breadth of experience represented on this board will be an invaluable asset for our industry, the law enforcement community, and the safety of the motoring public alike.”

The 22 members of the Law Enforcement Advisory Board will convene bi-monthly to identify areas of opportunity and provide recommendations on priority issues. During its inaugural meeting, held virtually last week, the board identified primary issues it will focus on in the coming weeks and months, including combatting human trafficking; increasing truck parking capacity and ensuring driver safety at rest stops; commercial motor vehicle safety and security; and enhancing access to training for drivers and company safety personnel.

The 22 Advisory Board Members are:

Derek Barrs, HNTB Corporation
Joe Allen Boyd, professional driver, Walmart Inc.
Rick Cates, Marsh USA Inc.
Tim Cardwell, National High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Assistance Center
Butch Day, Yellow Corporation
Jeff DeVere, DeVere Public Affairs and Consulting
Floyd Dixon, FedEx Freight
Fred Fakkema, Zonar Systems, Inc.
Jeff Ferber, ABF Freight System
Kent Grisham, Nebraska Trucking Association
Chris Harris, ABF Freight System
Parker Harrison, Old Dominion Freight Line
Jim Kochenderfer, Werner Enterprises
Mike Martin, Old Dominion Freight Line
John McKown, professional driver, UPS Freight
Ray Miller, McAnally Wilkins Insurance
Dana Moore, Texas Trucking Association
Myron Rau, South Dakota Trucking Association
John Spiros, Roehl Transport
Jeffrey Tippit, City of La Porte Police Department
Christopher Vinson, Midlothian Police Department
Donnie Ware, ABF Freight System

Dot Foods donates supplies to Texas after winter storm

Dot Foods donated nearly 110,000 pounds of product to several nonprofit organizations that are providing relief to Texas residents.

Some of the supply donations we made in the past few weeks include:

38,000 lbs. to West Virginia Baptist; the church sent the items to Houston
37,000 lbs. to Catholic Charities in San Antonio
20,000 lbs. to San Antonio Food Bank, a Feeding Texas organization
13,000 lbs. to Reach Out America in Houston

West Virginia Baptist received 38,000 pounds of food from Dot Foods and delivered it to residents of Houston.Photo: Dot Foods

“For the state, it’s been disaster on top of disaster. Texas has been hit hard by COVID-19, and many people were still recovering from Hurricane Harvey in 2017,” said Suzy Parn, the head of Dot’s corporate charitable program. “I can’t help but think of California, Alabama, and Louisiana, which also experienced disasters alongside the pandemic last year. We donated food and supplies to those states during that time, and now it’s time for us to do what we can for Texas.”

Dot Foods is now working with FEMA to provide hand sanitizer, face masks, and other essential items for relief.

“People from all over the city came and lined up around the facility waiting to get food and water,” said Hope King from Reach Out America. “Many thanks for the wonderful shipment of food for the victims of the arctic winter blast humanitarian relief program.”

Teamsters provide 500 COVID-19 vaccines to port drivers in California

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters Ports Division provided 500 COVID-19 vaccines to port truck drivers on March 12 at Shippers Transport Express in Carson, Calif., along with Northeast Community Clinic.

Union and government officials attended the outdoor clinic for the port truck drivers, according to Press-Telegram, who the state considers essential workers because they are among those who ensure the supply chain operates smoothly.

Ron Herrera, Director of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Ports Division, speaks during a press conference at an outdoor vaccine clinic where 500 COVID-19 vaccines were distributed to port truck drivers.Photo: Brittany Murray/Press Telegram/SCNG

According to Ron Herrera, director of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Ports Division, coronavirus cases have cut into the workforce on the docks in recent months, leading port, union and terminal officials to push to vaccinate those workers quickly — so goods can keep flowing efficiently.

Speakers at the event urged trucking companies to follow the law by providing proper protective equipment and workplace safety measures.

Four-year-old befriends UPS driver; become delivery duo

Samuel Ray, a four-year-old boy from Wister, Okla. has already decided that he wants to be a UPS truck driver when he grows up.

UPS driver Matt Thomason has been delivering packages to Ray and his mom since he was six months old, according to 5 News Online, and the toddler is excited every time he sees him.

“Sometimes there’s screaming and excitement. He’ll usually chase after him,” Ray’s mom Nicole said.

Ray says he gets excited because he gets to see and play with his best friend, and that he loves to help his friend Matt deliver packages. The two deliver packages to a strip of businesses in downtown Poteau, Okla.

Four-year-old Samuel Ray and UPS driver Matt Thomason.