2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

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Lifeliner IOWA MOTOR TRUCK ASSOCIATION & SIZE WEIGHT of the The HISTORY Issue in Iowa INSIDE: Carrier Spotlight: Daufeldt Transport, Inc. Call on Washington Golf Outing Recap Truck Driving Championships

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Cover Story: The History of the Size & Weight Issue in Iowa

Transcript of 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

Page 1: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

Lifeliner

IOWA MOTOR TRUCK ASSOCIATION

&Size Weightof the

The

HISTORYIssue in Iowa

I N S I D E :

Carrier Spotlight:Daufeldt Transport, Inc.

Call on Washington

Golf Outing Recap

Truck Driving Championships

Page 2: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

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Winter 2012 3Lifeliner

IMTA StaffBrenda Neville, CAEPresident

Don EgliDirector of Safety and Security

DeAnn MoodyOffice Manager

Phillip NicolinoMarketing Manager

Mike SpallaMembership Manager

Janelle StevensEvents/Education Manager

Our SupportersGreat West Casualty ..................... 2Boyer Petroleum .........................4-5Donaghy-Kempton Insurors ........... 6 Quality Services Corp .................... 6Central Trailer Services .................. 6Iowa Truck Services ..................... 26

IMTA Cornerstone Sponsors ......... 31Truck Country ............................. 38Northland Insurance ................... 42Hawkeye International Trucks....... 43Midwest Wheel Companies ............ 44

ArticlesChairman’s Message .........................4-5

President’s Message ..............................7

Foundation Update ............................8-9

Legislative Recap............................10-11

Call on Washington Recap ...............12-13

Legal Update .................................14-15

Carrier Spotlight- Daufeldt Transport .......................16-18

Convention Promo ..............................19

Cover Story ...................................20-23

Golf Outing Recap .........................24-25

Iowa Truck Services Update .................27

Members in the News.....................28-30

Truck Driving Championships .........32-40

Social Media Announcement ...............41

Final Word ..........................................42

20

In this Issue

9

The History of the Size & Weight Issue in Iowa

ScholarshipWinners

Truck Driving Championships32

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4 Winter 2012Lifeliner

Chairman’s MessageJeff Wangsness, JMT Trucking Company

As is typical in this industry, there is never a dull moment and the same holds true for the work of your association. If there is one thing I have gained through my role as your chairman, it is an appreciation of the scope of

activities and priorities the association staff handles on a daily basis. I have come to learn that this is in a large part due to the extremely diverse membership that we serve. IMTA has members of every size and type imaginable spanning every county in Iowa and even beyond our borders. This certainly makes for

a demanding work load and I am extremely proud of the manner in which the association serves the membership.

And it is in that same vein that I encourage you to take advantage of your membership benefits and also consider increased involvement with your association. By increased involvement I am referring to a number of things; show up for an event, write a check to the PAC, go out and recruit a member, require your vendors to be a member of IMTA, come to an educational session, follow IMTA on twitter, have your legislator come to your office and learn about our issues, look at some of the programs we offer that will save you money and support the association, pay your dues on time, add your entire staff to the list to receive all the electronic information from IMTA, participate in the annual safety and maintenance awards program, nominate

a driver for recognition, commit to having your company represented at next year’s truck driving championships or simply learn more about IMTA and become an advocate for the association. Make your support of IMTA and its efforts part of your operation’s culture and I am confident that the return on that investment will far exceed your expectations.

I have had the honor of speaking to a number of member groups and at IMTA events over the last several months and I have said repeatedly the more you put into your association….the more you will get out of it. I mean that sincerely and am a visible testament to the genuine truth of that statement. So my message today is to get involved with your association.

Jeff WangsnessIMTA Chairmanof the Board

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Winter 2012 5Lifeliner

Chairman’s Message

Every single one of us in business today face some very daunting challenges and despite our best efforts to overcome these challenges, the unified voices of many is much more effective than one voice in overcoming ongoing obstacles. We are essentially in battle each and every day and having IMTA at the battle lines with us is very effective and important. We simply CANNOT AFFORD NOT to be working together as an industry through the association to fight these ongoing challenges. And YOU and YOUR business are the top priorities of IMTA at all times.

After looking at this magazine, you will see several different opportunities for your future involvement as well as a number of other priorities that the association is tackling on your behalf. I challenge you to spend some time really looking at this publication and

you will see what your association is all about. Then I urge you to distribute this publication to others within your company so that they too can gain a better understanding of the valuable contribution IMTA makes to this industry.

IMTA is only as strong as the members that get involved and given the environment that we are all operating in these days, we need all the extra strength

we can muster. Each and every member needs to step up and get involved…and in that process, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the value you will find as a member of the Iowa Motor Truck Association.

Make your support of IMTA and its efforts part of your operation’s culture and I am confident that the return on that investment will far exceed your expectations.

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Winter 2012 7Lifeliner

The political season is now in high gear and political ads are flooding the airwaves at all levels. The importance of Iowa as a swing state is never more evident. Every congressional race in Iowa

has been placed on the “Races to Watch List” and predictions are changing daily as to which Presidential candidate is in the lead in Iowa. It is certainly once again an exciting time for all of us here in Iowa and I challenge you all to take advantage of this opportunity.

Because of the emphasis that is being placed on our state in this election, we have a very unique opportunity to really weigh in on the November elections and also become very familiar with the candidates. There is a very high likelihood that you will be able to meet the candidates, even the Presidential candidates as Iowa stops continue to fill their itineraries. All of the candidates have offices set up throughout the State and your access to legitimate and accurate information on their positions, their voting records and their priorities for this country are easily found through the internet. And if surfing the net isn’t your thing, I would suspect that you would have the opportunity to ask them personally as every candidate is out there actively campaigning.

The incumbents are not taking these races lightly. Unlike previous elections, they are acutely aware of the general sentiment among voters of all ages, races and demographics which is that a “clean slate is needed in DC”. Typically incumbents have an edge on the race and that is another unique aspect of this election, incumbents are not automatically the most popular choice because of the overall dissatisfaction with everyone in DC. Congressmen Latham, King, Braley

and Loebsack are all in danger of losing their seat because they are all viewed as part of the overall problem. Again, I would encourage you to really take the time to look at their voting records and it becomes very evident very quickly, which members of the Iowa delegation have been strong supporters of Iowa’s trucking industry and overall business in general.

I know in the past, many folks, including IMTA members have lamented that their efforts really don’t matter and I would say that a lot of folks just sit on the sidelines. We cannot afford to that this go around. This election has been characterized as one of the most pivotal elections of all time and none of us can afford to sit this one out. As Congressman Latham said at a recent event, “we owe it to our children and grandchildren to get involved, REALLY involved with this election.”

With a national debt that grows daily at a dizzying pace (according to one congressional candidate, every baby born today is already facing $50,000 in debt) and a regulatory environment that clearly illustrates the excessive involvement by the government, I would challenge you to really ponder a future under the current administration or your future under a different administration. I urge you to look back at where you were at four years ago and where you are at today. That kind of research will prove very helpful as you determine what candidates you are going to support.

Based on the feedback that I receive daily from IMTA members, the cost of the regulatory oversight that we are forced

to deal with has grown significantly over the last four years and frankly, there is no relief in sight. The number of proposed regulations that loom on the horizon for this industry alone is frightening. And we aren’t the only industry plagued by this environment, talk to your local banker, business owner, oil jobber, grocery store owner and the list goes on and on.

While we all tire of the non-stop ads and the continual yammering of the media and their insight on the elections. We all ultimately have the power to make some very dramatic changes and our efforts need to begin immediately. As an owner of a business, consider making an effort to educate your employees and encourage their involvement NOW. You can’t tell them who to vote for but you can provide opportunities for them meet the candidates and learn about the variety of issues that impact your company. You can also certainly tell them who you are supporting and why you are supporting a particular candidate. You can encourage them to get involved with a campaign and challenge them to take the time to really learn about the candidates. You can also really encourage them to vote. You can be a valuable role model in getting people to act and get engaged.

Of course, as one IMTA member quickly pointed out to me, there is the very strong risk that they may not support the candidate that you support but that is a risk worth taking in my opinion. Any involvement is better than no involvement and my guess is that this will indeed be a historic election because of the dramatic changes that will take place on all levels once the votes are counted. I also trust in the sound judgment and common sense of Iowans and I think in the end, this will be pivotal because Iowans and IMTA members will exercise that sound judgment come November 6th and some changes will be inevitable.

President’s Message - “Being Your Advocate”Brenda Neville, Iowa Motor Truck Association

Brenda NevilleIMTA President

As an owner of a business, consider making an effort to educate your employees and encourage their involvement NOW.

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8 Winter 2012Lifeliner

The Iowa Motor Carriers Foundation: The Iowa Motor Carriers Foundation is a non-profit corporation organized for the purpose of providing educational opportunities to deserving young Iowans. Scholarships awarded by the Iowa Motor Carriers Foundation are available to students majoring in any field of study. To be eligible to receive a foundation scholarship, the student must currently be enrolled or planning to enroll into a college or university located in Iowa.

Applications are available beginning on January 1 by calling the IMTA office or on the IMTA website www.iowamotortruck.com with a deadline of March 15.

Investing in Iowa’s Future

Iowa Motor Carriers FoundationInvesting in the Future of IowaSeveral Iowans pursuing higher education received a welcome financial boost when they got word that they would be receiving a scholarship from the Iowa Motor Carriers Foundation. The Foundation awarded 11 scholarships in the last several weeks to another fine group of individuals that will be enrolling in an Iowa college or university this fall.

“It is always an honor to be a part of this process and as always we received a number of really good applications. Once again it was a very difficult process to come up with the final list of scholarship winners,” said Foundation Chairman, Dave Dickey with Harold Dickey Transportation.

Scholarship applications are available beginning on January 1 of each year and the deadline to have the applications back into the IMTA office is March 15. After the deadline a selection committee reviews all the applications and makes their recommendations. The first selection committee is comprised of IMTA members. This year’s selection committee was Carl Schwab, Freightliner of Des Moines; Mick Swolley, Interstate PowerSystems; and Roger Amhof, Amhof Trucking. A second selection committee

comprised of non-IMTA members also reviewed the applications and then the combined results of both committees determined the final list of winners.

The majority of the 2012 scholarship applicants had a connection either to IMTA or the trucking industry. Scholarship checks are then distributed throughout May and June. This year the number of applications increased dramatically with almost 50 applications turned into the IMTA office. It was suggested that the increased promotion of the scholarship program and also a more aggressive approach by students in regard to scholarship applications created the increase in numbers.

“Students and their parents are much savvier when it comes to finding possible sources of financial support for college. The internet also makes it much easier for students to find the many different scholarship programs that exist. We have also increased the promotional activities for the foundation and I think this has in turn increased awareness among the membership,” said IMTA President Brenda Neville.

Foundation committee members continue to look for ways to secure financial support for the foundation and any IMTA member that is interested

in establishing a scholarship in the name of a loved one or to make a contribution to the Foundation is asked to contact the IMTA office (515) 244-5193.

Establishing a Scholarship To have a scholarship established in the name of a loved one, an endowment of $10,000 is required. At that level, a perpetual scholarship is established in the name of the loved one and is awarded on an annual basis.

For more information in establishing a scholarship in the name of a loved one, please contact Brenda Neville at the IMTA office or contact someone on the Foundation Committee.

2012 FoundationCommittee Chairman – Dave DickeyHarold Dickey Transportation, Inc.

John Minor,Midwest Wheel Companies

Jack SawyerDes Moines Transportation Co.

Jeff SimpsonMid Seven Transportation

Pat StoreyMotor-Ways, Inc.

