Nebraska Trucking Forum Truckorum


TeMMXII Chris Klotz of SBT in Omaha was on his


way to the opening lunch of the 2012 Forum Truckorum. Another member congratulated Klotz on his victory at the just completed trap shoot, the event that traditionally welcomes participants to the convention. Klotz grinned. “I didn’t think I would win,” he confided. “I missed two.” Pause. “Someone else missed more.” Bigger grin. In fact, all the members and guests participating


in this year’s September 20 – 21 convention in Lincoln won something by investing their time in the event. Tey heard some interesting stories. Like the one about Dan England’s 93-year-old father enjoying his second career as a repo man. And the one about an overturned load of packaged beer that tumbled into a popular fishing stream. Before England could recover the load, the beer had floated downstream to make many an angler’s day, no matter how the fish were biting. England, chairman of C.R England in Salt Lake City, Utah, abandoned his PowerPoint in favor of powerful storytelling, and we were charmed. Te business program was an interesting


mix—a bit of free legal advice, a bit of free marketing advice, advice on how to become a “best fleet to drive for”, and an impromptu session on worker’s comp led by Gina Behrend of Great West


Casualty. She stepped in when another speaker had to depart early. In the first general session, participants learned


about an organization committed to supporting partnerships that result in a better-trained, employable work force. Tey also heard the “tough love” part of that message from presenter Fred Dedrick, executive director of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. Te trucking industry and its partners are going to have to confront and overcome some hard realities to have a driver workforce in the future. Te final session was devoted to what really


happened during the development of recommended obstructive sleep apnea guidelines at the federal level. Tat explanation was paired with a report from Tim Aschoff of Crete Carrier Corp. detailing the “real world” experience his company has had in implementing a program to screen and treat drivers who have sleep apnea. In keeping with the convention theme, those


who successfully answered trivia questions about ancient Rome and the film “Animal House” won laurel wreathes made out of cash. Jeff Rezac of Great Western Bank had the money stripped out of his wreath in a New York minute. “What do you expect?” he quipped. “I’m a banker!”


Te chairman’s reception took place at the


Smith Collection-Museum of American Speed. A well-kept secret even to those living in Lincoln, the museum is a shrine to racing engines and the people who love them. U.S. Senate candidate Deb Fischer dropped in at the museum during the reception to meet and greet. Heidi Loop of Choice Transport emceed the


dinner that followed. She announced George Akerson of Dahlsten Truck Line as the 56th winner of the James E. Ryan Golden Deeds Award and Kay Wessel of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services as the 2012 Nebraska Trucking Woman of Distinction. Te morning of September 21 featured what


convention organizers dubbed “Awards to the Maximus!” Paul Rivers of Sterling Transportation Services read the convention registration form and noticed that a prize was offered to anyone who appeared in a toga. He delighted everyone with his costume and claimed $100 for his effort. Following the annual membership meeting,


truckers and friends headed for the golf course, the traditional closing event for the convention. Nebraska Trucking’s annual gathering in 2013 will be September 26–27 in Omaha.


(from left) george akerson checks out the details of an engine while touring with greg turner and dave shoemaker at the Museum of American Speed reception.


The business program included a general session on developing partnerships to ensure a highly skilled future workforce.


ATA Chairman dan england (center) shares some thoughts with dave Parker and Jean Kurtenbach following the keynote lunch.


14 NEBRASKA TRUCKER — ISSUE 5, 2012 — www.nebtrucking.com


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