john@texastrucking.com
President & CEO John D. Esparza
Sr. Executive Vice President Glenna K. Bruun
glenna@texastrucking.com
Sr. Vice President, Safety & Education Lance Shillingburg
lance@texastrucking.com
Chief Financial Officer
Jesse Dominguez, CPA, CGMA
jesse@texastrucking.com
Director of Affiliate Operations Dorothy S. Brooks
dorothy@texastrucking.com Chief Operating Officer &
Director of Policy & Governmental Relations Les Findeisen
les@texastrucking.com Office Manager
ann@texastrucking.com
& Executive Assistant Ann Quass
jason@texastrucking.com
Member Services Jason Deanda
Director of Communications, Membership & Foundation Kelly Cargill Crow
kelly@texastrucking.com
The doldrums of winter have given way to excitement as the session heats things up in Texas. There is nothing like having 181 legislators in town, ready to get down to business. It brings with it an anticipation and fervor of things to come and a hope of what can be accomplished.
The Award-winning Publication of Texas Trucking Association Winter 2015
Volume 80 Number 1
The Steering Wheel is owned by Texas Trucking Association and is published biannually by Matthews Publishing Group. To request additional copies, order reprints of individual articles or become a subscriber to The Steering Wheel, please contact Glenna Bruun at 512-478-2541. To inquire about advertising, please contact the publisher at 501-907-6776.
Publisher Jennifer Matthews Matthews Publishing Group
jennifer@matthewspublishing.com Executive Editor
Glenna K. Bruun
glenna@texastrucking.com
Managing Editors John D. Esparza
john@texastrucking.com Lance Shillingburg
lance@texastrucking.com Kelly Cargill Crow
kelly@texastrucking.com Art Director Jon D. Kennedy The Freelance Co. LLC
freelanceco@comcast.net Photographers
Jon D. Kennedy
John David Pittman Tyler Schmitt
Guest/Contributing Writers Steve Brawner Thomas C. Downs John D. Esparza Scott Haywood Russell Jurk Daris D. Meeks Gov. Rick Perry
Jennifer Barnett Reed Gary Salisbury Lisa Sursavage Todd Traub
Up in Arkansas, we have enjoyed a peaceful winter and it makes me even more eager to take on all that is waiting for us this legislative season. Not only will we be visiting D.C. for the annual Call on Washington, but prepa- rations for the Trucking Day at the Texas State Capitol are in full swing.
Nationally and locally, we have a great deal to talk about. We, of course, continue to work on promoting a positive image with the Trucks Move America Forward campaign, but with new regulations and an ongoing driver shortage, we have opportunities for improvement and advancements on all fronts.
As General Douglas MacArthur, resident of Texas in his youth and a native son of Arkansas once said, “The best luck of all is the luck you make for yourself.” I truly believe that. And I feel that we have placed ourselves in the most viable position for promising outcomes. Through wise prepara- tion, diligence and focus of staff, we have laid the groundwork for 2015 to be a very lucky year for Texas trucking.
To further ensure our success, this fall, the executive committee came together and put forth a plan for the association. We refocused efforts, rooted out weaknesses and realigned energies. You might call it a re-cali- bration of vision and strategies. We came away with a plan that is challeng- ing to implement, yet realistic and one that as an executive committee we are committed to.
Texas Trucking Association (TXTA) is an affiliate of the American Trucking Associations. TXTA is a Texas corporation of trucking companies, private carrier fleets and businesses which serve or supply the trucking industry. TXTA 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, education services, operational services and serves as a forum for industry meetings and membership relations. For more information, contact TXTA at: 700 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Phone: 512.478.2541 FAX: 512.474.6494 800.727.7135
www.texastrucking.com Winter 2015 9
The association will continue to concentrate on growing and retaining membership, showing value in our many cost saving benefits and new partnerships. We will cultivate and encourage new leadership within Texas trucking through our successful programs such as the Emerging Leaders Council. We will also focus our energies on fostering critical relationships that support TXTA’s mission and goals – specifically making important connections to help resolve the driver shortage issue.
As many of you know, the TXTA Foundation made a generous $50,000 contribution to the Trucks Move America Forward campaign. With that commitment, we will lead the charge in changing the image of the indus- try. I can assure you there will be ample occasions for members to partici- pate and to join in the cause. It will take all of us working together to keep trucking’s essentiality at the forefront of the public’s view.
Continues on page 13 The Best Luck of All is the Luck You Make For Yourself
CHAIRMAN'S Message
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