Alabama Trucker, 4th Quarter 2019

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The Alabama Trucker

ATA’s new President Mark Colson had a recent revelation of sorts about his new role as the top lobbyist and spokesman for Alabama’s trucking industry: While he may not drive a truck, he’s a trucker – and henceforth, that’s how he wants to be known.

Colson wants people to know that trucking has it going on in terms of supporting Alabama’s economy and providing great-paying, meaningful jobs for hard-working Alabamians.

Published quarterly by the Alabama Trucking Assn., P.O. Box 242337, Montgomery, AL 36124-2337. www.alabamatrucking.org or call 334-834-3983 PUBLISHER Ford Boswell fboswell@alabamatrucking.org CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cindy Segrest csparks67@gmail.com

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Concerns for Trucking

PRODUCTION EDITOR Brandie Norcross

The American Transportation Research Institute, the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research institute, recently unveiled its annual “Top Industry Issues” report in October, which includes a list of the top ten critical issues facing North America’s trucking industry. Each year, the list is unveiled at the American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference and Exhibition.

CONTRIBUTING WRITER Dan Shell, Tim Frazier ADVERTISING Ford Boswell fboswell@alabamatrucking.org

ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT & CEO Mark Colson

Avoid Cyberattack

DIRECTOR OF SAFETY & MEMBER SERVICES Tim Frazier, CDS DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Cindy York DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Ford Boswell MANAGER OF MEMBER RELATIONS Brandie Norcross ATA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Steve Aronhalt, Dennis Bailey, Nic Balanis, Joe Black, Gary Bond, Jack Brim, Greg Brown, Will Bruser, Billy Campbell, Dan Carmichael, Fenn Church, J.J. Clemmons, Mark Coffman, Jeff Coleman, John Collier, Rodger Collins, Driscoll Colquett, Brent Cook, Chris Cooper, Bo Cross, Jerry Davis, Ranny Davis, Amy DeFee, Joe Donald, Edmund Doss, Mack Dove, Wesley Dunn, Jack Fricks, Thomas Gaines, Kevin Henderson, Beau Holmes, Steve Johnson, Bryan Kilpatrick, Terry Kilpatrick, Jason King, Mark Knotts, Jerry Kocan, Andrew Linn, Drew Linn, Hunter Lyons, Jeff McGrady, Barry McGriff, Bruce MacDonald, Tom McLeod, Buck Moore, E.H. Moore, Jr., Tommy Neely, Butch Owens, David Padgett, Clay Palm, Kelly Robinson, Kevin Savoy, Bill Scruggs, Harold Smith, Ronnie Stephenson, Steve Stinson, Paul Storey, Harold Sumerford, Jr., Tim Tucker, Bill Ward, Bo Watkins, Wayne Watkins, Taylor White, T.J. Willings, Keith Wise, Daniel Wright.

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Almost daily you read about companies’ systems being attacked or crippled by malware. No one company or industry is immune to these attacks, including the trucking industry. The experts at McLeod Software offer several steps to safeguard your system because the bad guys have upped their game and aren’t going away anytime soon.

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E P A R T M E N T S

President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Safety Insights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SMMC Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Trucking News Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Buyers’ Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 ATA Events and New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

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An Affiliate of the American Trucking Associations

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

334-834-3983 • www.alabamatrucking.org 1

From the President

As Truckers, We Connect— We Deliver W

Mark Colson President and CEO Alabama Trucking Association

‘For our industry to be our best, we need you and your people to be engaged through ATA.’

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hen one thinks of connectivity what first comes to mind is perhaps the Internet and how it has connected us to information, to each other, to services, and how it has transformed the way we do business. In the transportation chain, it’s truckers who ultimately connect products with the consumer. This connectivity is as vital to our economy and our lives as the electrical grid connecting us with the power to run our factories, businesses and homes.

The reliable, efficient and healthy trucking industry is both a strategic and elemental necessity as it relates to the stability and overall security of our state’s economy and beyond.

So, yes, “We Connect, We Deliver” is a well-deserving mantra for our industry, and it’s because of people like you!

As I see it, the Alabama Trucking Association’s purpose is to connect and deliver meaningful services and value for its members. For more than 80 years, ATA has delivered for Alabama’s vital transportation industry. In recent years, the successes have lined-up under the leadership of long-time president Frank Filgo and the many volunteer leaders who’ve invested their time in the organization. But the question remains: Where do we go from here as an organization? The answer is simple and definitive: We’ll build on a solid foundation and go forward, boldly!

In September, we had the most successful ATA Golf Classic in its history thanks to our passionate members and the leadership of our Classic Committee led by Andrew Linn of Southland Transportation Group. These members took time away from their businesses to ensure that ATA has the political resources necessary to protect and advance our industry. The passion that these members led with is contagious. I’m still geared up by their level of activism.

In November, ATA Chairman Tom McLeod, American Trucking Associations Vice-President Greg Brown and ATA Past Chairman Fenn Church led a delegation of truckers to Washington D.C. to meet with our Alabama congressional delegation on critical issues facing our industry. We are fortunate to have a pro-trucking congressional delegation led by our senior senator Sen. Richard Shelby and senior house member Rep. Robert Aderholt. Our group met with the entire Alabama delegation, and the perspectives shared by our Alabama truckers were very well-received by our elected leaders.

One of the most exciting new endeavors of ATA is our newly formed ATA Foundation.

Hopefully, you’ve seen our industry awareness advertising campaign that ran on CBS College Football Saturdays. These ads told the real story of Alabama trucking. A refreshing change from the silly plaintiff lawyer ads that disrespect the hardworking men and women who make our industry great.

That campaign is just a beginning for the Foundation. We are now in year two of providing diesel tech scholarships to students who want to work in our industry. Recently, at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, I had the opportunity to visit with Kyle Keck who will be graduating soon with his degree, thanks in part to the Foundation. Kyle credits his scholarship for the opportunity to pursue his dreams. He told me, “I just love to work on trucks, and I love to go fast,” referencing his hobby of motorsports racing.

ATA is YOUR association, and our talented staff is dedicated to providing the greatest value to members of the trucking industry. For our industry to be our best, we need you and your people to be engaged through ATA. We will continue to connect and deliver in 2020, and we will go forward boldly as we tell the great story of Alabama Trucking and the people who keep it rolling.

In the spirit of this holiday season, may the Lord bless you and yours a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.

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Shifting Into As the newly appointed leader for the state’s trucking industry, Mark Colson is fueled up, loaded down, and ready to take Alabama’s trucking industry to the next level.

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By Dan Shell MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Trucking Association’s new President & CEO, Mark Colson, considers himself a trucker.

Frankly, it’s a refreshing approach to lead the industry from the ground up, but the way Colson sees it, anyone who works in this business from a truck cab to a corner office is a trucker. And he is ready to tell all who’ll listen that the people in the trucking industry are doing amazing work and providing ample opportunity for those seeking a career with unlimited advancement and financial stability.

Six months ago, the Chilton County native, proudly took the wheel of the state’s trucking association, with a mission to “shift the industry into high gear” by utilizing a more strategic approach to advocacy and industry promotion.

Colson wants trucking to lead the way in public safety, job creation, and technical innovation. He wants to bring new energy and enhance its professional image at a time

when many industry veterans are passing the torch to new leaders in their companies.

“Trucking has an incredible story to tell,” he says. “We have talented men and women working in this industry who are driving Alabama’s economy and making a difference—and we’re going to tell their stories.”

Leading the Way Changes in leadership are a time of transition in all organizations. In representing state truckers since 1938, ATA is a mature, effective organization that’s coming off 24 years of leadership under its former CEO, Frank Filgo, and such a transition isn’t to be taken lightly.

In hiring Colson, the board opted for a compelling blend of youth and experience, coupled with a family business background thrown in for good measure. Colson’s wellrounded experience with the Business Council of Alabama, one of the state’s top business lobbying groups, serves him well handling ATA’s legal and legislative representation, and A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

High Gear lots of time spent changing truck tires at his family’s business as a younger man gives him a realworld understanding of the hard work and commitment Alabama truckers and associate companies bring to their businesses.

“We’re so proud to add Mark to the ATA family,” says Reid Dove of AAA Cooper Transportation and chairman of the executive search committee that selected Colson.

The committee was composed of several ATA board members, including Wayne Watkins, Gail Cooper, Scott Smith, Kevin Savoy, Jeff Coleman, Greg Brown, Fenn Church, Buck Moore, and Drew Linn. The group met several times to pore over applicants, eventually narrowing the field to six outstanding finalists for interviews.