Jeff WangsnessJMT Trucking Company

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Winter 2012 9Lifeliner

Investing in Iowa’s FutureIowa Motor Carriers Foundation Scholarship Winners

Megan Street•Cedar, Iowa•Attending Indian Hills

Community College•Major: Nursing•Bob Bannister Memorial

Scholarship

Makenzie Pick•Iowa City, Iowa•Attending University of Iowa•Major: Marketing, Sports

Studies, Journalism & Mass Communications

•L.W. “Verne” Simpson Scholarship

Alicia Long•Webster City, Iowa•Attending Central College•Major: Biology•Motor Ways, Inc. Scholarship

Dalton Brown•Knoxville, Iowa•Attending Kirkwood

Community College•Major: Diesel Truck

Technology Program•Cummins Great Plains Diesel

Scholarship

Erika Edwards•Huxley, Iowa•Attending Iowa State University•Major: Animal Science•Paul Crouse Memorial Scholarship

Nicole Baker•Stanhope, Iowa•Attending Iowa State University•Major: Education-History•Darryl Mason Memorial

Scholarship

Tylar Goddard•Chariton, Iowa•Attending Indian Hills Community

College•Major: Diesel Technology•Ziegler/Caterpillar Diesel

Scholarship

Jessica Wilson•Runnells, Iowa•Attending Iowa State University•Major: Apparel Merchandising

& Design•Iowa Council of Safety

Management Scholarship

Brooke Lunsford•Eddyville, Iowa•Attending University of Iowa•Major: Music•Harold Dickey Memorial

Scholarship

Megan Puls•Fort Dodge, Iowa•Attending Wartburg College•Major: Accounting•Midwest Wheel Companies

Scholarship

Madison Oskam•Newton, Iowa•Attending Des Moines Area

Community College•Major: Graphic Design•Towing & Recovery Professionals

of Iowa Scholarship

IMCF Scholarship Presentation – May 30, 2012. Decker Truck Line, Inc., Fort Dodge, IA Pictured L to R: Pat Storey-Motor Ways, Alicia Long-Motor Ways, Inc. recipient, Nicole Baker-Darryl Mason Memorial recipient, Megan Puls-Midwest Wheel Companies recipient, Don Egli-IMTA

IMCF Scholarship Presentation – June 26, 2012 Iowa Motor Truck Association, Des Moines, IA Pictured Front Row: Tylar Goddard-Ziegler/Caterpillar Diesel recipient, Jessica Wilson-Iowa Council of Safety Management recipient, Megan Street-Bob Bannister Memorial recipient, Makenzie Pick-Vern Simpson Memorial recipient. Back Row: Gary Handley-BTI Special Commodities, Inc., Doc Wilson-Cummins Central Power, Clark Bannister-McKenna Truck Center, Dalton Brown, Cummins Great Plains Diesel recipient, IMTA Chairman Jeff Wangsness-JMT Trucking Company

IMCF Scholarship Presentation – May 16, 2012 Harold Dickey Transport, Inc., Packwood, IAPictured L to R: Brooke Lunsford-Harold Dickey Memorial recipient, Adrian Dickey, Harold Dickey Transport

TRPI Scholarship Presentation – June 22, 2012 Barney’s, Inc., Newton, IA Pictured L to R: Darla Oskam-mother, Madison Oskam-TRPI recipient, Barney Bushore-Barney’s, Inc.

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10 Winter 2012Lifeliner

Branstad now calls for a fuel tax increaseIn early June, Governor Branstad said in an interview with Iowa Public Television, “I think next year is the year to do it.”

As everyone knows, last year at about this time the Governor appointed a study committee to come back with recommendations on how to improve our roads. No sooner had the committee announced its recommendations calling for an 8-10 cent increase in the motor fuel that the decision was made by the Governor’s office to take it off the table for 2012 session.

Governor Branstad’s recent announcement at this time is a mixed

blessing. Of course, it’s great to have the Governor out in front on the issue, however the announcement at this time almost guarantees the issue will be used by the media and the Tea Party types as a litmus test during the fall campaigns. With the large number of challenged seats, open seats and primaries, it will be difficult for candidates not to get boxed in on “no new taxes.” Add to the equation, we are losing our biggest advocates for fixing our roads with the retirement of Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Rielly and House Transportation Committee Chairman Dave Tjepkes. By our estimates, we may be losing through retirement or primaries as much as 20 percent of the legislators we had counted on voting with us in the 2012 session.

Having the Governor come out in favor of the proposal is certainly better than the alternative and we thank him for his stance on the issue, but whether it’s too little too late or serves to politicize the issues during the campaign remains

yet to be seen. Of course, the real question is who’s in charge next year and will the votes be there? Senate Republican leadership did not support the proposal this session. If the Senate goes Republican, will the new majority leaders have the courage to debate the issue? Will the House leaders, both Democrat and Republican, bring the issue up for a debate? In 2012, I think there was a good chance of passing the legislation, time will tell on 2013.

IMTA is looking forward to meeting with candidates this summer and fall and the opportunity to educate them on our issues and support those who have and will support us going forward.

Legislative Recap

2012 Legislative Session in Review I’ve been meaning to sit down and try to summarize what happened, or in most cases, what did not happen in the 2012 legislative session. I was about to go into a long dissertation about how the property tax reform failed, the gas tax failed, education reform failed, etc.

But thankfully, I came across this online blog from Miranda Meyer with the Cedar Rapids Gazette and she, in a

much shorter version than I, summed it up wonderfully.

Before the 2012 Iowa Legislature session ended last week, lawmakers approved far-reaching, landmark legislation allowing bars and restaurants to create infused liquor blends for use in cocktails.

Maybe you disagree with “landmark,” but I bet you’ve never tasted bacon-infused bourbon.

Neither have I, but it is now possible, thanks to our adventurous, thirsty legislators. That got me thinking, admittedly while drinking, what sort of cocktails did the 2012 session inspire?

A few possibilities.

The Property Tax Reform — Fill your best, most hopeful glass with a healthy pour of 34-year-old Scotch. Swirl it in the light. Admire its potent possibilities. Sniff its bouquet. Think how great it will be to finally drink it in after all these decades sitting on a shelf. Raise the glass slowly, haltingly toward your lips. Then stop. Dump it, and go home. Add several dashes of bitterness.

Education Reform Rickey — Omit the booze, mixers, garnish, ice and glass. Wait a year.

Gas Taxitini — Place good-quality gin and a hint of vermouth in a cocktail shaker with ice. Drive down an aging, crumbling Iowa roadway, shaking, bouncing and jolting vigorously. Serve in a deep pothole.

Red Rushin’ — Speed to the liquor store. Run a red light. Say cheese.

Banhattan — Mix together whatever it is these damn reckless kids are doing these days along with several shots of adult astonishment. Scowl deeply. Shake your head vigorously. Pour into the Iowa criminal code.

San-no-agree-a — Mix grudges, gripes, swipes, accusations and partisan bickering with whine. Spin. Spin some more. Serve on the campaign trail, red hot.

Dave ScottIMTA Lobbyist

Iowa GovernorTerry Branstad

Page 11: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

Winter 2012 11Lifeliner

Legislative Recap

2012 Legislative Sessionin Review On Wednesday, May 9, the 2012 Iowa Legislative session came to an end.

On the final day of session, each

of the three leaders gives a speech to the House. Below you find some excerpts from the speech that Speaker Paulson gave on the final day of the session:

I will begin by saying thank you to the members of the 84th General Assembly. Thank you for your commitment and service to the people of Iowa. Special thanks to the 18 of you choosing to retire. You will be missed not only by your friends and colleagues here at the Capitol, but moreover by the Iowans in the districts you’ve served over the years.

When the first day that the 84th General Assembly convened, I outlined to Iowans a set of goals this body would seek to achieve and principals we would follow during the course of conducting legislative business. Since that day, this body has remained focused on the issues important to Iowans and the business the people sent us here to do. We have worked hard at putting Iowans back to work and reducing the size, scope and cost of state government.

The first action we took to put Iowans back to work was to provide Iowa’s business climate with some much needed certainty and stability. For too long, Iowa employers were reluctant to invest in their operations, preventing them from hiring and expanding. They were reluctant because they constantly threatened with job-killing legislation like the repeal of our Right to Work law and Open Scope Bargaining. House Republicans put those ideas in the rear-view mirror and moved forward.

Employers were reluctant to invest in Iowa’s workforce and economy because Iowa’s budget was unstable. State government was spending more than it took in and the threat of massive tax increases to correct the problem was real and imminent.

I can report to you today we have removed those fears and Iowa’s economy is rebounding and is headed in the right direction.

When Republicans took the majority in the House, more than 110,000 Iowans were unemployed. According to Iowa Workforce Development’s latest report, 87,000 Iowans are looking for work. That number, while still too high and worrisome, is a tangible sign of progress. It is also a reminder that we can and need to continue to do better.

In the last few days, we have had the opportunity to review the changes in the state budget over the last two sessions. Frankly, it really is quite remarkable. Normally a change in law is needed to alter the budget process. But this chamber has fundamentally changed the way state government budgets because we believed it was the right thing to do. In the past, legislators, including Republicans, underfunded previous commitments, spent more than the state was taking in and used one-time money for ongoing expenses. I’m proud to say those practices have ended.

When House Republicans took charge of the state budget in January 2011, Governor Culver had signed the four largest budgets in the state history, forced a $500 million property tax increase, borrowed over $800 million, and left a $900 million spending gap for Governor Branstad and the new legislature.

House Republicans have led the way towards a healthy and accountable state budget that has measurable results for the hardworking taxpayers of Iowa. We have turned a $900 million spending shortfall into $624 million in reserves, $300 million in ending balance and $90 million in the House Republican created Taxpayer

Trust Fund. That $390 million should be returned to the taxpayers through broad-based tax relief and will be this body’s first order of business next year.

Despite skepticism, we have, at a minimum, reduced the cost of state government by $360 million a combinationof efficiencies and reprioritization.

House Republicans see it as our duty to cut out waste in government spending so our state can be more efficient and effective. A better run state government means Iowans get to keep more of their own money. Over the last two years House Republicans have persistently tackled tax relief. We sent a 20% income tax reduction to the Senate. We sent four separate and different property tax relief bills across the Rotunda; and like most bills in this chamber all four proposals received bi-partisan support. Regrettably, we could not find common ground with the Senate on these ideas.

All Iowans deserve to see tax relief. It helps Iowa’s economy and puts people back to work. House Republicans will not be deterred or be distracted from this goal. We will be back next year continuing our fight for the hardworking taxpayers of Iowa.

During session, each day I wake up thinking about how to move Iowa forward with the hard working taxpayers in mind. We have made progress for the taxpayers but our work is not done. We must continue to build upon the success of the last two years. Iowans deserve it. Thank you and God bless the great State of Iowa.

Kraig PaulsonIowa Speaker of the House

All Iowans deserve to see tax relief. It helps Iowa’s economy and puts people back to work.

Page 12: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

12 Winter 2012Lifeliner

IMTA Members Travel to DC IMTA members once again travelled to DC to wave the flag for Iowa’s trucking industry and meet with members of Iowa’s congressional delegation. In late April, a delegation of eight made the trip to the nation’s capitol. After spending an afternoon getting legislative and regulatory briefings by staffers with the American Trucking Associations, IMTA members spent the next day hitting the halls of the Rayburn, Longworth and Hart buildings, where members of congress have offices and staff. In these meetings, IMTA members discussed a number of areas of concern with the struggling economy and road funding being the hot topics. The meetings are typically very brief and in some cases, led by congressional staffers rather than the actual congressman but all members of the delegation continue to believe that these trips to DC are of value. “I have been to DC on this trip several times and while it can be frustrating in this environment, I think it is imperative that we continue to make the trip and let these elected officials know that we are watching them and that we are engaged,” said Bob Kohlwes, BTI Special Commodities and former IMTA Chairman. This year’s trip featured several IMTA members that had never been to DC and had participated in IMTA’s Leadership Program. “I thought it was extremely valuable and very educational in many ways,” said first time participant Adrian Dickey, Harold Dickey Transportation. “After participating, I have a much better understanding of the process and honestly continue to have frustration with the way things are done in DC, but it also serves as motivation to continue to be involved at this level too.” In addition to calling on members of the Iowa congressional delegation, the group also networked with other trucking executives from Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota and Arkansas. The American Trucking Association organizes the event and several state trucking associations attend at the same time.

“Every time I go out to DC, I learn something new and I realize the value of our involvement at this level. It isn’t like we go to DC and make a bunch of big changes but we certainly send the message that the trucking industry is alive and well in Iowa and we are not here just sitting out and not paying attention to what they are doing. I think that is an important message that we need to send and this annual trip just gets better every year,” said Kohlwes.

Call on Washington

Between appointments IMTA members made a visit to the World War II Memorial – pictured L-R: Jeff Wangsness, JMT Trucking, Brenda Dittmer, Weinrich Trucking, Delwin Van Wyk, Interstate Power Systems, Jeff Arens, Schuster Company, Gina Behrend, Great West Casualty Company, Brenda Neville, IMTA , Bob Kohlwes, BTI Special Commodities & Adrian Dickey, Harold Dickey Transportation.

