PRESIDENT & CEO from the Volume 67, Number 1


Florida Truck News is owned by the Florida Trucking Association and published quarterly by Matthews Publishing Group. For subscription information, please contact the FTA at 850-222-9900.


PUBLISHER Jennifer Matthews Kidd Matthews Publishing Group jennifer@matthewspublishing.com


EXECUTIVE EDITOR Tisha Crews Keller tisha@FLTrucking.org


ART DIRECTOR Jon D. Kennedy


freelanceco@comcast.net CONTRIBUTING WRITERS


Steve Brawner, Sam Eifling, Eric Francis, Jennifer Barnett Reed, John Schulz, Todd Traub and Spencer Watson


PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Holstein


I want to begin my last message to you with two words that convey both mind and heart – Thank You. In the over seven years that I have served in the role of President/CEO of this association, with the broad range of interesting opportunities, experiences, and responsibilities that have been part of my job, it is the people I have come to know, respect, and appreciate that will be the gift I take with me.


Giving Tommy Thomas a hug when I finished driving my BIG truck in the 2007 TDC Executive Challenge, sharing the excitement and pride of the drivers and their families at the TDC awards banquet every year, working with the committed volunteers of the SMC and the TMC in developing their programs and events, watching the Florida Road Team educate students how to drive safely around big trucks – these are the moments and memories that stay with me.


FLORIDA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION


I want to thank our state and federal regulatory and agency partners for their willingness to build and advance the public/private partnerships with the FTA to improve the safety on Florida’s roadways and the efficiencies of this industry. These are people who have made a personal commitment to the importance of this outreach, and I have so appreciated working with them personally to achieve these goals.


PRESIDENT & CEO


Kenneth S. Armstrong ken@FLTrucking.org


DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Tisha Crews Keller tisha@FLTrucking.org


DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Tommy Thomas


tommy@FLTrucking.org


ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Phoebe Singletary


phoebe@FLTrucking.org


I want to thank the staff of the FTA whose talent and hard work have been critical to the many successes we have achieved over these several years. I want to thank the staff of the ATA for their valuable insights, assistance, and personal support.


Everything we have achieved is the result of a team effort, and I am very proud of the team and proud to have been a member of the team.


An affiliate of the American Trucking Associations


Florida Trucking Association (FTA) is a Florida corporation of trucking companies, private carrier fleets and businesses which serve or supply the trucking industry. FTA 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 and serves as a forum for industry meetings and membership relations. For information, contact FTA at:


For information contact FTA at: Florida Trucking Association 350 East College Avenue


For comments and questions, please email: tisha@FLTrucking.org


Drivers Legal Plan Drivers Legal Plan


Florida Truck News Q1 WINTER 2014


Tallahassee, Florida 32301-1565 Phone: (850) 222-9900 FAX: (850) 222-9363


I also want to take this opportunity to thank those individuals who spoke so eloquently and personally at my Farewell Dinner – Doc Hyder, FTA Chairman; Richard Schuler, VP Publix and FTA Past Chairman; Director Julie Jones, DHSMV; Colonel David Brierton, FHP; Doug Callaway, FDOT and Director of the Florida Washington Office; Patrick Tornwall, Jr., SMC Chairman; Tisha Crews Keller, FTA Communications Director; Herman Fauss, SMC Lifetime Member; David Dees, Former Director of FDOT OMCC; Sally Patrenos, Consultant and Former Director of the Florida Transportation Commission; Jeff Marple, President SEIDS and FTA Executive Committee Member; David Rancourt, Independent Lobbyist and former Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Southern Strategy Group; and Tommy Thomas, FTA Membership Director and TDC Chairman. John Lynch, ATA VP for Federation Relations, was held back in Washington DC by weather but with us in spirit.


There are many opportunities ahead that have been created for this association as it moves into its 80th year. I wish the FTA the best of luck, and more importantly, Godspeed.


Mary Lou Rajchel, President & CEO,


Florida Trucking Association 5


Photo: Ben Sanford


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