“Mark’s knowledge and experience in our state from a legislative and business standpoint are a great

Colson has embraced his new role as leader of the state’s trucking industry, pledging to stand tall for all facets of the sector from truck cab to corner office.

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

asset to existing and future ATA members,” Dove says. “I’m proud of the diligence and focus that each committee member gave to the selection process. There were nine votes in total and everyone had Mark as the first choice. We all knew replacing Frank was no easy task, but we are delighted with the result. We are blessed to have Mark’s leadership and energy to bring great things for ATA for many years to come.”

Colson says in his first year he plans to do a lot of listening and learning and doesn’t plan on making any big changes too quickly.

“This is a stalwart organization, and I want to come in and learn as much as I can, in every facet of the industry,” he adds. “Trucking is very well respected in Alabama, and that respect has been built by Frank and all the leaders of the organization – that didn’t happen Continued on page 6 5

overnight and that’s not the case in every state. We are fortunate.”

member involvement and that level of activity is uncommon when it comes to trade and business groups. “I know a lot of organizations that would be envious of the energy ATA has,” he adds.

Colson grew up in the rural Case in point is the recent ubercommunity of Isabella, between successful ATA Golf Classic, Clanton and Maplesville, Ala., which thanks in part to an enwhere his dad operates Blowout gaged membership, smashed allTire Co. and his mom is a social time fundraising and participation worker. figures raising more than He changed tires and did odd $320,000 for ATA’s political acjobs around the store while watchtion committee TRUK PAC. ing his dad work to serve cus“Mark came in and got right to tomers and grow the business. work on our tournament,” says Those experiences gave him a deep ATA Chairman of the Board Tom appreciation for the challenges that McLeod. “His leadership and vision independent businesses face. for that event were exceptional. He When he wasn’t working, he was assembled an outstanding team, a three-sport athlete parlaying that and, together with Tournament into a roster spot on the inaugural Chairman Andrew Linn and the Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Classic Committee, we achieved Ala.) football team in 2003. amazing results for future industry Being part of a startup football political action.” program gave Colson an appreciaColson believes the effective cultion for building a talented team for ture that ATA has developed is a success. “That first year was tough, testament to Frank Filgo’s successbut then we got good fast, especially ful leadership and longevity and after Coach Mike Turk took over in also powerful membership involveyear two,” he recalls. ment. This culture is something he By his senior year, the Hawks had Colson has spent his first months on the job meeting members and their employees. Here, would like to broaden and build established a winning program, and he stands with Boyd Bros. 2-million-mile safe driver Myron Moffett, center, and ATA on. “Members who aren’t yet enDirector of Safety Tim Frazier.

Colson was a national leader in regaged, we need to find and engage ceiving and all-purpose yards for the them,” Colson says. classification. nization’s longevity, committed membership The new ATA leader says the best thing After football, Colson landed an internand effectiveness across the board.

ATA can do is continually find ways to deship with the Chamber of Commerce AssoColson says, even before he was hired, he liver more value to members. “Obviously, ciation of Alabama, where he met and felt he was a part of the trucking family legal and legislative advocacy are big things, learned from community leaders from all through his background. “I grew up changing but no matter the issue, and whether it’s over the state. “I was able to work with truck tires,” he adds, “I understand the culour trucking members or allied companies, local chamber leaders in every corner of the ture, the hard work ethic and the family atwe are going to communicate our value state,” Colson remembers. “They are the mosphere of the industry.” and provide even more than we ever have,” true troops on the ground when it comes to Colson’s wife, Cody, serendipitously he says. business advocacy.” worked for ATA for a couple of years in the As an example, the association is considThe work also led to a renewed interest mid-2000s before going to law school. The ering an association health plan for trucking in politics and governmental affairs, somecouple has a 10-month-old daughter, Liv. members. “We are still in the due-diligence thing he’d grown up around. He eventually phase, but this is exactly the kind of prolanded a job with the Business Council of gram we need to explore for our members,” Alabama wearing many important hats: He Colson explains. “The ATA Comp Fund is ran the association’s political action coma tremendous success story and unparalleled mittee, then shifted to government affairs.

Even though he was already aware of in its performance. If we can also provide He also served as the organization’s interim ATA’s active membership and effectiveness an option for more affordable health care president while it transitioned through its as an association through his previous work for members, that is a huge win.” own leadership change. on state business issues, he says one thing ATA Comp Fund CEO Kimble Coaker “I value my time there, and all the unique he noticed quickly as he initially engaged says Colson’s appointment as President and experiences I had,” Colson says. “We had a ATA members and leaders is that “We have CEO of ATA represents an opportunistic lot of success to enjoy, and some setbacks to people who will put their money where change in the leadership of Alabama’s trucklearn from.” their mouth is, and put elbow grease into ing industry.

During his tenure, the BCA worked whatever project we’re working on — they “His experience in the business and legclosely with ATA on several legislative isbreathe life into this association.” islative realms will help guide and strengthsues, so Colson was familiar with the orgaHe says ATA is blessed with strong Continued on page 8

Background

Value Added

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A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

en the ATA’s initiatives both publicly service techs and fleet managers. and politically,” Coaker says. “His enTo gain even greater perspective, ergy and his passionate determination he’s done things as varied as meeting will allow him to lead the Association and talking with diesel tech students— – and the industry – through the everand spent some time under a truck changing challenges that lie ahead. earlier this fall doing brake inspections “The ATA Comp Fund looks forwith Alabama Law Enforcement ward to growing and strengthening Agency troopers and Federal Motor our partnership with ATA under Carrier Safety Administration agents.

Mark’s leadership. We hope to present “I want to understand all aspects and a united front, not just to our current nuances of the industry,” he adds. and future membership, but to the enTelling the story of truckers and tire industry. The opportunities that their importance in Alabama and beMark has already created, and the yond is a big theme for Colson, and manner in which he exudes passion for he’s constantly reaching out to do so. success, create an excitement in me He tells of a recent meeting he had in personally. Based on the discussions we Birmingham with some financial exechave had – and will continue to have – utives who may have changed their we are setting the path for the comminds a bit about the trucking indusbined successes of both organizations.” try when he told them about the wide Colson agrees. He views the indusrange of jobs and pay scales. try as a team sport, with companies “One of the hardest things to do is competing in the marketplace, but change people’s perceptions, but we coming together to work on issues that want to reshape what it means to be a Colson observes a recent brake inspection by an Alabama Law Enforcement are common to all. “We’re competitrucker in Alabama,” Colson says.

Agency trooper. tors, but we come together under the He mentions another meeting with ATA banner on the same team,” he an ATA member when a human resays. “The truth is, we can’t accomplish fall meeting personally with each of ATA’s source manager he met during a visit said, much of anything unless we work together, 50-plus board members, usually stopping “Look at me, I’m a trucker!” and the more (members and involvement) by their operations for lunch or a meeting “I said ‘Amen, I’m a trucker, too!’” Colson we have, the stronger we are.” and often a tour of the facilities. But he’s says. “She was right: We are all truckers, and Colson looks forward to carrying that atalso making it a point to meet with other we need to be extremely proud of that. titude over into the business trade associaindustry participants, including drivers, Frankly, we need to tell everyone that the tion community in Montgomery, too. trucking industry is doing amazing “That’s a priority,” he says, citing the things for Alabama’s economy, its workneed to work collaboratively with force, and the public at large — and other groups for additional tort reform we’re doing it safely and professionally.” in the state. “Overzealous plaintiffs atColson says he’s also excited about torneys are a problem for our industry. the ATA Foundation’s work and the Just look at the spike in insurance opportunities that are possible through rates. We can’t control what (trial that venture. In fact, the Foundation’s lawyers) do in a TV commercial, but work has been spotlighted this fall we can fight back by telling our story through its successful college football and working together with other staketelevision advertising campaign. holders who care about this issue.”

“I get pumped up at 2:30 on college Colson says that despite losing key football Saturdays,” Colson excitedly organizational knowledge and experishares about the experience. “After our ence with Filgo and longtime ATA ad runs my phone blows up with calls, staffer Jane Nixon, both of whom retexts, and emails. It is truly making an tired in August, the staff is experienced impact” and successful. He’s also excited about Regulatory advocacy, tort reform, bringing in the Association’s new fibusiness networking, recruiting a funance director, Cindy York. ture workforce, safety issues and always “Our talented team is focused on esadding value are just a few of the chaltablishing operational excellence so lenges Colson wants to tackle as he that we can take care of the day-to-day leads the organization into 2020. work efficiently allowing us to take on “I love the energy of ATA,” Colson new issues, provide greater value, and says.