One of the priorities of the trucking groups that were in DC was to distribute as many “I LOVE TRUCKS” pins – here is one of the waiters that served the Iowa group proudly displaying his love of trucks.

Bike Taxis have become very popular in DC, here is a bike taxi driver trying to convince the group to experience this energy efficient transportation. Unfortunately, there were no takers among the Iowa delegation.

Bob Kohlwes, BTI Special Commodities & Delwin Van Wyk, Interstate PowerSystems

IYTrucks

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Winter 2012 13Lifeliner

Call on Washington

Call on Washington Trip After some consideration, I decided to make the trip to DC with other IMTA members. This is the second year I have went with the group. Like everyone, I debated on making the trip because I have

many obligations at work and at home and frankly was not sure I wanted to take the time to go to DC.

However, after some consideration, I determined that if everyone made that choice, the system would be in a bigger mess than it is currently and I was genuinely interested in seeing the process firsthand. I was equally interested in hearing what our congressmen had to say too, because like almost everyone today, I have grown frustrated and disillusioned with the entire political environment. So I signed on to go with the IMTA group to DC again this year.

Fortunately the trip as a whole was a much more positive experience than I had anticipated. As I experienced on my first trip to DC, seeing and feeling the shear historical presence of this unique area was in and of itself a great value. To think as we walked through the same halls of the United States Capitol that our country’s founders had walked through was extremely powerful and moving. To see the many monuments that honor our forefathers as well as the men and women that fought for our freedom was an equally riveting experience.

But beyond the typical buzz of a city that often accompanies a popular tourist attraction; I found the time we spent learning about the issues and speaking with our congressman or their staffers to be highly rewarding. Unfortunately the reward was not in what we heard from

these elected officials but rather in being part of a process that is the foundation of our political system. A process whereas people like you and I can still reach out to our elected officials and have a conversation. I certainly believe that the system is somewhat broken on the Federal level and DC politics can easily be described as “dysfunctional” in a lot of ways. In fact, one of our congressmen coined the term “dysfunctional” in describing politics in DC. But this trip renewed my pride in the basic democratic process, whereas I do have a voice and I do have the power to make change in the personnel that are representing me in DC. That power will be exercised on November 6.

However, in the meantime, I have come to realize after going to DC with the IMTA group that not only as an individual, a US citizen and an Iowan, but also as a part of a very important industry, that we simply have to make the effort to wave the flag in Washington on a regular basis. Our elected leaders in DC have to know that we are engaged and very aware of what is going on out there. In most cases we are not going to like what is coming out of DC but that is still no excuse to simply sit on the sidelines and not participate. As truckers, we have a great story to tell. We move this economy and we are an effective and powerful voice. Not only is it important that we let our voice be heard on the state level, but it is equally important that we be heard on the national level as well. Going on this trip with IMTA is the perfect opportunity to voice our concerns, our frustrations, our anger and also our support.

While we all left DC with a higher level of frustration than when we arrived, we also agreed that the alternative to this system of governing, is by far much more undesirable and that we must always make it a priority to be involved and engaged in this sacred political process. I look forward to going back with the IMTA group and would encourage all IMTA members to consider joining on this trip as well.

There was picture perfect weather when the IMTA delegation was in DC. Here is a shot of the United States Capitol that was taken as the group was walking to appointments.

As truckers, we have a great story to tell. We move this economy and we are an effective and powerful voice. Not only is it important that we let our voice be heard on the state level, but it is equally important that we be heard on the national level as well.

Delwin Van WykInterstate PowerSystems

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14 Winter 2012Lifeliner

Legal UpdateScheldrup Blades is a full-service law firm with offices in Cedar Rapids, West Des Moines, Omaha and Phoenix. Its attorneys represent clients throughout Iowa, eastern Nebraska and the Midwest in all types of litigation and employment related matters, including assistance in developing preventative programs and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. Scheldrup Blades’ attorneys regularly present at educational seminars to groups at local, state and national levels as part of the firm’s commitment to public education.

Neal v. Annett Holdings and Suitable Work: What Does it Mean for Your Light-Duty Program?

In March 2012, the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling in Neal v. Annett Holdings, Inc. seemingly invalidated a centralized light-duty program that has been in place for

nearly 20 years with respect to a workers’ compensation claimant who lived approximately 400 miles away from the site of the program, primarily because the Court deemed that an unreasonable distance to require a injured worker to travel. However, a strongly-worded and well-supported dissent provides hope that the Court may reconsider its decision at some point in the future upon the presentation of a slightly different fact pattern. In addition, language in both the majority opinion and the dissent provides employers with centralized modified work programs the possibility of continuing their light-duty programs with some modifications in order to avoid the significant expense of scrapping them altogether. The following pages provide an analysis of the issues raised by this important decision, and a preview of possible solutions to the perceived roadblocks that it presents for over-the-road trucking companies who have benefited from centralized modified work programs.

Background of the caseClaimant Tim Neal, a flatbed over-the-road truck driver for Annett Holdings, was injured in the course of his employment on September 13, 2007. While securing tarps on his payload, he suffered an injury to his shoulder; an MRI scan showed a partial full thickness tear. Neal was released to return to work with restrictions preventing him from resuming his over the road driving duties. At the time of Neal’s injury, Annett Holdings had a centralized light-duty program located at its headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, some 387 miles from Neal’s home of Grayville, Illinois. As part of this program, Annett Holdings offered employees lodging while in Des Moines and transportation to return home every other weekend. It also offered on-site physical therapy, fitness and examination rooms, and a swimming pool for rest and recuperation. Upon Neal’s release to modified work status, Annett Holdings extended him a temporary light-duty position at its headquarters. For reasons that were “multiple and unclear”, Neal declined this offer, and Annett Holdings responded by terminating his weekly workers’ compensation benefits as allowed under Iowa Code Section 85.33(3).

Neal subsequently filed an arbitration petition against Annett Holdings with the Iowa Worker’s Compensation Commissioner seeking workers’ compensation benefits. The hearing deputy who initially heard the case held that the light-duty work offered Neal constituted “suitable work” under Iowa Code Section 85.33(3), which reads, in pertinent part,

(i)f an employee is temporarily, partially disabled and the employer … offers … suitable work consistent with the employee’s disability the employee shall accept the suitable work, and be

compensated with temporary partial benefits. If the employee refuses to accept the suitable work with the same employer, the employee shall not be compensated with temporary partial, temporary total, or healing period benefits during the period of the refusal.

(Emphasis added.) While the deputy commissioner acknowledged that the location of the offered light-duty work was a significant distance from Neal’s home, he found “nothing about the light duty work itself (appeared) unsuitable [to Neal] other than the location in Des Moines”. However, another deputy, acting in the stead of the Commissioner on review by delegation of authority, determined that Annett Holdings’ light-duty program did not offer “suitable work” to Neal simply because “being away from the support of your family, especially while recovering from a serious work injury, is not an insignificant matter.” On judicial review, the District Court ruled that the acting commissioner misinterpreted the requirements of Iowa Code Section 85.33(3):

The statute does not define “suitable work” in terms of its location; rather, “suitable work is that which is “consistent with the employee’s disability.” (Citations omitted.) Here…there is no indication that the work offered by Annett Holdings did not comply with Neal’s work restrictions. …Furthermore, the facts do not show that the work was unsuitable. …In sum, there is no indication that temporarily working and living in Des Moines would pose physical or economic issues for Neal.

The Majority Opinion: Suitable Work and Distance From HomeNeal appealed the district court’s ruling which was retained by the Iowa Supreme

Sasha L. MontheiScheldrup Blades

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Winter 2012 15Lifeliner

Legal UpdateCourt. Writing for a four-person majority, Justice Appel noted first that the presence of the phrases “suitable work” and “consistent with the employee’s disability” in Section 85.33(3) strongly indicates that “suitable work” and “consistent with the employee’s disability” are two separate requirements, and acknowledged that nowhere in Iowa’s workers’ compensation statutes is the phrase “suitable work” defined. Justice Appel further noted that many states expressly require the consideration of the location of work in determining an employee’s eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits, and that other jurisdictions have permitted the consideration of distance in the absence of explicit legislative direction. Finally, he identified parts of Iowa law where the phrase “suitable work” was defined to include consideration of distance from available work outside of the workers’ compensation context. After due consideration, Justice Appel determined that the distance between an employee’s residence and the location of light-duty work was a consideration to be accounted for in determining whether an employer has offered “suitable work” for purposes of Iowa Code Section 85.33(3), and therefore summarily approved the final agency decision finding Annett Holdings’ offer of light duty work to Neal was not suitable. Justice Appel noted that “no evidence in the record (establishes) that Neal agreed as a condition of employment to any relocation that Annett Holdings might require.”

The Dissent: A More Nuanced Approach to Suitable WorkWriting for a three-member dissent (which included Chief Justice Cady), Justice Mansfield began by noting that many employers in Iowa are trucking

operations, and that while “they are a vital part of our economy and workforce…(that) workforce…may be scattered in different locales.” He then proceeded to a discussion of why he and his fellow Justices who joined the dissent felt that the majority had incorrectly applied the relevant law to the facts of the case.

With regard to the underlying agency decision, Justice Mansfield rejected the acting commissioner’s findings:

Without addressing the specific circumstances of the case, the commissioner simply decided that an employee who is rehabilitating from a workplace injury should not be expected to spend any increased amount of time away from home, even on a temporary basis. This approach makes it difficult to have a centralized program. It also disregards the specific facts of this case, where the employee was an over-the-road trucker whose work already took him overnight away from home, except on weekends.

However, Justice Mansfield felt that in overruling the agency’s consideration of distance in defining “suitable work”, the District Court had gone “too far in the opposite direction”. Implicitly approving Justice Appel’s contention that the phrases “suitable work” and “consistent with the employee’s disability” in Iowa Code Section 85.33(3) are two separate requirements, Justice Mansfield did not agree with the District Court’s reading of the statute to mean that “suitable work” merely meant “work consistent with the employee’s disability.”

Nor did Justice Mansfield agree with the reasoning of his colleagues in the majority. While he repeatedly acknowledged that “geographic proximity

is a factor to be considered”, he expressed that “it is not the same kind of factor in every employment context”:

Geography has a different significance in different situations. I would hold that “suitable work” for purposes of Iowa Code § 85.33(3) may require the employee to travel temporarily so long as the work is offered in good faith to meet the needs of the company and the travel is at the employer’s expense.

In conclusion, Justice Mansfield decried the notion that distance alone should constitute the sole ground for deeming an offer of light-duty work “unsuitable”:

Where an Iowa employer comes up with a seemingly logical plan to give its injured employees useful tasks while helping them recover from their injuries, that plan should not be dismissed out of hand simply because it will take the employee temporarily away from home at the employer’s expense.

ConclusionThe Iowa Supreme Court’s decision in Neal v. Annett Holdings is a significant blow to the interests of employers with a diversely located work force who wish to establish centralized light-duty programs for employees injured on the job. Nevertheless, the opinion provides some guidance for the tailoring of light-duty programs to conform to this new decision, and resulting hope that employers will be able to continue utilizing the substantial benefits afforded by centralized light-duty programs.

1. Attorney, Scheldrup Blades Schrock Smith Aranza P.C., 225 2nd Avenue SE, Ste. 200, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406. Special thanks to Ben Bickel, a talented litigation specialist with the firm, for his generous assistance in drafting this article. 2. ___ N.W.2d ___, 2012 WL 676991 (Iowa 2012).3. The reasons given by Neal for declining the light duty work offer included “a cell phone mix-up”, a belief that certain aspects of the offered work constituted “snitching” on his fellow employees, the fact that he would return home only every other weekend rather than every weekend (as he was accustomed to while working full duty), and that Annett Holdings “aggravated (him)” in subsequent communications. Id. at ___ (slip op. at

12-13).

