Along the way, I began to get involved in some of the programs at TXTA. Leadership 2001 was one of the opportunities I had to share my experiences and knowledge with other emerging trucking industry managers. Similar to ELC.
Each session had networking events and expert panels made up of real trucking pro- fessionals, like JH Walker and Bob McDowell. The take-away from each event gave me a renewed excitement about our company and the trucking industry and I looked forward to each one.
I was asked to get involved in the Foundation, the Board of Directors and eventually the Executive Committee. And I agreed to get involved because it was an opportunity for me to learn the trucking industry from a dif- ferent angle. An opportunity to network with not only seasoned veterans, but also support industries such as insurance carriers, law enforcement officials, manufacturers and legal experts.
I brought that knowledge back to Giddings and that information has been instrumental in guiding Bobby Lehmann Trucking through its evolution to what we are today. Today, we are an interstate carrier specializ- ing in heavy haul and heavy lift. Primarily
Bobby Lehmann Trucking moves drilling rigs. As we continue to grow, our success is in large part due to our focus on safety, our commitment to our customers, and our dedi- cation to building our team. In parallel, the association continues to evolve. The recent rebranding to TXTA adds a level of excite- ment as we continue to focus on safety, add services and benefits to our members, and grow the membership into the finest trucking association in the country.
Over my term, we focused on building the membership, increasing member benefits, inspiring the next generation of leaders to pick up the flag and lead our industry for- ward, and building TruckPAC into the sought after endorsement in Austin, and a strong, unified voice under the dome.
On the path to success, whether it is trucking or anything, you figure out along the way that it is not only your personal measure of success that counts but also those relation- ships you make on the journey that matter the most. Not only those that help you get there, but also those you help along life’s road. Mrs. Mabry already knew that and it took me a while to get it, and my thesis was pretty typical of an 18-year old’s idea of how things should be. I didn’t take into account all the people that would help, the breaks, and
some bumps, I would get along the way. She would probably give me a C- on this paper also.
It has been an honor to have served as the chairman of TXTA. I never dreamed when writing my thesis that it would be possible for a country boy from Warda, Texas, to lead such a great association and to meet so many wonderful people, some of whom have helped me tremendously. Hopefully I will be able to reciprocate. I am most excited about our Emerging Leaders Council. With such a tal- ented group, our association is bound to con- tinue down the great track, or highway, it’s on.
In closing…thank you, John, and all the great staff at TXTA, especially you Glenna. The year went by so fast.
As to all you truckers out there, get involved, do business with a fellow TXTA member, and here is to your success. Happy truckin’!
Russell Jurk
CHAIRMAN Continued from page 9
We also have new opportunities with TruckPAC and we are looking forward to growing the membership commitment here. As we all know, a strong PAC serves the association as a whole in a magnitude of ways, especially in such an important legislative year.
We are an industry that evokes a feeling of Americana – open spaces, knights of the roads, independence, dedication and hard work We must continue to make sure our legislators and the traveling public understand that piece of Americana as well as we do I am ready for the challenge and looking forward to the work ahead.
As General MacArthur also said, “There is no substitute for victory.” That is our battle cry this year. We will succeed. We have prepared
well, creating our own luck along the way. I am confident we have many more successes to celebrate this year.
I look forward to seeing you in D.C. and in Austin for our legislative visits.
Until then, safe travels. Gary Salisbury
PRESIDENT Continued from page 11
I am reminded daily by the determination and meticulous desire of the staff we have assembled here to serve you at TXTA. As we embark on what will be the most important of all the ambitious tasks we have taken up in the years I have walked the capitol halls, I know I do so with the fervent support of the trucking industry behind me.
Gary Salisbury
TXTA Chairman Fikes Truck Line
It will take persistence, hard work, powerful allies, keen coalitions, strong partnerships like Move Texas Forward and above all thoughtful public policy. We know our repu- tation is our most valued currency, and as long as we are riding for you – we can’t lose.
John D. Esparza John D. Esparza TXTA President & CEO Winter 2015 13
Russell Jurk Past TXTA Chairman Bobby Lehmann Trucking
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