“It’s time to shift Alabama’s Colson wants to promote the industry as a leading jobs creator. Part of that look in new directions,” Colson says. trucking industry into high gear and push is the ATA Foundation’s Diesel Tech Scholarship program. Above, he As Colson observes and learns more poses with Kyle Keck (center), an ATA Foundation scholar at Wallace State move Alabama forward.”

Community College, ATA’s Tim Frazier (left) and Wallace State President about ATA, and the vast industry it Ford Boswell contributed to this Dr. Vicki Karolewics. serves, he’s been hitting the road this article.

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A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

Expressing Concern Trucking executives rank their top concerns in annual survey.

By Ford Boswell The American Transportation Research Institute, the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research institute unveiled its annual “Top Industry Issues” report in October, which includes a list of the top ten critical issues facing North America’s trucking industry.

For the third year in a row, the driver shortage is the top-ranked issue for trucking fleets, as they struggle to recruit and retain qualified drivers.

The Hours-of-Service rules held on to the No. 2 issue in the survey for a second consecutive year, reflecting the industry’s call for additional flexibility in the rules, particularly the sleeper berth provision.

However, two new issues appeared on this year’s list for the first time ever, ones that also impact the industry’s ability to recruit and retain qualified drivers: Driver Compensation and Detention and Delay at Customer Facilities.

Driver Compensation ranked third overall and represents two sides to a complex issue; motor carriers who have raised driver pay significantly over the past year in response to the driver shortage and drivers who are concerned that their pay has not kept pace with inflation.

Driver detention at customer facilities, making its debut at No. 4 on this year’s list, reflects growing concern over excessive delays that create cascading impacts for drivers’ hours-of-service compliance, compensation, and ability to find safe, available truck parking.

The lack of available truck parking rounds out the top five issues on this year’s list but ranks 3rd among commercial driver respondents after compensation and HOS rules.

The complete results of the annual survey, which generated more than 2,000 responses from motor carriers and commercial drivers, were released in October at the 2019 American Trucking Associa10

tions’ Management Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, Calif.

Now in its 15th year, the ATRI Top Industry Issues report also includes prioritized strategies for addressing each issue.

“While 2018 was an incredible year for trucking, we’ve seen some challenges in 2019 and certainly finding and retaining qualified drivers remains at the top of the list for our industry, said Barry Pottle, ATA Chairman and president and CEO of Pottle’s Transportation. “ATRI’s analysis reveals the interconnectedness of these top issues and provides a roadmap for how motor carriers and professional drivers believe we should move forward as an industry.”

A Look at the Rankings No. 1 - Driver Shortage American Trucking Association’s Bob Costello estimates the industry currently needs about 60,000 drivers and that could swell to 100,000 by 2025. Costello, ATA’s senior economist, says while compensation is part of the solution, increasing pay alone won’t solve the problem. He also believes the apprenticeship programs to bring 18- to 21-year-old drivers to the profession will only serve as a band-aid solution. Some industry experts say better equipment, more home time with a better work-life balance must also be part of the equation.

No. 2 - Hours-of-Service Same old, same old. Concern over the Hour of Service rules has ranked as a top issue for more than a decade. The main concern now is with the sleeper-berth provision.

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

No. 3 - Driver Compensation

No. 7 - ELD Final Deadline

For the first time since the survey started, driver compensation made the list. It’s a huge revelation as it confirms what many believe: that most drivers are not adequately compensated, especially for non-driving time, such as waiting at the dock or being slowed or stopped by congestion. If the wheels aren’t rolling, drivers aren’t getting paid. Experts contend that may need to change.

The final deadline for fleets to transition from automatic onboard recorders (AOBRDs) to electronic logging devices is still raising concerns for carriers and independent operators, particularly smaller operations who waited to make the switch. Truth is, the well-managed operations have long since made adopted ELD technology. For those who waited until the last minute, low equipment stock and delays from ELD suppliers await. This concern will eventually fade away as more adopt the technology.

No. 4 – Detention and Delays Following up on No. 3, driver frustration with detention time continues to grow, placing it high among the concerns for both drivers and motor carriers. Detention has “a direct nexus to many of the other issues among the top 10 including HOS, driver compensation, truck parking and the ELD mandate,” ATRI states. According to submitted surveys, drivers reported a 27.4 percent increase in delays of six or more hours between 2014-18. Detention time cost drivers and carriers about $1 billion annually – yeah, you read that correctly: $1 billion annually.

No. 5 - Truck Parking Here in Alabama, all you have to do is look at on- and off-ramps along Interstate exits after hours to see an overflow of parked trucks.

A lack of adequate truck parking has plagued the industry for years, oftentimes placing drivers in dangerous situations while adding to occupational dissatisfaction and stress. And it’s only getting worse as the industry brings in more drivers.

No. 6 - Driver Retention As a concern, driver retention seems to have leveled. According to ATRI, this is partly a result of “…lower turnover rates to the driver pay increases many fleets have put in place to attract and retain qualified drivers.”

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No. 8 - Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) This one continues to slide down the list. “However, the industry is still waiting to fully understand how CSA will perform and rate motor carrier performance,” ATRI said.

No. 9 – Infrastructure Concerns and Funding Adequate funding for infrastructure is always a concern, and despite the Trump Administration’s initial promises to make it a priority, not much has changed. ATRI research estimates that congestionrelated delays increased the trucking industry’s fuel consumption by 6.87 billion gallons in 2016; adding an additional $15.74 billion to its fuel bill.

No. 10 - Economy Concerns Softer freight market, a trade war with China, and the continued wait for ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are among the reasons the economy made this year’s list.

While National ATA’s Bob Costello adds that a slowing global economy is a threat, yet he does not “see a recession around the corner.”

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Cybersecurity Best Practices We see stories in the news almost daily about companies’ systems being attacked or crippled by malware. No company or industry is immune to these attacks, including the trucking industry. We want to be sure that you are taking important steps to safeguard your system because the “bad guys” have definitely upped their game and are not going away. We want to share some industry advice about what we all need to be doing now, at a minimum, to potentially protect ourselves and the steps to take when an attack happens.

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Immediate Safety Recommendations Here are some recommended changes you MUST be sure are in place NOW: 1. Make sure your nightly backup is stored off your network.

Do not just back up your data to another server or another drive on your network. You must also backup your data off your network.

We have seen cases in the last year where malware encrypted the production data AND the data backup because they were on the same network.

2. Make sure you do not have an open RDP port that will accept a connection from any IP address. This is a common method of entry for malware attackers. Implementing a VPN connection is much safer. If you cannot go that far, you must at least white list the IP addresses from which you will accept connections.

3. Set your login accounts to lock after 10 unsuccessful login tries. Since attackers use automated software to “brute force” entry A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

by trying hundreds of thousands of login IDs and passwords, disabling an account after only a few unsuccessful attempts can help to potentially thwart such an attack.

4. Strengthen your passwords. Change the defined password policy to require users to have at least a 12-character password using letters, numbers, and special characters. Users should also be required to change their password every 90 days.

5. Educate your entire staff on malware awareness. We have seen estimates that between 65% and 95% of malware security incidents could be prevented by educating users. Many incidents are caused by a user clicking a bad web site link or a malicious email attachment.

Hackers have determined that social engineering can be more effective than technical attacks against infrastructure. Today there are many options for in person training as well as on line training. [Examples: ThreatAdvice, SecureIT360, Wombat, KnowB4, etc.]

6. Make sure you have cybersecurity insurance. Many Information Technology experts will tell you that it is not a matter of if, but when, you will experience a security breach.

7. Make sure your operating system software, firewalls, and network routers are a currently supported version, and that you have installed all security updates (patches). For most sites, this means being sure you are on Windows Server 2012 R2 or higher and SQL Server 2014 or higher. Security updates should be tested and installed weekly, or at most every 30 days, from when they become available.

The recommendations above are the ones you MUST implement NOW to avoid being a “sitting duck” for malware. Most of these recommendations are not difficult to accomplish. Do not delay making sure that you have them in place.

Additional Safety Recommendations Here are some additional recommendations steps you can take to further enhance security and potentially mitigate the effect of an attack: 1. Install end point protection software. This software monitors processes on your network. It can identify and quarantine malicious processes as they start to run and potentially preventing damage from an attack. [Examples of software Cylance, CrowdStrike, Carbon Black, etc.]

2. Install an image or snapshot backup solution. This solution should be capable of making virtual snap shots or bare metal images of your servers each night. These backup methods should be independent of the main network to enable a faster restore process.

3. Back-up database transaction logs once an hour to an off site location. This would potentially allow you to restore to the point in time during the day when a hardware failure or malware attack occurred.