4. Iowa Code § 85.33(3) (2012).5. Neal, ___ N.W.2d at ___ (slip op. at 2). See also Id. at ___ (slip op. at 13) (“(T)he commissioner cited only one reason why the offered light-duty work was not suitable – because Neal would be home every other weekend rather than every weekend.”)6. Id. at ___ (slip op. at 5).7. Michigan, Nevada and Oregon each require the consideration of distance of suitable work in workers’ compensation disputes. Alabama, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia have

all permitted the consideration thereof. Id. at 5-7.8. Id. at ___ (slip op. at 7). See, e.g., Iowa Code § 96.5(3)(a)(1) (“In determining whether or not any work is suitable for an individual, the department (of unemployment compensation) shall consider the distance of the available work from the individual’s residence”); Iowa Admin. Code r. 871-24.24(15)(g) (“In determining what constitutes suitable work, the department shall consider, among other relevant factors distance from the available work”).9. Justice Appel’s approval of the acting commissioner’s reasoning constituted one paragraph out of seven pages which primarily concerned itself with the appropriateness of utilizing distance from work as

one factor out of many in assessing the suitability of said work. Id. at ___ (slip op. at 9).10. Id.11. Id. at ___ (slip op. at 14).12. Id.13. Id. Justice Mansfield went on to note that “if the two modifiers meant the same thing, there would be no need to include both of them.” See also Iowa Code § 4.4(2) (establishing a presumption that the entire text of a statute should be given effect).14. Id. at ___ (slip op. at 15).15. Id. at ___ (slip op. at 16).

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Muscatine, Iowa

About our Founder – Harvey DaufeldtHarvey Daufeldt’s mother died of cancer when he was only 14 years old. It was during the Depression and he had to quit school to help his dad with the farm. As the Depression worsened, he had to leave the farm to find work elsewhere and it was from these experiences that Harvey Daufeldt established a work ethic that would be a dominant force throughout his entire life. For the next several years, he found work on other farms for room and board only during the winter months and for $35-$40 a month during the planting and harvesting season.

Eventually, he heard of a job at Charles Hermann Trucking of Pleasant Prairie, Iowa. He drove a 1935 Ford ton and a half straight truck to pick up eggs and chickens from the area farmers. From

there he graduated to driving a 1939 Ford semi to Chicago hauling around 30 -40 cases of chickens (3 dozen to a case) to Fulton Street market.

After business slowed there, he got a job at Horn Bros of Durant, IA driving a 1938 Dodge semi hauling livestock to the Chicago Stockyards. While he really enjoyed his work at Horn Brothers he made a decision in February 1942 to go back to farm work. But then a few months later he was called to duty and served in World War II. While serving in Iran in WWII Harvey drove trucks as the armed services built roads in Iran.

In November 1945, Harvey arrived back in the United States and $2000 in his pocket. While serving he had made it a priority to save money and he did just that. Upon his arrival back to the States he began a partnership with his brother-in-law. And his official entry into trucking came about when he purchased a 1945 GMC truck for $4000.00 which had been left over from the Navy. He then began hauling livestock to Chicago and Dubuque and also seed corn for a Pioneer Seed Corn plant in Durant, IA. He and his brother-in-law were now officially in the trucking business.

History of Daufeldt Transport, Inc.Two and a half years later Harvey had the opportunity to go into business for himself by purchasing a transport company in Muscatine, IA for $4500.00. This equipment consisted of a 1940 4000 gallon Fruehauf trailer and a 1944 White tractor. His wife Helen took the phone orders and bookkeeping while raising 3 children.

In those days he could scale 2500 gallons of gas at a rate of .00424 to Muscatine for $10.60. Soon after he traded that trailer for a 5300 gallon Bradley trailer to raise

Carrier Spotlight

DaufeldtTransport, Inc.

Helen and Harvey Daufeldt – 1990

(L-R) Harvey Daufeldt, PJ Daufeldt and Jeff Daufeldt – 1977

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Carrier Spotlight

his take home pay to $22.47 per load.

In 1950, with one truck and one trailer he was working primarily for Paraland Oil Company, even putting their name on the side of his trailer. The word of Harvey’s good service had quickly spread and other oil jobbers were approaching him about hauling their products. Because of this increased demand by other jobbers, he removed the Paraland name from his trailer. Paraland then gave him 30 days to put their name back on his trailer or he would be banned from their terminal. He would not give in and was banned from the terminal which forced him to grow his business in many other ways and because of his reputation, many of the former Paraland accounts ended up leaving Paraland to follow Harvey. In 1953, Harvey purchased his first new tractor, a 1953 White Mustang and the business was poised to move to the next level.

By 1955, they were up to 3 outfits hauling petroleum products. Shortly after that 3 more outfits were purchased - model 450 Internationals with 6500 gallon tankers. In the 1960’s they began purchasing International 2000 Fleetstar diesels and 8000 gallon Fruehauf trailers and the company was in a mode of growth. The 1970’s saw the first Kenworth purchases and marked growth into fertilizer and

liquid feed hauling business. It was also at this time (1971), that Harvey’s son, Jeff, became involved in the business. By the early 1980’s the company was up to 8 tractors, 6 petroleum trailers and 4 stainless steel feed and fertilizer trailers and the operation continued to be highly respected and regarded by customers and competitors. By 1985, Jeff had moved into the position of running the company and a new a partnership with Grain Processing Corporation was formed.

By 1992, the fleet had grown to 12 tractors and 17 trailers. It was that same year that the company and the industry mourned the loss of Harvey, a trucker that had certainly blazed his own trail and had left a legacy that still exists today.

In 1998, the company celebrated 50 years of being in business and the hallmark of this milestone was the addition of a new shop and corporate headquarters. Another milestone for the company was the addition of two more employees, Jeff’s two sons, PJ and Adam had joined the company and Daulfeldt Trucking now celebrated three generations of involvement and leadership.

With the advent of the ethanol industry, Daufeldt discovered another niche which was another springboard of growth which created a fleet of 35 tractors and 42 trailers. Today the company still maintains the stellar reputation that was started by

its founder and they specialize in hauling petroleum products, fuel grade ethanol, industrial and beverage alcohol, liquid corn products, caustic soda, lignin and fertilizer.

In 2011, Daufeldt purchased a truck repair and parts sales business located across the street from their facility in Muscatine and named it Daufeldt’s Truck & Trailer. Adam is now the general manager of this facility and P.J. is the general manager of Daufeldt Transport, Inc. Like so many other Iowa based companies, Daufeldt is truly shining example of a successful family operation.

When asked about the secret to their success, a simple philosophy has been the compass of this company since its early roots and that is company owners would never ask any of the employees to do something that they would not do themselves. This cornerstone of their management principle was created by the founder Harvey Daufeldt and has been passed down generation after generation.

Jeff cites his most rewarding aspect of the family business is to see the 3rd generation taking over the operations as well as the upcoming 65th anniversary in 2013. “You just do not see a lot of trucking companies that are able to stay in business that long and it really brings me a great deal of pride,” said Jeff.

Jeff Daufeldt getting ready to move a truck for service – 1971

(BR – LR) Greg Gosset, Adam Daufeldt, Jeff Daufeldt, PJ Daufeldt (FR – LR) Jill Roby, Jenifer Gosset, T-Ray Anderson, Whitey

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Carrier Spotlight

Like any successful business, the key to that success lies in the folks that have been the loyal employees of the company and Daufeldt has many long time employees that have contributed to their ongoing success. Of the 38 current employees, there is a full time driver, Harold Wells, who has been with the company 40 years and three other drivers with close to or over 20 years of service. (Keith Suhr, semi retired, 38 years; Jeff Harsch, full time, 27 years and Kyle Bermel, full time, 19 years) The shop foreman, Greg Gosset, has been with the company 32 years and his wife, operations manager Jenifer, has been with Daufeldt for 31 years.

“We simply could not have obtained this ongoing success if it weren’t for the outstanding employees we have. We have been very fortunate to have so many great employees over the years,” said Jeff. In addition to a great group of employees, the company has also maintained many of the same customer and shippers over the year and together they have all grown together and been successful.

“Flexibility has been another key to our success. We want to provide such good service that the customer feels that they have their own trucks. We are who our customer’s customer sees and we want to be great reflection of our customer

and that has always been a number one priority,” said Jeff.

Like all trucking companies, Daufeldt Trucking has felt the challenges of increased regulations and securing good, hard working drivers. In addition, the fate of the ethanol industry is also something that is monitored closely. Because of these issues, Daufeldt is always looking for ways to diversify their operations, so that their ongoing success is not based on that of one customer or one product.

Daufeldt Trucking is happy to support the IMTA. “We have safety awards dating back to 1976, so our membership goes back at least that long. We joined so that we had representation in Des Moines, someone looking out for us. We left membership for a period in the late 90’s or early 2000’s, but have been back for the past 3 or 4 years. We are happy again to know that we are paying our part for all the work the IMTA does to look out for all the trucking companies in our state,” said Jeff. Daufeldt employees also take part in IMTA seminars and view them as a great value as well as the ongoing

updates that they receive from IMTA.

Daufeldt Trucking is another shining example of the power of a family operation built on simple and ethical business principles that attract great customers, great employees and ongoing success.

“We have worked very hard to get to where we are today and we are proud of all the employees and customers that have helped us reach these important milestones. We are also equally confident that with the business principles that are in place and the folks we have working with us to ensure that these principles remain the top priority that we will be around for another 65 years!” said Jeff.

Jeff Daufeldt, PJ Daufeldt, and Adam Daufeldt before a parade – 1981

In 1998, the company celebrated of being in business and the hallmark of this milestone was the addition of a new shop and corporate headquarters.

50 years

Harvey loading at the old Phillips Terminal, Bettendorf, IA – early 1950s

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LifelinerBy: Brenda Neville IMTA President

FEATURE

In the last Iowa Trucking Lifeliner, we published the first part in a two-part series of the size and weight issue. In this issue, we have outlined the history of this issue, which has been alive and well since the beginning of IMTA’s existence in 1943. The timeline below illustrates the number of different directions this issue has taken throughout the course of history in Iowa and we are hopeful that it will give some tremendous insight and historical perspective to this very important yet controversial issue.

>>>1943 On January 22, 1943, the Iowa Motor Truck Association held its first Board of Director’s meeting at the Hotel Kirkwood in downtown Des Moines. The purpose of the meeting was to lay out its legislative priorities. In the minutes, it is stated that “The truck weight bill was determined to be the most important priority.” The Governor had issued a proclamation in support of the 18,000-pound axle weight law and the IMTA Board of Directors were in full support of the proclamation and used it as its primary membership recruitment tool at the time.

>>>1945 In 1945, Iowa Governor Blue signed House File 243 into law and it was touted as modernizing limitations on truck size and weight. IMTA members were on hand for the signing and again used this legislation as a springboard for recruitment. In several editions of the “Motor Truck News” articles and editorials talked about the size, length and weight of trucks. Throughout the next decade, there continued to be discussions regarding “modernization” and “productivity” in the trucking industry and by the late 1950s, the size and weight issues was once again heating up on the national level.

Similar to the legislation that was proposed in January 2012, each state was given the right to decide what weight they would allow on the interstate highways passing through their state. In the early 1960s, the IMTA lobby led by IMTA Executive Director Roy Crowley started working on getting longer and heavier trucks. The campaign was kicked off to increase maximum legal length of a truck combination from 60 feet to 65 feet.

>>>1967 “Sixty-five-foot doubles would help hold the line on transportation costs and would reduce traffic congestion,” said IMTA Executive Director Roy Crowley in an article that appeared in the Des Moines Register in February 1967. For the next decade, a very public battle was waged against the trucking industry and its desire for heavier trucks in the Des Moines Register.

“It is a time of great dissension among the legislators and the trucking industry,” said Crowley at the 1966 December Board meeting. By March 1967, a bill passed in the Iowa House to allow for 65 feet trucks. Despite the fact that it passed in the house, many legislators were quick to share their opinion.

“The longer the truck is the safer it is? Let’s go to 80 feet or 90 feet. If a little is good,

a lot is much better. Let’s go to 80 feet and get four times as much safety,” said Legislator Ralph McCartney (R-Charles City) in a very sarcastic tone to the Des Moines Register on March 8, 1967. He said that big trucks were a tremendous danger to the people and the families traveling on the roads all over Iowa.

The bill then moved to the Senate and passed on March 8, 1967, and was sent to Governor Harold Hughes. A short lived celebration ensued at the IMTA offices as board members and Crowley felt they had been very successful in getting the bill passed in both the House and the Senate. However, the bill became very controversial overnight. While Governor Hughes considered his action on the bill, the Iowa Senate recalled the bill after rumors of a veto leaked out of the Governor’s office. Eventually the bill was defeated in the Senate after a very contentious battle and by April 17, 1967, the issue was dead once again.

