Official Magazine of the Motor Carriers of Montana


Roadwise is owned by the Motor Carriers


of Montana and is published bimonthly by Matthews PublishingGroup. For additional


copies, to order reprints of individual articles or to become a subscriber to Roadwise, contact Katie Bowlds at 406-442-6600.


publisher JENNIFER MATTHEWS


jennifer@matthewspublishing.com executive editor


BARRY “SPOOK”STANG spook@mttrucking.org


art director JON D. KENNEDY freelanceco@comcast.net


contributing writers STEVE BRAWNER SAM EIFLING


JENNIFER BARNETT REED JOHN SCHULZ TODD TRAUB


illustrator


BRENT BENNETT brentdraw@cox.net


photographers MARK BRYANT


TOMBURTCHAELL For those of you who could not attend, you missed a gala event at MCM’s 75th


Anniversary celebration. Not only was it well attended, with great breakout sessions, but we were also graced with the presence of 17 Past Presidents, who delighted the crowd with stories from the good old days. Also recognized were a number of long time MCM members who have been pioneers in the industry throughout the years. Congratulations to all of those who have survived the tough economic and regulatory conditions that persist in the industry. For those who don’t knowI was recently chosen to be the Vice Chair of the Trucking


Associations Executive Council (TAEC). TAEC is made up of all 50 state trucking associations and the ATA councils, this along with ATA form a Federation that has over 30,000 members nationwide. This group is where we share our ideas and strategize on the next steps in highway funding, how to deal with the ever burdening regulations as well as share ideas that have worked in other state associations. When you are a member of the Motor Carriers of Montana, you are also a member


of a Federation of 50 state trucking associations as well as ATA. There is no better group than MCM and this Federation to fight for the trucking community. MCM is the voice of the trucking industry in Montana, and our affiliates are the voice


executive vice president BARRY “SPOOK”STANG spook@mttrucking.org


administrative assistant KATIE BOWLDS


katie@mttrucking.org


safety coordinator JAKE SANDAU


jake@mttrucking.org


safety transportation consultant AL CALKIN


al@mttrucking.org


in every other state andWashingtonD.C. MCM offices constantly are called by carriers from other states for help with licensing,


permits and other issues they face in Montana. On the flip side MCM members also call on issues that they may have fromFlorida toWashington State and they are just a phone call away from one of 50 state associations that can help them out. I know that this is the time of year when many members may question their


investment in MCM. For less than a $1 a day where else can you get the access to 50 State Trucking Associations and the ATA conferences? This investment gives you access to drug and alcohol testing programs, telecom discounts, and MCM’s SafetyDepartment and consultants. MCM has also kicked of a new safety program available to members that will provide complete safety services at a reasonable cost to MCM Members. For less than a dollar a day you have a resource that maintains contacts at the highest


An affiliate of the American Trucking Associations


Motor Carriers of Montana (MCM) has served as the voice for Montana’s trucking industry since 1939. MCM is a trade association dedicated to the furtherance of the trucking industry’s goals and interests in Montana and the United States. Our membership is a very diverse group comprised of trucking companies, passenger carriers, garbage haulers, construction & excavation companies, and companies providing products and services to the industry. MCM serves these companies as a governmental affairs representative before legislative, regulatory and executive branches of government on issues that affect the trucking industry. The organization also provides public relations services, operation services and serves as a forum for industry meetings and membership relations.


Phone 406-442-6600 Facsimile 406-443-4281 www.mttrucking.org


For more information, contact MCM at: Motor Carriers of Montana 501N. Sanders, Suite 201 Helena, MT 59601


levels of state and federal regulatory agencies as well as working with your legislative and Congressional representatives to let them know when these agencies get out of line. If your staff at MCM does not know the answer to a question we can find someone who does. Remember MCM is a voluntary not for profit organization that is governed by a


board of directors from around the state. These directors who range from one truck owners to Montana based large companies volunteer their time and efforts to help run programs like, TruckDriver Appreciation, TruckDriving Championships, Technology and Maintenance Skills Competition, Safety and Maintenance Councils, and our very successful Share The Road Campaign. By the end of the year we should have a newFMCSA Administrator and will have


some new elected officials inWashington,DC andHelena. No telling what these new people will have in store for us but we can guarantee you that MCM and the Federation will be there for you: that’s the power of associations. Will you be fighting with us? Remember the world is run by those that show up; get involved today.


Barry “Spook” Stang


Executive Vice President, Motor Carriers of Montana spook@mttrucking.org


ROADWISE | ISSUE 4, 2014 | www.mttrucking.org 5


From the Executive VP


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