4. Contract with an outside firm that offers 24x7 Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring of your network. This provides around the clock monitoring of processes on your network with live operators who respond to alerts to any suspicious access or A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

processes on your network.

5. Install software that filters all email and web sites for malware. This is not a 100% guarantee on malware prevention, but it can help tremendously. [Examples of email filtering software: Mimecast, Proofpoint, etc.] [Examples of web filtering software: Barracuda Networks, BlueCoat, etc.]

6. Do not allow users to check their personal email accounts on the company network. Users may be more likely to click a malicious link on their personal account allowing your entire operation to be affected.

7. Turn off all Read/Write network shares. Once malware is present, it is commonly spread by open network file shares. Turn off all unnecessary file shares or change them to read-only.

8. Secure all user accounts. Limiting general user administration to only utilize software and functions that users need is a step in denying an attacker the ability to spread an attack from a compromised user’s login. This step should also prevent end users from arbitrarily installing software (which could be unknowingly malicious) without IT approval.

9. Secure domain administration accounts. Set up role-based security to allow or disallow administration accounts from easily being accessible. These types of accounts are generally exploited by an attacker from traversing the network. This would include methods like Multifactor Authentication (MFA) and Privilege Access Management (PAM) solutions.

10. Perform yearly Internet Penetration test. Contract with a cybersecurity firm to perform a penetration attempt on your systems. This will assist in the identification of known internet vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit.

11. Monitor systems logs. Monitoring firewall, server, and other network equipment logs will allow visibility of after hour activity, failed login attempts, or higher than average network traffic over network ports, indicating a potential cyber attack. In addition, you should preserve all logs for 13 months for historical purposes.

12. Create an Incident Response plan (IR). Be prepared! Create an incident response plan. This plan should include preparation, identification, containment, eradication, and recovery solutions.

When writing the IR, you should identify vendors that would assist during a cyber attack. Many security vendors will provide a retainer with guarantees of assistance when requested.

13. Totally isolate guests or employees that bring their own devices from the main business network.

14. Do not allow unauthorized network access to devices that are plugged into a network port.

15. Create separate networks for different systems such as a camera, security or other systems that do not directly interface with a company’s main business. Fewer devices on the core network equate to less exposure to unnecessary risks.

This article is re-used by permission. Copyright © 2019 McLeod Software®. All rights reserved.

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SAFETY & MAINTENANCE Safety Insights

Capping Off Another Great Year Tim Frazier Director of Safety & Member Services

‘By all measures, ATA and SMMC events this past year were, to say the least, fantastic and well-exceeded expectations.’

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I

t’s the time of year when many of us attempt to wrap up the busy season, reflect on a few accomplishments, and prepare to kick off a brand-new year.

The Alabama Trucking Association and its Safety and Maintenance Management Council (SMMC) have had a tremendous 2019, and we look forward to an even greater 2020.

But wow! Saying 2020 is a little overwhelming realizing how fast time flies by. Who would have thought (those of us old as dirt, that is) when we were watching Dick Tracy talk to his wristwatch that it would become a reality? With that in mind, let’s have a look back over a fast year and what events we’ve seen unfold.

By all measures, ATA and SMMC events this past year were, to say the least, fantastic and well-exceeded expectations. Our fleet safety awards banquet in March, our annual convention in April, our TDC in May, our mock trial in August, our seminar in September, our HUGE golf tournament in September, and the many other meetings throughout the year have been tremendous. Through member participation and support of our gracious sponsors, we have had the opportunity to accomplish all these activities with great success.

High among our accomplishments was a seamless transition for a leadership change at the Association. After working with one of the best of the best in association management, Frank Filgo, our staff has had the pleasure over the past six months to welcome our new President and CEO, Mark Colson. This transition has exceeded the expectations for an anxious staff, and we look forward to a bright and promising future for ATA. I’ve had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Mark traveling around the state meeting our members. He never meets a stranger and our members are truly pleased to have him leading our industry. If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet Mark, I encourage you to reach out to him in the days ahead.

Another highpoint for the year was our ATA Foundation awarding six scholarships to A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

MANAGEMENT COUNCIL NEWS some of Alabama’s most promising diesel technician students. With guidance from Dr. Vicki Karolewics and Suzanne Harbison at Wallace State Community College, we worked with the state’s community college system in developing ATA’s diesel tech scholarship program. This promises to be a great service to our industry as it faces a critical shortage of qualified techs. A couple of these scholars graduated last semester and are already working and thriving in the industry. As our scholarship program grows, we look forward to more graduates being available in 2020.

Looking ahead, one of the largest changes our industry has faced in quite some time is around the corner. The new FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse goes into effect January 6, 2020. We’ve had a couple fantastic seminars regarding this rule and many of our members have attended and left the meetings with valuable educational information. Tommy Eden with Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophett and Danny Cooner and Liz Slater with Safety First recently provided valuable information regarding the regulations and pitfalls in this new rule. Their presentations to our safety councils are available at our website www.alabamatrucking.org. If you need a hard copy of those, please give the office a call at 334-834-3893.

Meanwhile, if you haven’t yet registered your company and drivers with the Clearinghouse, I encourage you to get your program in compliance before January 6, 2020.

You can find the registration information at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Lastly, I also encourage each of all safety, maintenance, and HR managers to get involved with the SMMC in 2020. You will receive meeting notices, regulatory guidance, and event information that may not be reaching you if you are not an SMMC member. This vast group of managers have many years of experience and are great connections to network with. Many times, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with members to gain knowledge and information that sometimes comes only from practice and experience. In 2020 get involved, get connected, and PARTICIPATE. As we wrap up an eventful year, I thank our members for their support of our mission and programs this year. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope you all have a successful and prosperous 2020. See you next year!

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A high percentage of vehicles parked during recent Brake Safety Week

From Sept. 15-21, 2019, inspectors conducted 34,320 commercial motor vehicle inspections as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week and placed 4,626 vehicles out of service after critical brake-related conditions were identified during roadside inspections.

Most commercial motor vehicles inspected (86.5 percent) did not have any critical brake-related inspection item violations.

During a roadside inspection, if an inspector identifies critical vehicle inspection item violations, he or she will render the vehicle out of service, which means those violations must be corrected before the vehicle may proceed. 13.5 percent of the commercial motor vehicles inspected during Brake Safety Week were removed from roadways specifically for brake-related vehicle inspection item violations.

Sixty jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S. participated in this year’s Brake Safety Week.

In the U.S., 49 jurisdictions conducted 31,864 roadside inspections and placed 4,344 (13.6 percent) commercial motor vehicles out of service due to brake-related violations. In Canada, 11 jurisdictions conducted 2,456 roadside inspections and 282 (11.5 percent) commercial motor vehicles were placed out of service for brake-related violations.

“Inspectors conduct more than 4 million roadside inspections every year and checking brake components is just one element of the inspection procedure inspectors perform on commercial motor vehicles every day,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “This inspection and enforcement event remind drivers and motor carriers of the importance of properly functioning brakes and spotlights the work done by inspectors, motor carriers and drivers every

day to keep our roadways safe by ensuring vehicles are in appropriate working condition.”

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, highway crash fatality data for 2018, there was a 2.4 percent decline in overall fatalities, the second consecutive year of reduced crash fatalities. However, conversely, for 2018, large-truck related fatalities increased by 0.9 percent.

“While we applaud the decrease in the overall number of fatalities on our roadways last year, we’re alarmed by the increase in the number of large-truck-related fatalities,” said Sgt. Samis. “CVSA conducts high-profile, high-visibility enforcement events, such as Brake Safety Week, to reduce the number of fatalities occurring on our roadways.

Roadway safety is our number one priority and we will continue our efforts to improve brake safety throughout North America.”

Brake Safety Week is an inspection, enforcement, education and awareness initiative that is part of the Operation Airbrake Program sponsored by CVSA in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators.

ATA’s Safety & Maintenance Council honored for excellence The American Trucking Associations has awarded the Alabama Trucking Association’s Safety & Maintenance Management Council with its Summa Cum Laude status in its recent State Association Recognition Program.

ATA’s safety program was selected by an independent panel of fleet professionals and managers, who compared submissions of similarly sized associations for depth and breadth of the effectiveness of initiatives, events, and programs.

ATA’s Director of Safety Tim Frazier said winning the award is validation of the hard work of the SMMC leaders and members at large. “Our safety council is blessed to have a dedicated group of safety and maintenance professionals who donate time and resources to ensure Alabama’s trucking industry is among the nation’s best,” he said.