The Des Moines Register ran a story the following day and blasted the “powerful truck lobby for once again trying to pass legislation that would put the safety ofevery Iowan at risk.” Register reporter George Mills wrote, “Both houses had previously passed the bill giving 65-foot

Size Weight

of the

The

HISTORY

Issue in Iowa

&

20 Lifeliner

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Winter 2012 21Lifeliner

The History of the Size and Weight Issue in Iowadouble bottom trucks unlimited use of the highways but Governor Hughes threatened a veto of the bill unless it was recalled to add some restrictions on the trucks and the specific roads they traveled. The Governor got the attention of legislators and finally they all came to their senses and killed this crazy legislation.”

At the same time this legislative battle was going on in Iowa, “triple bottoms consisting of three trailers each 27 feet long were being tested on toll roads in Ohio and Indiana with continued good results and no noticeable threat to the safety of general motoring public,” was the copy in an article in the June 1967 Issue of Overdrive magazine. In that same magazine a scathing story ran entitled, “Irresponsible Iowa Newspaper Joins Ignorant Iowa Legislators in Campaign of Lust for Money!”. The article gained national attention and Iowa was repeatedly blasted for not being more proactive in support productivity.

>>>1968 The fight was not only going on in Iowa, many states were suffering some of the same consequences within their own respective state legislatures and another fight was brewing in Washington DC. In 1968, GOP Presidential candidate Richard Nixon was campaigning in California and he stated in several campaign speeches, “that Congress should postpone action on pending legislation to permit larger trucks on the interstate highways.” He said that “he would instead order a hard study of the subject if elected President,” and the study would “make certain that the interests of the traveling public and also the maximum life of our valuable highways are fully protected and preserved.”

After years of legislative defeats, the IMTA and other interested associations proposed that the Iowa Highway Commission be charged with determining the size and weight of trucks. In the summer of 1968, a proposal to allow oversize vehicles up to 70 feet long and 11 feet, 9 inches wide could regularly travel designated routes on Iowa’s Interstate system. The Highway Commissioner at the time, Mr. Harry Bradley was in favor of the proposal and said that “he wanted to give the oversize vehicles even more freedom to use the interstates.”

These comments and the work of the Highway Commission then became

under intense scrutiny and the battle and debate over big trucks intensified. The State Republican Chairman at the time was Jack Warren, who also ran Warren Transportation and his close ties to Bradley and the Highway Commission were publicly denounced in the Des Moines Register. It was reported in numerous articles that Warren Transportation also was the largest operator of that kind with oversized vehicles and held 191 annual permits for operating oversize vehicles. However, by that fall, the Highway Commission accepted preliminary approval that would let the Intestates be used by extra-large trucks. The new regulations would permit: *Vehicles up to 70 feet long and nearly 12 feet wide to regularly travel designated routes on the interstate *Vehicles up to 80 feet long to use Interstates in “special or emergency” situations. *Mobile homes to use the Interstates for entering or leaving the state or to bypass urban areas

The controversial regulations and the action of the Highway Commission came under intense fire and eventually it was ruled that the commission did not have the authority to issue these types of regulations and rules and the battle continued in the legislature. Governor Harold Hughes, vetoed a bill that would have given the Iowa Highway Commission the power to allow bigger trucks through special permits.

>>>1969 & 1970 For the next two years, legislation was introduced and defeated as Governor Robert Ray fought a visible battle against Iowa’s trucking industry, often times being played out in with huge headlines on the front page of the Des Moines Register. IMTA implemented a strong grassroots effort aimed at educating the public with hopes of getting legislative support for bigger trucks.

>>>1974 In a fact sheet that was distributed to all members of the Iowa legislative in January 1974, 12 facts about bigger trucks were highlighted with fact No. 3 being highlighted and underlined.

“Iowa is the only state west of the Mississippi that does not yet permit the preferred and recommended 65 feet twin trailers. Iowa is the only state in the nation at 60 feet.”

On March 3, 1974, Governor Ray once again vetoed the long-truck bill and the Des Moines Register ran a long article slamming Iowa’s trucking industry for its support of increasing the legal length of double bottoms to 65 feet. The Governor was quoted as saying, “it posed a significant safety threat and hazard and would be of little benefit to the State of Iowa.” He further went on to condemn legislators for pursuing a course that would benefit only a few Iowa based companies while providing an even greater benefit to out of state firms at the expense of all Iowa citizens.” The Governor continued to blast the industry and bigger trucks in a 4 page, single spaced veto message covering his opposition in detail. He concluded the letter by saying “he had never been very impressed with the arguments of those that claimed this was the right thing to do and that this issue was not really about modernization and productivity.”

>>>1975 By 1975, the focus had shifted from truck size to the threat of deregulation within the trucking industry. This too proved to be a very divisive issue and it was the main focus of attention for the next several years.

>>>1978 By February 1978, the trucking industry in Iowa decided to take another run at it and once again started to engage in a full court press on the issue. IMTA had a new Executive Director, Charles Ingersoll and IMTA Chairman of the Board, Bill Weinrich made the truck size issue his main focus. He and the staff developed a campaign entitled, “Increased Truck Productivity – It’s Good for Iowa”. The campaign was implemented in February 1978. Another aggressive grassroots effort was underway. Board members from across the state reached out to legislators and IMTA members about the campaign. TV ads and Radio advertising was purchased. Board member Vern Simpson, with Mid Seven Transportation, was chairman of the IMTA public relations bureau and he set up a speakers bureau and had truckers speaking to any and all groups that would listen to IMTA members.

>>>1980 The efforts of PR and member outreach paid off and on March 20, 1980, a special bulletin went out to all IMTA members stating, “Iowa Governor Robert Ray today signed HF 747 (IMTA weight bill) into law. The act becomes

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The History of the Size and Weight Issue in Iowaeffective 15 days after it is published in two newspapers.”

The provisions of the monumental legislation were: 1. Axle weights – 34,000 tandems &

20,000 singles2. Maximum gross weight – 80,000

pounds3. Tolerances in axles & gross weight –

none.4. Table “B” Bridge formula applies5. Road Restrictions – none other than are

currently by law6. Combination length – Tractor & Semi-

trailer 60 feet7. Semitrailer length – 45 feet with

distance between kingpin and center of the last axle may not exceed 40 feet

a) The 45-foot semi-limitation does not apply to combinations transporting livestock or by self-propelled industrial and construction equipment or “semi-trailers” of auto transporting equipment.b) Semi longer than 45 feet may be operated if they are 1980 or older models and a special permit is obtained from the Iowa DOT

8. Implementation – The Iowa DOT will issue permits effective from date of issue through December 3, 1980. The increased fee will be prorated for the remaining part of the year.

9. The five percent tolerance remains in effect.

In the May Iowa Trucking Lifeliner, the new legislation was highlighted and IMTA President Chuck Ingersoll praised Governor Ray for finally signing the weight bill into law and then IMTA Chairman of the Board Skip Haas encouraged members to send letters to their legislators and the Governor thanking them for their support. Skip Haas also thanked the IMTA members for staying diligent in this effort that had spanned several decades. But even the victory of this success was short lived and overshadowed as deregulation was taking center stage and continued to be the main focus of discussion and debates until the mid 1980s when deregulation became a reality.

>>>1990 By the late 1980s, size and weight issues were once again being discussed. In 1990, the IMTA Board of Directors adopted the following policy in regard to size and weight of trucks. “Should Congress act to allow increased

lengths and weights and other states in our region act, IMTA will seek adoption of configurations deemed most advantageous to Iowa carriers thereby guaranteeing regional equity. In preparation of this effort, IMTA should begin an educational effort aimed at members and opinion makers in government, media and regulatory agencies.” This policy was re-affirmed through 2004. From 2004 until today, the policy remains in place although it has not been actively discussed at board meetings since 2003.

>>>1994 In 1994, IMTA board members started to discuss the elimination of the size and weight chart for non-interstate roads. The Federal maximum size and weight laws were increased to allow 80,000 pounds gross weight, engineers from the Iowa DOT successfully negotiated a more restrictive axle weight limit for non-interstate highways in Iowa. Operating under two different weight charts was confusing and difficult at best and costly at worst.

>>>1995 The IMTA Board of Directors adopted a policy in support of eliminating the weight restrictions for non-interstate highways and bring the rest of the state’s roads up to Federal standards. There was no state legislative action taken on the elimination of weight restrictions on non-interstate highways.

>>>1996 The IMTA Board of Directors adopted a policy to oppose additional tri-axle weight over 80,000 pounds. The Iowa DOT set up a task force to discuss truck size and weight on non-interstate roads. Several organizations within the state, including IMTA were asked to serve on the task force. The task force identified the following areas of interest to the task force; single bridge formula, weight limitation on tires, gross vehicle weigh greater than 80,000 pounds; axle weights, construction off-road equipment, implements of husbandry and permits.

>>>1998 Legislation passes in Iowa that allows for increased weight for livestock haulers on non-interstate highways. The legislation allowed for 90,000 pounds on six axles and up to 96,000 pounds on seven axles. IMTA had a division within the association that represented livestock haulers and division leaders and division members were supportive of the legislation. However, this

legislation triggered dissension among other segments of the association that wanted increased weights.

>>>2003 Harvest season each year for the past several years had generated calls from farm groups to allow greater gross weight on Iowa highways for those specifically hauling grain. Both Governor Branstad and Governor Vilsack had granted heavier loads through Executive orders. In 2003, the current administration, Governor Vilsack, through an Iowa DOT proposal, would like to extend a permanent gross weight increase of ten percent to those hauling grain for the period of September 1 through December 31 of each year. The IMTA Board supported this proposal; however it failed to get the support it needed. The position of support was reaffirmed in 2004 and 2005, but the legislation never passed.

>>>2009 Increased size and weight was discussed at the IMTA Board Meeting with the following information distributed: Weight limits on the country’s interstate system were raised to their current levels in 1974 (20,000 pounds per axle, 34,000 pounds tandem axle and 80,000 pounds overall gross weights). However, states with weight limits in excess of 80,000 pounds were grandfathered in and several states, primarily in the west, have limits in excess of 80,000 pounds. Iowa was locked in at the 80,000-pound limit.

States were not required to increase their limits at that time, although most did. However, six contiguous states in the Mississippi Valley, referred to as the “barrier states,” did not and effectively limited the weight for all vehicles moving across the country to the limits in those six states. In 1982, Congress established Interstate System weight limits as both a minimum and a maximum. A state may set a limit below its grandfathered maximum, provided such a limit is not below the federal standard. A state that fails to abide by those limits is subject to losing its entire National Highway System apportionment.

So, the current status is all states are frozen at the 80,000-pound maximum/minimum unless grandfathered in. A state may set limits in excess of the federal limits on state highways, however the Federal

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Winter 2012 23Lifeliner

The History of the Size and Weight Issue in IowaHighway Administration has determined that if the state were to do so every bridge in the state would have to be inspected to determine if it would meet the new weight limits.

There are some parties who want to see the federal government increase the limits or at least give the states the ability to set their own limits.

It appears there are three questions that need to be addressed:1. Should the power to set weight limits on

Interstate highways rest with the states or the federal government?

2. Should the weight limits be increased at all – regardless of which governmental entity makes the decision?

3. If Iowa is asked to increase its weight limits on state highways, should IMTA oppose or support the proposed increase?

In order to allow for the efficient movement of freight we need to be cautious the situation does not arise where once again there are “barrier states.” In other words, if Congress gives the states the ability to set these limits and Illinois raised its limits to 90,000 pounds, but Iowa and Missouri did not, we would have created a significant barrier to the movement of freight across the United States.

Requested Action by the Board: IMTA needs to develop a policy addressing the above three questions. Should the power be vested in the states or the federal government?

Should the limits be increased and what is the IMTA position on increasing limits on state highways?

The board reaffirmed its position from 1999 in regard to question 1– Policy: “Should Congress act to allow increased lengths and weights and other states in our region act, IMTA will seek adoption of configurations deemed most advantageous to Iowa carriers thereby guaranteeing regional equity. In preparation of this effort, IMTA should begin an educational effort aimed at members and opinion makers in government, media and regulatory agencies.”

No action taken on question 2 – increasing weight limits, regardless of which governmental entity makes the decision.

