TRUCK LEASE SUPPORTS GOOD CAUSE What do Stewart Transport, RWC International and ATEF have in common?


Stewart Transportation president Collin Stewart accepts the keys to a


brand-new 2013 Navistar Lonestar from RWC International president Bob Cunningham.


BY STEVE BRAWNER Contributing Writer


A Lonestar Limited truck leased by


Stewart Transport from RWC International isn’t just hauling refrigerated food across the country. It’s also supporting a good cause. The $2,125 monthly lease payments support the Arizona Transportation Education Foundation (ATEF). Stewart Transport was the high bidder


at the ATA’s 75th Anniversary Leadership Conference and Annual Membership Meeting. The top-of-the-line truck, valued at


$155,660, features a long wheel base, a large bunk, silver fenders and dashboard chrome. “It’s more or less a show truck,” said


Collin Stewart, owner of the company leasing the rig. Stewart said he decided to bid on the


truck after learning it would be offered for auction a couple of months before the conference. He has been active in the ATA for about 10 years and thought this was a good way to support the foundation’s work. The rig is being leased on a two-year walkaway lease. Founded in 1995, Stewart Transport


has about 70 employees and 50 tractors hauling refrigerated food over the road nationwide. Most of its drivers are employees driving company-owned tractors. The company normally buys its


vehicles on a four- or five-year purchase plan and does not spec them this high. Stewart said he anticipated, correctly, that several others would bid on the truck. He ended up bidding a little more than he had planned, but he was glad to do so in order to support the foundation. “It worked out really well. I’m so proud


of RWC International and their support, and Navistar for what they’ve done,” he said. “They’re the ones that have truly stepped


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up to the plate and donated the truck. I just get to look good using it and make the payment.” The company put not only its own


decal on the side of the truck but also an ATEF logo with a notice that the truck was being sponsored by Stewart Transport and RWC International. Stewart said drivers have taken notice


of the vehicle. “It’s a pretty sharp rig, and the driver that we’ve got in it, he’s obviously pretty happy,” he said. “I’ve had several of my drivers offer their services to drive it.” The nonprofit foundation promotes


highway safety through research, education and promotional projects. It conducts educational activities and media programs about safety, such as efforts that target distracted driving. It also provides scholarships to employees of ATA member companies and their family members. This past year, five individuals each received $1,000. Phoenix-based RWC International,


which is leasing the truck to Stewart


Transport, serves both large and small fleets and sells new and used trucks as well as buses. The company received the 2011 Navistar International Circle of Excellence Award and IDEALEASE’s I.D.E.A.L. Gold Award. It is led by Robert W. Cunningham, who purchased Arizona’s International dealership and IDEALEASE locations in May 2010 and has since expanded the company to four locations, two in Phoenix and two in Tucson. According to Chrissy Borchardt,


marketing manager at RWC, “This donation was in appreciation and respect for all the efforts and value created within our industry by the Arizona Trucking Association.We also wanted to honor Karen Rasmussen and her many years of tremendous, dedicated service on behalf of the ATA.” Rasmussen recently left the ATA after


serving as president and CEO since July 2001. She now serves as president and CEO of Help Inc., the Phoenix, Ariz.-based company that offers the PrePass vehicle safety and credentialing system.


Arizona Trucking Association 2012 Post-Conference Report


PHOTO COURTESY RWC


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