“We’d love for more ATA members to get involved with our group. To get to know Continued on page 16 15

ALEA, ATA honor state’s top driver’s license examiner

News these folks and to be able to call upon their expertise is worth much more than the cost of annual dues. They are doing important work on behalf of our industry, and quite frankly, they are the reason our SMMC enjoys its outstanding reputation.”

ATA’s SMMC is composed of safety and maintenance professionals from dozens of Association member companies. These men and women contribute daily to highway and workplace safety by sharing their extensive knowledge and experience for the benefit of the entire organization.

The group holds monthly meetings to provide up-to-date information on innovations in technology, proposed and finalized federal and state regulations, and a wide variety of other timely subjects.

Other SMMC activities, such as the annual Alabama Truck Driving Championships and Courtesy Roadside Inspections,

Each fall the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency honors top employees from its Driver License Div. for top job performance and dedication to customer From left, ATA Director of Safety Tim Frazier; Col. Charles Ward, Department of Public Safety; service.

Alabama Examiner of the Year, Nicole Robinson; Capt. John Archer, Driver License Div.; Chief Alabama Deena Pregno, Driver License Div., and ATA President Mark Colson.

Trucking Associations leaders Mark Colson and Tim Frazier were in Montgomery on November 5th to congratulate the Agency’s 2019 Driver License Examiner of the Year Award recipient Nicole Robinson of the ALEA’s South Region. The award, now in its 24th year, is cosponsored by the Alabama Trucking Association.

“On behalf of the Alabama Trucking Association, I am proud to congratulate Ms. Robison for her dedication to serving the people of the great state of Alabama,” Colson said. “It’s because of her and the many talented people working with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency that we honor their efforts to providing Alabamians with timely services, such as providing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and other documents, to allow them to stay on schedule and provide for their families. We’re grateful for the agency’s efforts and our close working relationship with its leaders.”

Award finalists included Wendy Collett of North Region and Shari Rutter of Central Region. According to ALEA officials, coworkers nominate examiners for exemplary customer service and for going above and beyond throughout the year.

ATA has sponsored the award for more than a decade.

Continued on page 20

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A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

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And that’s good for your bottom line

News give members an opportunity to participate in programs that spread the Association’s message of highway safety far and wide and keeps members stay informed on the everchanging climate of the trucking industry.

SMMC leaders will be honored during National ATA’s Safety, Security & Human Resources National Conference & Exhibition next April in Indianapolis, Ind.

Four Star managers honored with national recognition Two sales managers at Four Star Freightliner, Inc. have been named “Elite Trip Winners” in the Freightliner Leland James Sales Program.

This is the seventh consecutive win for Truman Ingram, Four Star Freightliner Utility & Municipal Account Manager.

And for the first time, sales manager Jay Morrison was also named an “Elite Trip Winner.” Last year Morrison was named an

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“Elite Award Winner” for his exsistent, hard work pays off. cellent sales efforts.

“Truman Ingram is a consumThe Leland James Sales Achievemate professional,” said Kocan. ment program, named after the “He partners with his customers to founder of Freightliner, recognizes get the most out of the relationthe best sales representatives and ship. This is his seventh time he has managers in the Freightliner Dealer been honored with this award and Network. The awards are based on he earns it every day.” units sold.

Freightliner is taking the award Truman Ingram Morrison, who works primarily recipients on a luxurious trip to out of the Dothan, Ala. location, is Four the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. In addiStar Freightliner’s Western Star Brand Mantion to Ingram and Morrison, David Turnager. He also sells new and used trucks. er, Four Star Freightliner’s New Truck Sales “Jay barely missed receiving this honor the Manager, will also travel to St. Kitts as a repast two years but not this year,” said Jerry ward from Freightliner.

Kocan, Four Star Freightliner Dealer Princi“David Turner has been with me shoulpal. “I believe it speaks to Jay’s persistence and der-to-shoulder for 19 years and I could not his ability to grow his customer base year after be happier for him,” said Kocan. “He has year. He is a great example of how building built a sales team and is dedicated to traintrust with your customers leads to earning ing and developing people the right way. their business long term.”

David is the type of leader I would like to Morrison and Ingram are two of work for and follow. You will not only 32 Elite “Trip” Winners in find a more generous and kinder North America who were recogperson and I am proud that he nized for their sales excellence, leads our Sales Team. customer service and industry I am also very happy for their leadership. families and most especially their Ingram has been with Four Star spouses that make major sacrifices Freightliner for more than ten years and would like to thank and conand works from the Montgomery, gratulate Claire Ingram, Frannie Ala. location. He is proof that con- Jay Morrison Morrison and Dr. Julie Turner.”

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

Created in 2003 and named after Freightliner Trucks’ founder Leland James, the Leland James Sales Achievement Program recognizes and rewards outstanding sales professionals from dealerships in the United States and Canada.

Birmingham Freightliner adds Fuso Trucks to its product line Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America has announced the newest Fuso sales, service and parts center at Birmingham Freightliner in Birmingham, Ala., marking the third Fuso franchise for Birmingham Freightliner’s parent company, Peach State Truck Centers.

“We are very excited that another Peach State Truck Centers location is adding the Fuso brand,” says Peter Young, director of dealer network development, MFTA. “Birmingham Freightliner is an outstanding champion of Daimler truck brands and we are confident new Fuso customers will see superior customer service from this Birmingham location.”

With the addition of medium-duty Fuso trucks to its product portfolio, Birmingham Freightliner now offers a full lineup of Class

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

3 to 8 trucks. Fuso trucks will expand the powertrain selection to include a gasoline engine option along with Freightliner’s diesel powertrains.

As a full-service dealership for Fuso, Birmingham Freightliner’s customers will have access to new Fuso trucks, parts and service. This dealership supports its products with a 21-bay service center, which has a collision center. Other service offerings include same-day service and mobile repair service, the company says.

“Fuso trucks perfectly fit into our product lineup,” says Chris Bisanz, general manager, Birmingham Freightliner. “The addition of the popular Fuso cabover, mediumduty truck allows our truck owners to add another Daimler truck brand into their existing Freightliner fleet.”

DOL issues Final Rule on overtime pay Earlier this fall, the U.S. Dept. of Labor announced a final rule to make 1.3 million American workers newly eligible for overtime pay.

The final rule updates the earnings thresholds necessary to exempt executive, administrative and professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime pay requirements and al-

lows employers to count a portion of certain bonuses/commissions towards meeting the salary level. The new thresholds account for growth in employee earnings since the thresholds were last updated in 2004.

In the final rule, the Department is raising the “standard salary level” from the currently enforced level of $455 per week to $684 per week (equivalent to $35,568 per year for a full-year worker); raising the total annual compensation requirement for “highly compensated employees” from the currently enforced level of $100,000 per year to $107,432 per year; allowing employers to use nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments (including commissions) paid at least annually to satisfy up to 10% of the standard salary level, in recognition of evolving pay practices; and revising the special salary levels for workers in U.S. territories and the motion picture industry. The final rule is effective on January 1, 2020.

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ROUNDUP T RU C K I N G I N D U S T RY

ATA’s Call on Washington: Pushing trucking’s national agenda

By Ford Boswell WASHINGTON, D.C. – Alabama Trucking Association leaders were at the nation’s capitol last month (November 13-14) for its annual Call on Washington, a legislative affairs program of the American Trucking Associations that provides state trucking association executives, leadership, business leaders, and staff an opportunity to discuss important legislation and regulations affecting the industry with Members of Congress, key congressional staff, federal regulators, and fellow industry leaders.

ATA has participated in the program for the past three years, sending dozens of members and other stakeholders to further promote the trucking industry’s interests and misFrom left, Rep. Bradley Byrne, Daniel Wright, Rep. Robert Aderholt, Rep. Marth Roby, Andrew Linn, sion on Capitol Hill.

Mark Colson, Annette McLeod, Tom McLeod, Rep. Mo Brooks, Greg Brown, Gary Palmer, Fenn This year’s delegation included ATA Chairman Tom Church and Wayne Watkins.

McLeod, accompanied by his wife Annette; ATA Immediate Past Chairman Fenn Church; State Vice President to the American Trucking Associations Greg Brown; Past Chairman Wayne Watkins; ATA board members at large Andrew Linn and Daniel Wright; and ATA staffers Mark Colson and Brandie Norcross.

The trip began with a meeting with Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, who has been an important ally for the trucking industry’s quest for vast infrastructure improvements and funding. Here in Alabama, his leadership has led to several new construction and improvements, particularly at the Port of Mobile.