No action taken on questions 3 - opposing or supporting increased weight limits on state highways. After discussion, the board decided to table this issue and take no formal position on non-interstate roads.

>>>2010 Legislation is introduced calling for an increase from the current 80,000-pound limit to 96,000 pounds for trucks configured with additional one or two axles. The legislation called for additional weight on any and all loads on non-interstate roads. The 2010 executive committee unanimously accepted a position opposing increased size and weight on non-interstate roads and fought the bill.

After an intense battle, HF 2512 passed during the final hours of the 2010 session. Supporters of the legislation argued that the new change would improve safety on Iowa roads by reducing the number of trucks on the road, while opponents of the bill, including IMTA, cited significant safety concerns and a number of other concerns with the proposed legislation, they were unsuccessful in getting the bill stopped.

Association leaders urged Governor Culver to veto the bill, asking for more time to discuss and study the ramifications of this legislation, however, the bill was signed and went into effect on July 1, 2010.

>>>2011 The size & weight issues continues to draw national attention as legislation is drafted in the House Transportation bill that would allow 97,000 pounds on interstate highways. The language was part of the long-awaited transportation reauthorization bill unveiled by US House Republicans.

The American Trucking Associations, along with shippers and manufacturers, support heavier, longer trucks, while railroads and some highway safety law enforcement groups oppose them.

One congressional source who has seen the bill told Transport Topics that the measure would also mandate states to allow longer trucks on their highways. Currently, all states must allow tractors to pull 28-foot double trailers on the National Highway System. If the bill passes, states would be required to allow double, 33-feet long trailers on the national network and on access highways.

The five-year, $260-billion surface transportation bill was introduced by House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.). In contrast however, a reauthorization bill currently moving through the US Senate is for two-years and would authorize spending of $109 billion. The sponsors, Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.), said they would not address the truck weight issue in their bill because that issue, along with high speed rail, is so controversial it could doom a reauthorization bill. Ultimately, the House version was killed and revisions were made to the Senate version with money being set aside for a study of the issue.

At the November 2011, IMTA Board of Directors meeting the issue was discussed but it was determined that IMTA would not take an official position since it was an issue that was clearly going to be played out at the Federal level. Instead, it was determined, that IMTA would continue to monitor the issue on both the State and Federal level and also continue to facilitate discussion and education among the membership.

“This issue is not going to go away so I think it is in our best interest as an association to continue to facilitate discussion and debate among the membership and in that effort, we must continue to educate the members on the issue as well,” said former IMTA Chairman Bob Kohlwes.

Summary: As this historical perspective provides, this issue has been a topic of debate and discussion for decades and will continue to be a topic of discussion far into the future. IMTA leaders are very cognizant of the fact that this is an issue that impacts virtually every member and they will continue to keep it at the forefront of priorities to be discussed on a regular basis. The trucking industry is changing dramatically, how we as an industry react to change and evolve with change always has been and always will be our top priority. As IMTA leaders have continued to point out, with change there is always challenges…but challenges also create opportunities. IT is up to us as an industry to capitalize on these opportunities so that the trucking industry continues to be vibrant, flexible and efficient.

23Lifeliner

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24 Winter 2012Lifeliner

Truck PAC Iowa Golf Outing

1st PlaceMike Bagg - Central Trailer Service, Ltd.Tom Trusty - BTI Special Commodities, Inc.Mark Wolford - GE CapitalVyto Vainiunas - GE Capital

2nd PlaceLowell Grunwald - Olson Explosives, Inc.Mark Olson - Olson Explosives, Inc.Erik Monson - PACO, Inc.Casey Blake - Olson Explosives, Inc.

3rd PlaceLonnie Wallace - Decker Truck Line, Inc.Tim Burns - Decker Truck Line, Inc.Don Decker - Decker Truck Line, Inc.Dale Decker - Decker Truck Line, Inc.

1st PlaceBrad Bailey - Central Trailer Service, Ltd.Bill Bailey - Central Trailer Service, Ltd.Bob Bradley - Central Trailer Service, Ltd.Darren Hartzler - Peterson Transportation

2nd PlaceJerry Bender - Midwest Wheel CompaniesJim Koester - Midwest Wheel CompaniesMark Doyle - Link Manufacturing, Inc.John Freeman - Camp Dodge

3rd PlaceBill Fischer - Cross Dillon Tire, Inc.Shawn Wilkening - Cross Dillon Tire, Inc.John Buettner - Cross Dillon Tire, Inc.Wade Beck - Rasmussen Group, Inc.

1st PlaceLuke Pontier - World Wide Export & Equipment Sales, Inc.Dale Greider - Peterbilt of Des MoinesLee Ballard - Midwest Wheel CompaniesJim Rankin - Midwest Wheel Companies

2nd PlaceScott Ferris - Kenworth Mid-Iowa, Inc.Deano Dean - BMC Lee Moran - Highway Mail CompanyBob Manning - Manning Ag Service

3rd PlaceJohn O’Halloran - Quality Services Corp.Jim Coffren - HirschbachAJ Lucius - Cintas CorporationsKen Silver - Quality Services Corp.

Flight Winners Championship Flight

First Flight

Second Flight

Annual Spring Golf Outing Raises over $18,000 for Truck PAC Iowa! IMTA members once again showed their support of its PAC by participating in the annual spring golf outing which is the largest fundraiser for IMTA’s political action committee. There were 142 golfers registered for the event which is a substantial increase over the previous three or four years. The event was held at the Legacy Golf Course in Norwalk and organizers were extremely pleased with the event.

Outing Chairs, Clark Bannister, McKenna Truck Center and Joel Donaghy, Donaghy Kempton Insurors were pleased with the participation and even more pleased with the amount of money raised for PAC. Fortunately the weather was good for the majority of the event with the exception of the thunderstorm that rolled through as many were finishing up on their last hole.

Chairman Jeff Wangsness worked the Officers hole with former Chairmen Bob Kohlwes and Mike Riggan and was able to greet each foursome personally. “I am so appreciative of the support that IMTA members show for this event especially since it is our largest PAC fundraiser. As always the organizers, as well as the many folks that step up as sponsors, deserve a big thanks and kudos for another job well done,” said Jeff.

This annual spring tradition attracts golfers of all levels but more importantly gets IMTA members the opportunity to get out and see one another while raising money for a good cause. A special thanks to everyone who participated and supported this outing in one way or another.

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Winter 2012 25Lifeliner

Golf Outing Recap 2012Truck PAC

Golf OutingSponsors

Bergan PaulsenBoyer Petroleum

Bridgestone Commercial SolutionsCentral Trailer Service, Ltd.

Continental General Tire/Cross-Dillon Tire, Inc.Cummins Central Power, LLC

Des Moines Truck BrokersDonaghy-Kempton Insurors

Freightliner of Des Moines, Inc.GE Capital Solutions Transportation Finance

Hawkeye International TrucksHousby/VOCON

Howe, Cunningham, Lowe & Kelso Law FirmIowa Council of Safety Management

Interstate PowerSystemsJim Hawk Truck-Trailers, Inc.

JJ Keller & AssociatesJMT Trucking Company

Joe Morten and Son, Inc. d.b.a. Motor-WaysKecky Energy

Kenworth Mid-IowaMajestic Truck Services

McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith, P.C.McKenna Truck Center

Mid-States Utility Trailer SalesMidwest Wheel Companies

O’Halloran International, Inc.Quality Services Corp.

Reynolds & Reynolds, Inc.Sioux City Truck Sales, Inc.

Tarbell & Co., P.L.C.Thermo King ChristensenTransport Permits, Ltd.

Truck CountryTruckers Insurance Associates

Wilson Trailer

Despite the downpour on the last hole, this

foursome managed to have a good round of

golf, pictured are (L-R) Luke & Matt

Schryver, Green Products, Mike

Sullivan, Kenworth Mid-Iowa and Scott Cirksena, Kenworth

Truck Co.

The Decker Team was once again a dominant force at the outing, pictured here w/IMTA President Brenda Neville is Don Decker & Chris Patrick, Cottingham & Butler (seated) and Dale Decker and Tim Burns (standing).

IMTA officers (L-R) Jeff Wangsness, Steve Schuster and Bob Kohlwes once again did an outstanding job of selling raffle tickets and promoting other wagering contests that adds to the event. Dave Irving and Dave Zerbe are the supportive customers in the photo.

IMTA office manager DeAnn Moody and Delwin Van Wyk smiling for the camera

Outing Chair Clark Bannister (right) giving golfing tips to Mark Wolford and Mike Bagg.

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Other AvAilAbleServiceS thrOugh itS

Administrative Upgradeof Safety Rating

CorrectiveAction Planning

CSA InterventionProcess Follow-up

FMCSA ComplianceReview Preparation

High-level, ComprehensiveRegulatory Assistance

MOck regulAtOrycOMpliAnce AuditS

In-Depth Look at CSA Ratings

Safety & Compliance Update

Overview ofCompany Processes

(Part of 1/2-Day Audit)

Comprehensive Reviewof Company Processes

(Part of Full-Day Audit)

Evaluation of Logs & Files,Maintenance Records, Etc.

(Part of Full-Day Audit)

cuStOM tAilOredSpeciAlty prOjectS

Company Safety Manuals

Company Training Manuals

Equipment Assessment

Hazmat Site Assessment

OSHA Site Assessment

Safety Training Programs

Security Action Plans

SAfety & regulAtOrytrAining ASSiStAnce

Compliance Seminar

CSA Overview & Training

Driver Qualification

Hours of Service

Load Securement

Roadside/Vehicle Inspection

Supervisor’s Drug &Alcohol Training

Winter Driving

licenSing & perMitting

International Registration Plan

International Fuel Tax Agreement

Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290

Unified Carrier Registration

FMCSA Operating Authority

Intrastate Operating Authority

MCS-150 Updates

preventiOn, prOtectiOn & prOfitAbility Iowa Truck Services . . . We Keep You Moving Forward

all you need for safety, compliance, licensing and permitting ...

The Iowa Motor Truck Association and its Iowa Truck Services division provide regulatory, compliance and licensing support specific to the needs of member and non-member trucking operations. Services range from assisting with IRP, IFTA and other licensing requirements to conducting on-site training, compliance assessments and reviews, safety meetings and administrative upgrades. It’s an excellent way to obtain the proper support and guidance while ensuring your company is compliant with all the current regulations.

Iowa Motor Truck association717 E. Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309

515.244.5193 (p) ● 515.244.2204 (f)www.iowamotortruck.com ● www.iowatruckservices.com

Page 27: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

Winter 2012 27Lifeliner

Has Your Operation Been Reviewed Lately?When people hear the word audit, something negative instantly seems to pop into mind. It’s an inexplicable correlation that is not easily reversed.

Given the opportunity, though, Iowa Truck Services can produce a different – completely positive – image when thinking and speaking about an audit. It would be one of satisfaction and security that gleans from a trucking operation, especially in a time when help is needed the most.

But why wait until a moment of necessity? Just because your company has not been contacted by the FMCSA doesn’t mean it’s not at risk of some type of safety, maintenance or compliance violation. Every trucking organization is one major violation or accident away from being put out of service.

What Can Be Done Now?The best way to minimize that risk while being proactive with your internal practices and procedures is to have annual regulatory and compliance reviews conducted by an outside source like Iowa Truck Services.

Don Egli, director of safety for the Iowa Motor Truck Association, will ensure industry standards are being met while helping create efficiencies within the operation. This is achieved as strengths and weaknesses are identified in all the areas studied to increase productivity while decreasing risks and threats to the company and its fleet.

Of the opportunities available through Iowa Truck Services to members and non-members of the IMTA, some of the most beneficial include:

Administrative Upgrade of Safety RatingCorrective Action PlanningCSA Management and TrainingDriver Safety MeetingsMock Regulatory AuditsSafety & Regulatory Training

This is just the tip of the iceberg! Certain special projects and custom programs – safety or training manuals, equipment or site assessments, etc. – can be arranged for carriers that are looking to enhance or change what has already been established internally.

Why Choose Iowa Truck Services?Iowa Truck Services is uniquely qualified to provide regulatory and compliance assistance because of its proven expertise, powerful relationships and unmatched resources.

Egli brings more than 30 years of industry experience as a driver, operations manager and safety specialist. He and the IMTA have good, long-standing relationships with the FMCSA and Iowa DOT that can be useful if ever needed. Additionally, no company will find a more trusted business partner that is responsive, attentive and dedicated to giving 100 percent to its customers.