The following morning, the group was briefed on key issues and talking points from National ATA’s Legislative Affairs and Lobbying team before visiting with top state Congression- The delegation also met with Senator Richard Shelby to thank him for his leadership in improving Alabama’s infrastructure, especially with the recent expansion of the Port of Mobile. Left to right are al leaders, including a lunch meeting and facetime with Rep. ATA staffers Mark Colson and Brandie Norcross; ATA Chairman of the Board Tom McLeod and his Bradley Byrne; Rep. Gary Palmer; Rep. Martha Roby; and wife Annette; Sen. Shelby; Wayne Watkins; Daniel Wright; and Greg Brown.

Rep. Mo Brooks, all of whom had an impressive grasp of issues facing trucking. ATA’s delegation specifically highlighted transington is an excellent tool to educate elected officials on important portation infrastructure funding, which the trucking industry has matters for trucking. “Our trip was successful on many levels,” said been on record for years in support of sustainable, long term funding McLeod. “Trucking faces many (obstacles), and looking ahead, we for the federal-aid highway program through increased fuel taxes at used this time to inform our Members of Congress about important both the state and federal level; and tort reform, a key issue for the inissues affecting us heading into the next decade. Topics such as tort dustry going forward. reform, which is a top priority for trucking. One of the points made The group also promoted measures for workforce development, induring our time with Chris Spear and his staff (at the American cluding a pilot program for interstate truck drivers to include those Trucking Associations) is that tort reform will be a long battle — and under 21 with previous military experience and civilian drivers under much of the fight will take place at the state level. A trip like this is so 21 who have a CDL and meet other minimum qualification stancrucial in informing our political leaders to get the ball rolling.” dards. ATA leaders further described the industry’s continued support ATA’s representative for the American Trucking Associations for the creation of an apprenticeship program that would train 18-21Greg Brown added that congress hears daily from National ATA’s year-old CDL holders to drive trucks in interstate commerce. ATA talented team of lobbyists, but it’s also important for them to hear supports efforts aimed at reducing states’ CDL skills-testing delays from their constituents from back home. “Talking directly to the and creating career pathways in trucking for veterans and youth who folks back home most impacted by policy, these leaders create and are neither in school or work. vote on powerful means of growing support for legislation that ATA Chairman McLeod said that National ATA’s Call on Washtruly matters,” Brown said.

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A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

National ATA’s Spear asks industry to focus on solving future challenges American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear urged the Federation to work together, and with anyone who is willing to work with trucking, to continue shaping a strong, positive future for Chris Spear the industry.

“As an association that puts its members, industry and country first, we must always adhere to the value of working with anyone willing to work with us. Since becoming your President and CEO, ATA’s focus on your priorities has been relentless, posting key wins… from federal tax reform to the preemption of California’s duplicative meal and rest break requirements,” Spear said at the ATA’s 86th Management Conference & Exhibition last October. “These results contribute to a growth environment.”

Working with lawmakers and officials from both sides of the political divide, as

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

well as with the many parts of an industry as diverse as trucking is critical to achieving success on behalf of the industry.

“The fact is, the relationships ATA has with the House and Senate — and both governing parties – are real, strategic and impactful,” he said. “The right-wing and left-wing belong to the same bird. And as an association that puts its members, industry and country first, we must always adhere to the value of working with anyone willing to work with us. We do that and we soar.”

In looking ahead, Spear said it was crucial to trucking, in addition to continuing to make progress key issues like trade and infrastructure, to address looming challenges now like the driver shortage, tort reform and relaxation of laws surrounding recreational marijuana, so ATA can shape solutions that benefit the industry.

On the shortage, Spear said ignoring or denying the existence of the shortage is not an option, and there are a number of potential solutions including allowing younger drivers to obtain a commercial license with improved oversight and safety training, working to improve access to affordable health care and wellness programs that keep our employees healthy and recruiting drivers from underrepresented and non-traditional demographics.

“Let me be clear, poaching talent from other carriers is not a sustainable growth strategy,” he said.

Spear also cited new work to be done in the arenas of tort reform and the industry’s response to a few states legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

“Eleven states, DC and Canada have now legalized the recreational use of marijuana… all while our federal government turns a blind eye. You can just see the trial lawyers – sitting on the edge of their high, wing-back leather chairs – drooling over the thought of more legal ambiguity,” he said.

“We can’t just sit back and hand them yet another opportunity to litigate our industry.

That’s why we’re announcing the first meeting of ATA’s new Controlled Substances, Health and Wellness Subcommittee. We need a member-led policy platform that helps lawmakers, regulators and courts make informed decisions about the impact substance abuse is having on safety and interstate commerce.”

Those decisions, he said, should include moving forward on completing the federal clearinghouse of drug and alcohol test results, hair follicle testing and research into a roadside test for impairment from marijuana.

Finally, Spear told ATA’s members that Continued on page 24

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ROUNDUP T RU C K I N G I N D U S T RY

the Federation was making “tort reform a tier-one priority at the state and federal level.”

“We will continue to grow the ATA Litigation Center and increase the number of lawsuits. And we will back our state association executives that pursue ballot initiatives – going state-to-state to fight… until we have won,” he said.

To read Spear’s full speech, visit trucking.org.

ATA Comp Fund donates $10,000 to Alabama Trucking Foundation During a recent meeting of the Alabama Trucking Association Foundation Board of Directors in Montgomery, ATA Comp Fund Chief Executive Officer Kimble Coaker and Chief Operating Officer Todd Hager presented Foundation President Terry Kilpatrick a check for $10,000 to add to the Foundation’s growing coffers.

“We fully support the Foundation’s mission and recent work to promote Alabama’s

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trucking industry as a leader in highway and workplace safety and provider of jobs and a quality of life for thousands of hardworking Alabamians,” said Hager, as he handed the check to Kilpatrick. “We look forward to helping the Foundation achieve its goals for many years to come.”

Created in 2018, the ATA Foundation supports and complements the efforts of the Alabama Trucking Association. According to its mission statement, the Foundation is committed to making a valuable impact on the important work of the Association, which includes serving Association members in a variety of ways, as well as advancing the industry’s needs and its public image in Alabama and beyond.

The ATA Foundation is the 501(c)3 charitable arm of the Alabama Trucking Association. It is dedicated to advancing highway safety; investing in meaningful research for Alabama trucking industry; providing scholarships to young adults seeking a trucking-related career; and creating an effective, ongoing image campaign for the trucking industry.

“We are extremely grateful for the Fund’s donation,” said Kilpatrick. “With this donation along with the other many donations we have received from ATA members the past two years, we are excited to bring

positive energy and momentum to Alabama’s trucking industry.”

Gov. Ivey awards $18.7 million for infrastructure improvements Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $18.7 million in grants for improvements in 58 Alabama communities. The funds from the Community Development Block Grant program will enable communities to provide water, improve roads and sewage systems, construct public community buildings and remove blight.

“Community Development Block Grants are vital to Alabama communities wanting to raise living standards and improve living conditions for their residents,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these grants, and I commend all those local leaders who, by seeking these grants, show they have their communities at heart.”

The competitive grants are awarded annually in several categories including county, large city, small city and community enhancement. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of HousContinued on page 26

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

ing and Urban Development.

“As a former mayor, I know how valuable these grants are to communities and I also realize the time and effort that local leaders, planners and residents invest in obtaining funding,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to have a role in this process that will benefit communities all across Alabama.”

Road and bridge grants awarded and projects include:

phase of a downtown revitalization project. l Marengo County – $350,000 to pave five roads.

Southeast Alabama Level Plains – $250,000 to provide street and drainage improvements along Faith Street and Phyllis Avenue.

Opp – $450,000 to provide sewer system line improvements along Dr. Martin Luther King Drive from Cannon Drive to Hardin Street.

North Alabama l Hackleburg – $85,000 to provide improvements along four streets, including widening and paving or sealing.

Southwest Alabama l Brewton – $450,000 to renovate or replace dilapidated sewer lines along multiple streets. l Castleberry – $350,000 to replace aging and undersized water lines and improve streets in various sections of the town. l Choctaw County – $350,000 to resurface multiple roads in the northeast part of the county. l Flomaton – $201,115 to resurface several roads within the city to reduce safety hazards. l Monroeville – $450,000 to replace sewer lines along multiple streets in the west part of the city. l Pennington – $350,000 to resurface 5.5 miles of road in various locations within the city.

North Central Alabama l Ashland– $350,000 to provide road and drainage improvements and water upgrades. l Blount County – $350,000 to improve three roads totaling eight miles north of Blountsville. l Fayette County – $250,000 to improve water lines and provide road resurfacing in an area west of the town of Belk.

South Central Alabama l Forkland – $350,000 to upgrade water lines and improve two streets. l Lanett – $250,000 to complete the final

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l Silas – $350,000 to improve drainage and resurface streets at several locations within the city.

ATA Board member Wesley Dunn appointed to state small business commission Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth has appointed RangeWay Carriers managing member Wesley Dunn of Birmingham to serve on the Alabama Small Business Commission (ASBC), an ad- Wesley Dunn visory group of independent business owners responsible for advising government entities.

The Commission consists of 30 appointed members who own or operate businesses with 50 or fewer employees. The group meets quarterly to formulate policies, encourage innovation and discuss issues critical to the economic growth of small independent businesses and their interests in the state of Alabama. The commission also proContinued on page 28

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vides technical assistance and serves as an information resource to the small business commission as they explore best practices and areas of reform including current rules, regulations and existing state statutes.

“The majority of trucking companies in Alabama are small businesses,” says Alabama Trucking Association President and CEO Mark Colson. “Our industry is fortunate that someone of Wesley’s quality has been selected

by Lt. Governor Ainsworth to bring his perspective to this important commission.”

Dunn is a graduate of the University of Alabama and a recent graduate of the American Trucking Associations’ LEAD ATA program.

He also serves on the Alabama Trucking Association board of directors.

RangeWay Carriers LLC is a for-hire trucking company catering to the lower 48 states. Its fleet is a blend of company trucks as well as a dedicated force of owner-operators to provide the greatest balance to our customers and drivers. The operation offers a mix of flatbeds, extendable flatbeds, stepdecks, double drops, double drop extendable and van trailers.

For more information on the ASBC, visit atlasalabama.gov/.

BR Williams gives a local woman the ride of her life

Palomar Insurance celebrates 65th anniversary Palomar Insurance Corp., one of the nation’s leading insurance agencies, celebrates 65 years of service to its customers this month.

Founded in 1954, Palomar has grown from offering only home and auto insurance roots to become a leader in commercial, agriculture, transportation and employee benefits insurance.

Palomar officials say they are proud to have operated as a privately held independent agency for 65 years. Since 1992, George Skipper has guided Palomar from its small agency beginnings to its prominence in national and international risk management.

With corporate headquarters in Montgomery, Palomar has offices in Birmingham, Mobile and Troy, Alabama and Kennesaw, Georgia.

“Establishing and nurturing relationships has been instrumental to our success,” says Palomar CEO Tony Craft. “We are incredibly proud of the long-term relationships we’ve built with our employees, our clients and carriers. I think that says a lot about how we do business.”

Whether serving a multinational corporation or small family business, Palomar is dedicated to delivering insurance products and risk management services that support client success— over the next 65 years and beyond.

that and simply raise her to the door level,’” he said.

And on October 24, the big ride hapAn Alabama trucking company BR pened when Haywood, along with two of Williams Trucking of Oxford, Ala. recently her children, Jana and Keith, and their played a huge role in fulfilling a 95-year-old spouses, arrived at BR Williams’ terminal in woman’s dream of riding in a Oxford to make the short big truck. journey of a lifetime.

As company Vice PresiHaywood was lifted in dent of Transportation Operthe cage provided by the ations Jack Brim explains, “I shop and beamed with joy was exhibiting at a local as she sat inside the 2017 Chamber of Commerce red Volvo and be at the event last October when I wheel of the semi was who was approached by a woman else, but Jack Brim. who wanted to surprise her Brim drove the semi mother with a ride in a big south on Alabama Hwy. 21 red truck,” he said. “The reto the town of Munford, apquest just touched my heart, proximately 10 miles oneand I told her we’d make it way, before turning around happen.” and driving back.

However, there were Brim said he’ll never forsome logistics involved to get the look on Haywood’s ensure Helen Haywood face during the short drive.

Enjoying the ride: Helen Haywood and would be safe, and the team “I can’t tell you how sweet Jack Brim at BR Williams quickly she was, and the look on her went to work to find solutions. Brim credits face!” Brim said. the minds in the shop for helping Haywood He said at that moment, he could see Ruth get in and out of the truck safely.

Williams (the company’s co-founder) “smiling “Our shop folks said, ‘Not a problem! down from Heaven” as her company continWe have a cage that we use for high, offued her goal of serving others. the-ground projects, so we can put her in Brim said Haywood’s family kept saying 28

how thankful they were to the BR Williams team for making this happen, but it was the trucking company who received the blessing.

“She gave us a reminder of how proud we need to be in what we do and the industry we serve,” Brim said.

ATRI reports on rising operational costs The American Transportation Research Institute today released the findings of its 2019 update to “An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking.” Using detailed financial data provided directly by motor carriers of all sectors and fleet sizes, this “Ops Costs” research annually documents and analyzes trucking costs from 2008 through 2018.

ATRI’s analysis provides industry stakeholders with an essential benchmarking tool and government agencies with input on industry finances necessary for comprehensive transportation planning and infrastructure improvement analyses.

ATRI’s newest 2019 Ops Costs report documents the extremely robust economic environment that carriers and drivers experienced in 2018, but these same economic conditions put considerable upward pressure on nearly every line-item cost center experienced by carriers.

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

The average marginal cost per mile incurred by motor carriers in 2018 increased 7.7 percent to $1.82. Costs rose in every cost center except tires, with fuel costs experiencing the highest year-over-year growth of 17.7 percent. Not surprisingly, insurance costs saw the second-fastest year-over-year growth at 12 percent. As a strategic response to the severe driver shortage that existed in 2018, driver wages and benefits increased 7.0 and 4.7 percent, respectively – representing 43 percent of all marginal costs in 2018.

Repair and Maintenance (R&M) costs, at 17.1 cents per mile in 2018, have increased 24 percent since 2012 – a counterintuitive increase considering the record sales of new trucks and trailers. From 2012 to 2018, overall motor carrier operational costs have increased more than 11.6 percent – exceeding the 10.8 percent inflation rate for that same time period.

ATRI’s 2019 report again includes an “Industry Sector in Focus” analysis for tank fleet operators.

“ATRI’s 2019 Operational Costs research highlights the extent of the cost increases our industry experienced in 2018. Savvy carriers will continue to use this cost data as a benchmarking tool, and to better educate our customers on the financial and operating pressures our industry faces,” said Jerry Sigmon, Executive Vice President of Cargo Transporters, Inc. “The new 2019 report also gives us important explanations and hints on how to better manage the cost volatility we’ve been experiencing.”

Since its original publication in 2008, ATRI has received over 16,000 requests for the Operational Costs reports.

ATA Comp Fund adds two staffers The ATA Comp Fund is pleased to announce two recent hires to its growing staff of risk insurance managers.

First is Suzy Baker who came on board as claim manager in October. She comes to the Fund from Vulcan Materials in Birmingham, where she served as a claims supervisor for their Corporate Risk Div. “Suzy is an exceptional addition to Suzy Baker the Fund staff due to her extensive knowledge and background of managing workers’ compensation claims A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

in Alabama, as well as other states,” said COO Todd Hager.

As claim manager, she will spearhead the Fund’s dedicated, third-party claim units, managing claims for its Alabama and multistate Cross Border programs. She brings more than 11 years of workers’ compensation claims experience with Vulcan Materials Co. and HealthSouth Corp. She holds a Bachelor’s in Human Resources Management from Georgia State University and earned Certified Workers’ Compensation Professional certification from Michigan State University.

Another new face is Rachel Bigley who started in November as a senior underwriter. Bigley comes to the Fund with more than 12 years of underwriting experience, having worked with two other work- Rachel Bigley ers’ compensation group funds in Alabama. In her new role, Rachel will work as part of the Fund’s underwriting team on both new and renewal business as we continue to expand our program and capabilities.

Rachel obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Huntingdon College in 2010 and holds a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation and Property and Casualty insurance license.

agency serving a niche industry, but the couple clearly identified goals, stuck to them, and now, five years later the business is doing well thanks to a mom-and-pop shop work-ethic and dedication to its growing customer base.

The Carlisles each hold bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration with a concentration in Risk Management and Insurance from Troy University and offer several years of experience working in the field. The started the fledgling agency from scratch with a small loan from a family member, a solid business plan, and a dedication to providing small- to medium-sized fleet operations with specially tailored insurance and risk management programs for transportation-related risks.

“When Morgan and I began discussing the idea of starting our own firm, we consulted with some heavy hitters in this industry, and we were warned many times that it would be very difficult to start an insurance business from scratch,” Brett says.

“Building an agency from the ground up in this business is almost unheard of these days, but we’re beyond excited for our success and the agency’s potential for future growth.”

The agency’s niche is providing insurance services to smaller trucking operations in mostly in Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. According to Brett, the pillars of the company’s success lies in its cautious selection of clients, a strong team, commitment to the trucking industry, and providing accessibility and service to customers.