Simply stated, Iowa Truck Services works relentlessly for any private, for-hire or specialized motor carrier to meet their specific operational needs and demands – no matter the request.

Protecting your company and all its assets is not an optional chore. It needs to be managed and reviewed on a continual basis to guarantee optimal success. Make your operation the next to join a long list of carriers Iowa Truck Services has already assisted.

Iowa Truck Services

Don Egli, CSSIMTA Director of Safety

If you have interest in seeing what Iowa Truck Services can do for your company, contact IMTA Director of Safety Don Egli at (515) 244-5193 or [email protected]. Even if you don’t know the specific services needed to improve your operation, he can begin assessing your situation through a simple phone conversation.

“I wanted to thank you so much for taking time out of your weekend last month to come and talk with my drivers regarding CSA at our Spring Safety Meeting. The guys picked up on a lot that you talked about. I have seen our write-ups for repairs go up considerably. That tells me a few things: (1) That they listened to what you had to say; (2) That they are performing their pre- and post-trip inspections; and (3) We are running our equipment on the road with fewer deficiencies. That is wonderful to know that our people are carrying out their duties and requirements. Thanks again for all you have done for Martin Brother’s. I’ll look forward to the next time our paths cross.”

Gary ChurchAssistant Director of Transportation

Martin Brother’s Distributing Co.

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28 Winter 2012Lifeliner

Members in the News

Tribute to former IMTA Board member and trucking leader – Harold AndrewsOn June 6, 2012, Harold Andrews with Warren Transport, a former IMTA board member lost his battle with cancer. Harold was extremely active with the Iowa Motor Truck Association and enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors. Harold was also instrumental in getting several of the IMTA conventions up to the Waterloo area and IMTA was one of the first associations to hold their annual convention and trade show in the new Sullivan Brothers convention center back in the early 1990s. Harold was also a tremendous advocate for trucking policies on both the state and national level and was never afraid to speak his mind or share his opinion. Despite his sometimes gruff demeanor, Harold was highly respected by his peers and colleagues and was always recognized for his love of the trucking industry and his unwavering commitment to promoting the industry in any way possible. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the family of Harold Andrews as well as the entire Warren Transport family.

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Winter 2012 29Lifeliner

Members in the News

Addition Opens at Peterbilt of Norfolk

Construction was recently completed on a nearly 7,400-square-foot addition to the Peterbilt of Norfolk building. Eight new bays, added to the east end of the metal building, opened for business in mid-April at the heavy-truck dealership on Highway 81 in Norfolk, Nebraska

The addition to the Norfolk building, which was originally built in 2008, is needed to accommodate the growth in customer demand for service, according to Peterbilt Service Manager Dennis Zimmerer. The service department gains six new service bays, which will boost the service center to 15 service bays, plus a wash bay. Several additional diesel technicians will be hired to increase staffing.

Meanwhile, the parts department also benefits from the addition, said Peterbilt Parts Manager Ron Hoefelman. The two eastern-most bays are being equipped with parts shelving and other storage facilities. The parts department will also gain approximately 1,700 square feet of floor storage space for large items and 600 square feet of small parts shelf storage within the new addition.

Improvements to the parking lot to help with traffic flow was another aspect of the estimated $2 million project that was completed early this year. A turnaround lane was paved on the south side of the property to allow trucks to make U-turns in the parking lot. The paving improvements included a larger trailer parking area and an employee parking lot.

Peterbilt of Norfolk is one of four dealerships owned by Sioux City Truck Sales in the region. Founded in 1954 and still family-owned, SCTS also operates full-service Peterbilt dealerships in Sioux City, Des Moines and Council Bluffs-Omaha.

Dennis Reha Passes AwayDennis Reha, of Adair, Iowa, passed away April 19, 2012 at age 70. Dennis’s grandfather William started in the trucking business in the 30’s during the Great Depression. The company was named Adair Transfer, later as his sons Vernon and Delmar grew they joined the family business and it was

named William Reha and Son’s Trucking. They were grain, limestone, coal and livestock truckers, however were known for cleaning up the trailers and hauling furniture and moving people. William retired in 1952 and the brothers changed the name to Reha Brothers Trucking. Later in 1969 Delmar opened and operated a hog buying station and Dennis bought his uncles portion of the business, thus changing the name of the company to Reha Trucking. Dennis and his father operated the business being farm to market truckers hauling livestock, grain, flatbed, tanker and vans. Vernon retired in 1983 and in 1985 was awarded the American Truck Historical Society’s Founders Award and the Pioneer Trucker award nominated by Dennis. Dennis, wife Anna and family continued to operate the business until 1994 and continued to sell Wayne Feed, Garst seed corn and Stine soybeans. The company was well known for excellent customer service. The company employed many great hard working people and cherished its many loyal customers in the over 60 years of business.

Dennis was an Adair Volunteer Firefighter, Reserve Sheriff Deputy for Adair County and was very involved in his church and community. Dennis is survived by his wife Anna of 41 years, 3 sons Chris, Mike and Tim, their spouses and 13 grandchildren. Two of the three sons and 1 brother are involved in the trucking industry today. The family has been affiliated with the IMTA since 1970 to present day keeping the tradition alive.

Dennis Reha

(L-R) Delmar Reha, Dennis Reha, Vernon Reha - 1983

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30 Winter 2012Lifeliner

Members in the News

Welcome New Members! Without the strength of its members, the IMTA would not be the driving force it is today. IMTA’s image remains vigorous on the state and national level. These new members have joined the association for many reasons. More importantly, they believe in the mission of the IMTA and realize we can be one of their strongest business partners. If you see any of these members at a meeting or event, I invite you to introduce yourself and welcome them on board.

Better Business Bureau Honors Des Moines Truck BrokersDes Moines Truck Brokers, of Norwalk, Iowa, was one of four Iowa companies recently honored for their outstanding commitment to fair, honest and ethical marketplace practices by the Iowa Better Business Bureau.

Recognition came in the form of the 2012 Better Business Bureau Integrity Award that was recently presented to Des Moines Truck Brokers at the BBB’s annual recognition luncheon in Des Moines.

“The BBB Integrity Awards honor those companies who operate at the pinnacle of integrity. Without these companies, the BBB would not have the 100-year-old reputation of being the leader in

advancing marketplace trust,” said BBB President Chris Coleman. “Des Moines Truck Brokers, with its 43 years of serving employees, customers and motor carriers with utmost care and integrity, has earned this spotlight.”

Established in 1993, the Integrity Awards give public recognition to businesses and organizations for their outstanding commitment to fair, honest and ethical marketplace practices. Companies are judged in four categories – based on their number of employees – by an independent panel of judges each year.

“We are honored to be recognized alongside other great organizations such as Kemin Industries, HCI Care Services and The Arc of East Central Iowa,” said James DeMatteis, President of DMTB. “This recognition for how we do business and our focus on integrity and building trust is especially meaningful. We know that sound business practices and accountability contribute to our success but, in the end, it is trust that makes that success sustainable.

“That trust is earned by our employees. Each and every day they serve with the kind of integrity and expertise that is truly extraordinary for our industry.”

Founded in 1969, Des Moines Truck Brokers, Inc. is one of the premier full-service, third-party transportation logistics providers in North America. With a dedication to on-time deliveries and a reputation for paying carriers quickly, the company offers the ultimate in service to its customers and has been recognized as the industry leader through countless awards and business success.

The company’s backbone is its knowledgeable team members who bring more than a century of transportation and traffic management experience. The account executives and account managers focus on providing creative and effective solutions, while the carrier coordinators assure the safety and dependability of each of DMTB’s qualified motor carriers. Together, they ensure excellence throughout the entire process.

Mike Spalla,Membership Manager

Kunkel & Associates, Inc.Dubuque, IA

Von Maur, Inc.Davenport, IA

Jackson Medical SupplyWinterset, IA

Gatr Truck CenterCedar Rapids, IA

Foss Farms LLCEverly, IA

Z Line Tire & RepairToledo, IA

Quest Liner, Inc.Dubuque, IA

Foodliner, Inc.Dubuque, IA

Con-Struct, Inc.Ames, IA

Convenience TransportationLaCrosse, WI

Insurance AssociatesIowa City, IA

Beeler Trucking, Inc.Winterset, IA

Feed Energy CompanyDes Moines, IA

Guntren TruckingSioux City, IA

McBurney Enterprises, LLCOskaloosa, IA

Iowa Sleep Disorders CenterWest Des Moines, IA

Volvo Trucks/FinanceBlue Springs, MO

Allison TransmissionAndover, MN

Pitney Bowes Presort ServicesUrbandale, IA

Lillibridge Transportation, Inc.Urbana, IA

Harrison Truck CenterElk Run Heights, IA

Inland Truck PartsDes Moines, IA

Tennant Truck Lines, Inc.Colona, IL

CJM Financial, Inc.Ankeny, IA

J & T Motorfreight, LLCHubbard, IA

Lattice Transport LLCFairfax, IA

Klinkenborg Aerial Spraying and Seeding, Inc.Parkersburg, IA

Mike Campbell’s Body Shop & Towing, Inc.Burlington, IA

Cornhusker International Trucks, Inc.Sioux City, IA

Five Seasons Auto RebuildersCedar Rapids, IA

Madorin’s Towing & RecoveryVinton, IA

Page 31: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

2012 IMTACornerstone

Sponsors

COLLEAGUE SPONSORSBridgestone Commercial Solutions

Donaghy-Kempton InsurorsGE Capital Solutions Transportation Finance

Housby/VoconHowe, Cunningham, Lowe & Kelso Law Firm

Majestic Truck CenterMcGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith, P.C.

O’Halloran International, Inc.Thermo King Christensen

ASSOCIATE SPONSORSDes Moines Truck BrokersFreightliner of Des Moines

McKenna Truck CenterMid-States Utility Trailer Sales

Transport Permits

If you want to have your company listed

as a Cornerstone Sponsorof the IMTA,

please contact Phillip Nicolino at515-244-5193 or

[email protected]

PLATINUM SPONSORSBoyer Petroleum

Hawkeye International TrucksMidwest Wheel Companies

Truck Country

as of June 26, 2012

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32 Winter 2012Lifeliner

Truck Driving Championships

Truck Driving ChampionshipsCommittee

ChairmanMarvin McGinnisCasey’s General Stores Co-ChairmanRodney GlassnerCon-Way Freight

Dan GardnerWalmart Transportation LLC

Gary HandleyBTI Special Commodities Dan HannaschFarner-Bocken Co. Bridget Nixon Solar Transport Julie PruittCrouse Transportation James RansomRuan Transportation Jon OsbornJohnsrud Transport Dave RigganTanTara Transportation Corp. Jackie JohsrudJohnsrud Transport Bob KohlwesBTI Special Commodities

2012 Iowa Truck Driving Championships A showcase of the very best! A record number of drivers registered for the 2012 Iowa Truck Driving Championships that moved to a new venue this year, Prairie Meadows Hotel in Altoona. A total of 126 drivers registered for the event that finally experienced picture perfect weather in early June.

Once again the very best of the best showed up for the competition and all participants…the drivers, their families and volunteers had an outstanding time at the 2012 Iowa Truck Driving Championships. The event was kicked off on the first night with the traditional red carpet treatment complete with a champagne toast and a recognition ceremony with special guest Iowa Speaker of the House Kraig Paulson on hand to present each participant with a special medal.

The next morning, motivational speaker Kent Stock entertained and inspired the audience of over 300 and once the competition was over, the banquet of champions was held complete with the awards ceremony and other special activities that puts the Iowa Truck Driving Championships in a class all of their own.

“I am always extremely proud at the way we tailor this event to focus solely on the driver and give them the attention, appreciation and respect they deserve. Every driver leaves this event with a renewed sense of pride and confidence in their value as a professional driver. It really makes me proud to be a part of it and I just cannot say enough good things about this event. So many people work very hard for a very long

time to ensure that each year the TDC is a first class event and we always hit the mark. It really is an amazing event on so many different levels,” said Marvin McGinnis with Casey’s and the chairman of the 2012 Iowa Truck Driving Championships.

The new venue was also extremely popular with the attendees. The hotel was very close and Prairie Meadows Casino and Race Track also provided entertainment for folks as well. The hotel just opened in April and this event was one of the first major events held in this luxurious and plush hotel.

“It is always an honor to be a part of this annual tradition, primarily because you really see the drivers responding to all the special, little touches that make them recognize how important they are to this industry and to their respective companies. I am most grateful to all the volunteers, financial supporters and companies that allow their drivers to participate. We really have a good thing going here in Iowa with this event and it really brings a lot of pride to a lot of different people,” said IMTA Chairman Jeff Wangsness, JMT Trucking.

“Every driver leaves this event with a renewed sense of pride and confidence in their value as a professional driver.” -Marvin McGinnis, 2012 TDC Chairman

L-R: Marvin McGinnis, Brenda Neville, Iowa Speaker Kraig Paulson, Rodney Glassner, Donna Weinrich, Mike Bagg, Dave Neuwohner, Jackie Johnsrud & Mark Olson.

Page 33: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

Winter 2012 33Lifeliner

Truck Driving Championships

All Seasons TruckingAllied Oil & Tire CompanyARGEE TransportBauer Built TireBoyer PetroleumBradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, PCBridgestone Commercial SolutionsBTI Special CommoditiesCasey’s General StoresCedar Rapids Truck Center/Quad Cities PeterbiltCentral Trailer ServiceContinental Western InsuranceCon-way Freight, Inc.Cost Reduction TechnologiesCrouse TransportationCummins Central Power, LLCDecker Truck Line, Inc.Des Moines Truck BrokersDonaghy-Kempton InsurorsDR & KW Transtor, Inc.Eastern Iowa TireFedEx FreightFreightliner of Des Moines, Inc.GE Capital Solutions Transportation FinanceGreat West CasualtyGreen Products CompanyGregg Goodenow, Ltd.Growmark, Inc.

Hanifen Co, Inc.Hansen CompanyHarold Dickey TransportHawkeye International TrucksHeil TrailerHolmes Murphy & AssociatesHousby/VOCONHowe, Cunningham, Lowe & Kelso Law FirmHy-Vee Food Stores, Inc.Interstate PowerSystemsIowa Council of Safety ManagementIowa Tanklines, Inc.Jim Hawk Truck & TrailersJJ Keller & AssociatesJMT Trucking CompanyJoe Morten and Son, Inc. d.b.a Motor-Ways, Inc.Johnsrud TransportKenworth Mid-IowaLockton Companies, LLCMajestic Truck ServicesMcGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith, P.C.McKenna Truck CenterMid Seven TransportationMid-States Utility Trailer SalesMidwest Wheel CompaniesO’Halloran International, Inc.PeopleNetPerformance Tire and Service

Perishable Distributors of IowaPrepassPrins Insurance, Inc.Qualcomm, Inc.Randy’s Diesel Repair, Inc.Reynolds & Reynolds, Inc.RSM McGladrey, Inc.Ruan Transportation Management SystemsSchneider GraphicsSimons PetroleumSolar TransportTanTara Transportation Corp.Ten D, Inc.TenstreetThermo King ChristensenTransport Permits, Ltd.Truck CountryTwin Bridges Truck City Inc.United Natural Foods, Inc.VigilloWal-Mart Transportation, LLCWarren Transport, Inc.Weinrich Truck Line, Inc.West Side Transport, Inc.Whitfield & Eddy, PLCWilson TrailerYRC Worldwide, Inc.

2012 Truck Driving ChampionshipsS p o n s o r s

Page 34: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

34 Winter 2012Lifeliner

2012 TDC Championships Winners3

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(L-R 3rd Place - Scott Marnin, Con-way Freight, Inc. 2nd Place - Kurt Walker, Con-way Freight, Inc. 1st Place - Jim Stinemates, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC

(L-R) 3rd Place - Tom Goddard, Hy-Vee, Inc. 1st Place - Brad Heying, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC; 2nd Place - Stan Giddings, Decker Truck Line, Inc.

(L-R) 3rd Place - Larry Polzin, Panama Transfer, Inc. 1st Place - Gary Baker, Perishable Distributors of Iowa, Ltd. 2nd Place - Jed Hinds, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC

(L-R) 3rd Place - Allen Sohn, FedEx Freight 1st Place - Mark Brown, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC 2nd Place - Harlan Pundt, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC

(L-R) 3rd Place - Michael Lundberg, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC 1st Place - Jeff Wickwire, Con-way Freight, Inc. 2nd Place - Kevin Garlick, Con-way Freight, Inc.

(L-R) 2nd Place - Glen Frick, Perishable Distributors of Iowa, Ltd. 1st Place - Harold Flesner, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC 3rd Place - Dean Filmer, Decker Truck Line, Inc.

Page 35: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

Winter 2012 35Lifeliner

2012 TDC Championships WinnersSt

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ht T

ruck

Twin

Tra

ilers

(L-R) 3rd Place - Joe Akers, Con-way Freight, Inc. 1st Place - David Bean, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC 2nd Place - Pierre Becker, YRC Freight

(L-R) 2nd Place - Jim Getty, Con-way Freight, Inc. 1st Place - Dan Waugh, ABF Freight Systems, Inc. 3rd Place - Jimmy Lair, FedEx Freight

Page 36: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

36 Winter 2012Lifeliner

Special Award WinnersHi

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High

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(L-R) Jeff Wangsness, JMT Trucking Company & IMTA Chairman of the Board; Jim Stinemates, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC

(L-R) Jeff Wangsness, JMT Trucking Company & IMTA Chairman of the Board; Mark Howard, Ruan Transportation

(L-R) Jeff Wangsness, JMT Trucking Company & IMTA Chairman of the Board; Brian Gardner, FedEx Freight

(L-R) Jeff Wangsness, JMT Trucking Company & IMTA Chairman of the Board; Anderson Erickson Dairy Co.

1st P

lace

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Team

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Perishable Distributors of Iowa, Ltd.

Con-way Freight, Inc.

Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC

(L-R) Jeff Wangsness, JMT Trucking Company & IMTA Chairman of the Board; Larry Polzin, Panama Transfer, Inc.

Page 37: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

Winter 2012 37Lifeliner

Truck Driving Championships

ABF Freight Systems, Inc. BTI Special Commodities, Inc.

Con-way Freight, Inc.Cherry Valley EnterprisesCasey’s General Stores

FedEx ExpressDecker Truck Line, Inc.

Anderson Erickson Dairy

Crouse Transportation Services, LLC FedEx Ground

FedEx Freight Hy-Vee, Inc. Martin-Brower

Page 38: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

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Page 39: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

Winter 2012 39Lifeliner

Truck Driving Championships

Perishable Distributors of Iowa, Ltd.Panama TransferJohnsrud Transport, Inc.

Ruan Transportation Solar Transport Schuster Company

TanTara Transportation Corp. United Natural Foods, Inc.

Weinrich Truck Line

UPS Freight

YRC FreightWal-Mart Transportation, LLC

Page 40: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

40 Winter 2012Lifeliner

Congratulations to all participating drivers on a job well done!

Truck Driving Championships

Page 41: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

Winter 2012 41Lifeliner

New in Iowa Trucking

Crouse Cartage Company Digitizes its History

When George Crouse decided it was time to do something about Crouse Cartage Company’s storied history, he could envision what he wanted but was not quite sure how to get it done.

With hundreds of old photos and news articles, it would have been a shame to leave them in a shoebox as they slowly deteriorated. Instead, Crouse made the decision to share them with former employees, customers, his grandchildren and anyone else in the world who has an interest in the history of CCC – through the Internet.

After a presentation at the Iowa Motor Truck Association by Steve Grubbs, CEO of Victory Enterprises, George choose to combine a traditional Web site, Facebook

page and photo sharing site – Flickr – to create a place for customers to find the company while giving former employees the opportunity to visit about photos and leave comments through the new social network. This allowed George to pull out boxes of newspaper clippings, photos and memories so they could be digitally encapsulated for decades to come.

“I’m so happy that we were able to preserve the photos and history of Crouse Cartage. I invested much of my life in the company. The photos and stories are a bridge to a lot of people who mean a lot to our family,” Crouse said. “There are a few things I don’t like about modern technology, but the ability to share these with the world is a lot better than a photo book tucked away in a cedar chest somewhere.”

Crouse Cartage Company is one of America’s iconic brands in the trucking industry. The familiar yellow and black logo was a mainstay on Interstates and highways for decades until it was sold in 1998. However, just because the company

is gone, it did not mean the memories and people needed to be. Today’s technological capabilities ensured as much.

Now Internet browsers can find Crouse Cartage online at www.crousecartage.com, where the history of the company, photos and news will be maintained. Additionally, Facebook fans can easily find the company by searching “Crouse Cartage” in the search box at the top of the page. On its Facebook page, the history of Crouse Cartage is readily viewable through the images and newspaper stories already posted.

The Crouse family intends to keep updating the photos and stories as time goes by. If you have a chance to drop by the Facebook page and leave comments or a story, please do and be a part of the Crouse Cartage historical archive.

Now Internet browsers can find Crouse Cartage online at www.crousecartage.com

Leaping Forward: IMTA Jumps into Social NetworkingFacebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Tumblr. They’re all molecules that combine together to help form one, big, expanding world known as social media and networking. This world is a little different than what most people are accustomed to, but billions of people have gravitated towards it to some degree.

Instead of resisting change or being hesitant of its unique attributes, the Iowa Motor Truck Association decided to embrace social media with an open mind. The association launched Facebook and Twitter pages while creating a Tumblr blog and YouTube channel. Collectively, they give the IMTA more ways to promote Iowa’s trucking industry while connecting with people and organizations that are passionate about it.

By embracing the world of social media, the IMTA has been able to supplement its traditional forms of communication – Web site, magazine, electronic newsletters, etc. – by including several of the following on its new social media sites:

• News Releases• Regulatory Issues• Educational Opportunities• Event Information & Registration Opportunities• Links to Industry Stories• Engaging Conversations• Videos of Interest

And, as more people have joined the IMTA’s social network, two things have become apparent during its infancy: (1) How easily the IMTA can cast a broader net with which to advocate on behalf of its members and (2) The increased opportunities association members have available to track Iowa’s trucking industry and all that affects it.

So consider joining this next era of communication. If you do, remember to “Like,” “Follow” and “View” the IMTA. You’ll get everything you need and much, much more.

LikeIowa Motor Truck

Association

Follow us@imtassn

View us @Iowamotortruck

Read us atwww.iowamotortruck.tumblr.com

Page 42: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

42 Winter 2012Lifeliner

IMTA President Brenda Neville named 2012 Iowa Association Executive of the YearIMTA President Brenda Neville was recently named the 2012 Iowa Association Executive of the Year by the Iowa Society of Association Executives (ISAE). This award is presented annually to an association executive of a trade or professional association in the state of Iowa. This is ISAE’s most prestigious award and honors the recipient in recognition of extraordinary leadership and achievement as an association executive, for contributions to the profession of association management and for continued civic and community involvement. Nominations from peers and colleagues in the association community determine the winner of this annual award. ISAE has a membership of over 300 and it is because of this peer recognition that the award is of such value.

“To be recognized by one’s peers should demonstrate the high esteem to which Brenda is held in the association

profession in Iowa. She exemplifies the best in association management and we believe she is most deserving of this recognition,” said Dave Duncan, Iowa Telephone Association and ISAE Chairman.

Brenda joined the ISAE when she became an employee of IMTA in 1986 and has continued to be active in the organization serving on its board and as its chairman in 2000. For the past 15 years, Brenda has also organized and taught classes on association management and led the association certification program in Iowa. Throughout her tenure with IMTA she has worked in several different positions for the association, serving as its Vice President for 14 years and then being named IMTA’s President in 2008.

“On behalf of ISAE, please accept our congratulations and also our thanks for allowing Brenda the

opportunity to grow not just in her role at IMTA but in also allowing her the opportunity to give back so generously to others in the field of association management,” said Ed Whitver, Iowa Medical Society and Vice Chairman of ISAE.

© 2012 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Northland is a proud member and supporter of the Iowa Motor Truck Association.

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Here are just a few ways we get it done:

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Brenda Neville honored as Association Executive of the Year – L – R: Dave Duncan, Iowa Telephone Association & ISAE Chairman, Brenda Neville, IMTA President, Ed Whitver, Iowa Medical Society & ISAE Vice Chairman

Page 43: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

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Page 44: 2012 Lifeliner Magazine (Issue 2)

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