“Being a smaller agency, we thrive on oneon-one customer services,” he says. “That’s one of the reasons we are so selective with TransRisk celebrates a mileour clients. We know the market we serve stone best, and we stay within those boundaries to ensure we exceed our clients’ Back in the fall of 2014, needs and expectations. If Brett and Morgan Carlisle you have my attention, you left successful jobs at separate have my energy.” transportation insurance TransRisk, LLC is a businesses to strike out on multi-line property and catheir own to form a new insualty insurance agency surance firm, TransRisk, LLC based in Troy, Ala. Although of Troy, Ala. it offers various personal The firm this month celeand commercial lines insurbrates its fifth anniversary, ance products its primary and while the owners aren’t focus is providing tailored completely surprised at the insurance and risk manageagency’s success, they are ment programs for transmore than happy with the portation-related risks. Tranaccomplishment of reaching sRisk, LLC officials say they an important milestone in can design an affordable inthe face of adversity. surance policy that will proThe decision was a true vide appropriate protection leap of faith that flew directly that complies with all govin the face of conventional ernment agencies and conwisdom for an insurance tracts.

Brett and Morgan Carlisle 29

PO Box 242337 • Montgomery, AL 36124 • Phone: (334) 834-3983 • Fax: (334) 262-6504

Application For Membership Motor Carrier: ___

Private: ___

Household Goods: ___

Allied Industry: ___

Your Dues Amount: $ __________________ (please fill in by using dues chart) Firm Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________ Address: (Box)________________________________(Street) ____________________________________________ City, State & Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________ DOT Number: ______________________________________ Number of Trucks: __________________ __________ Telephone: (______) ____________________ Fax (______) ____________________ 800/ ______________________ Website Address:

________________________________________________________________________________

Type of Business: ________________________________________________________________________________ Official Representative : ________________________________Title: ______________________________________ Email address:

__________________________________________________________________________________

Alternate Representative: ________________________________Title: ______________________________________ Email address:

__________________________________________________________________________________

Signed: ________________________________Date: ________Referred by: ________________________________ CONTRIBUTIONS OR GIFTS TO THE ALABAMA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION, INC., ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE AS CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS. HOWEVER, A PORTION OF YOUR DUES ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE AS ORDINARY AND NECESSARY BUSINESS EXPENSES.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY CODE # _________________ Date _________________________

Mbr Type ____________________

Nxt Bill Date __________________

Check # ______________________

Dues Cat _____________________

AL Sen ______________________

Dues Amt ____________________

Freq _________________________

AL Hse ______________________

Mbr Class ____________________

Exp Date _____________________

CG Dist ______________________

MAG ______ MC ______ GC ______ YR ______ LTR/PLQ ______ RSL ______ BC ______

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019

31

Schedule of Membership Dues (Effective July 1, 2017)

A. For-Hire Motor Carriers (Membership dues are based on truck count; maximum of $4,000) $500 plus $20 per truck

B. Private Carriers (Schedule based on miles traveled in Alabama) $300 ..............................for up to 1 million miles $600 ..............................for 1,000,000 up to 4 million miles $900 ..............................for 4,000,001 up to 7 million miles $1,200 ...........................for 7,000,001 up to 10 million miles $1,500 ...........................for 10,000,001 up to 13 million miles $1,800 ...........................for 13,000,001 miles up to 16 million miles $2,100 ...........................for 16,000,001 up to 19 million miles $2,400 ...........................for 19,000,000 up to 21 million miles $2,800 ...........................for 21,000,000 up to 24 million miles $3,100 ...........................for over 24 million miles

C. Household Goods Carriers (Schedule based on intrastate revenue only) $420 ..............................for under $100,000 $480 ..............................for $100,001 up to $150,000 $540 ..............................for $150,000 up to $200,000 $660 ..............................for $201,001 up to $250,000 $780 ..............................for $250,001 up to $300,000 $900 ..............................for $300,001 up to $400,000 $1,200 ...........................for $400,001 and over

D. Allied Industry (Those who service and equip the trucking industry) $600 annually

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT – The amount of dues paid by individual members of the Alabama Trucking Association is confidential information and is not subject to publication. Dues information can only be released by ATA to the principal representative of the member in question, and requests by other persons or parties will not be honored. Members are strongly urged to honor this privacy statement and to not share their confidential dues information with other ATA members or the general public.

2019 ATA Buyer’s Guide

We make every effort to ensure this list is correct. For changes or corrections to your company’s listing, contact

Alabama Trucking Assn.’s Buyer’s Guide lists those companies that have taken an active role in supporting Alabama’s trucking industry by becoming members of the Association. We ask that each time you plan a purchase that you consult this guide and give ATA members the opportunity to gain your business. These companies proudly support your association and deserve your support, as well.

ADVERTISING/PUBLISHING Randall-Reilly (205) 349-2990 www.randallreilly.com

ENGINE MANUFACTURERS Cummins Sales & Service (901) 488-8033 www.salesandservice.cummins.com

Pitts Media (205) 792-1280 www.pittsmedia.com

EQUIPMENT LEASING CB Repair & Trailer Maintenance, Inc. (205) 338-0943

AUTO DEALER (SERVICE OR REPAIR) Faucett Motors of Boaz, Inc. (256) 593-7162

KLLM/Equipment Solutions LLC (205) 515-1478 www.equipmentsolution.com

BUS SALES & SERVICE Southland Transportation Group (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Transportation South, Inc. (205) 663-2287 www.thebuscenter.com Ward International Trucks, LLC (251) 433-5616 www.wardintltrucks.com

CHEMICAL PRODUCTS Rushing Enterprises, Inc. (334) 693-3318 www.rushingenterprises.com COMMUNICATIONS/ELECTRONICS J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com Netradyne (833) 476-9663 www.netradyne.com Omnitracs, LLC (615) 594-7565 www.omnitracs.com Orbcomm, Inc. (703) 433-7763 www.orbcomm.com Peloton Technology (650) 395-7356 www.peloton-tech.com SmartDrive Systems (858) 225-5551 www.smartdrive.net Trimble Transportation (407) 347-5121 www.mobility.trimble.com

DRIVER STAFFING ProDrivers (334) 391-2715 www.prodrivers.com TransForce, Inc. (205) 916-0259 www.transforce.com Transportation Support, Inc. (205) 833-6336 www.transportationsupport.com

EDUCATION & TRAINING Central Alabama Community College (256) 215-4301 www.cacc.edu J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com JP Transportation Safety Consulting, LLC (205) 329-8182 (205) 945-8550 www.jptsc.com Transportation Safety Services (251) 661-9700 www.transportationsafetyservices.com Vertical Alliance Group, Inc. (205) 585-3895 www.infinitiworkforce.com

Metro Trailer Rental (205) 985-8701 www.metrotrailer.com Premier Trailer Leasing (205) 680-3184 Reliable Trailer Sales, Inc. DBA Storage Trailers of Alabama (205) 808-0042 www.storagetrailersal.com Southern Truck & Equipment, Inc. (251) 653-4716 www.southerntruck.net Southland Transportation Group (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com

BMO Transportation Finance (770) 960-6307 www.BMOTF.com Comdata (615) 376-6917 www.comdata.com Commercial Credit Group, Inc. (704) 731-0031 www.commercialcreditgroup.com Corporate Financial Services, LLC (334) 215-4499 www.cfs401k.com Crestmark Bank 615-620-3509 www.crestmark.com Electronic Funds Source, LLC (615) 777-4619 www.efsllc.com FirstBank (256) 970-1618 www.firstbankonline.com First Tennessee Bank (615) 734-6046

AssuredPartners of Alabama (205) 823-2300 www.assuredpartners.com

Carlisle Medical, Inc. (251) 344-7988 www.carlislemedical.com

BancorpSouth Insurance Services, Inc. (334) 386-3317 www.bxsi.com

ErgoScience, Inc. (205) 879-6447 www.ergoscience.com

The Baxter Agency (334) 678-6800 www.baxteragency.com

J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com

Benton & Parker Insurance Services (770) 536-8340 www.bentonandparker.com

Safety First-Div. of Behavioral Health Systems (205) 443-5433 www.safetyfirstdrugtesting.com

Caribou Insurance Agency, Inc. (205) 822-7577 www.caribouins.com Cottingham and Butler (563) 587-5521 www.cottinghambutler.com Farris Evans Insurance Agency, Inc. (901) 274-5424 www.farrisevans.com Great West Casualty Co. (865) 392-3752 www.gwccnet.com Hudgens Insurance, Inc. (334) 289-2695 www.hudgensinsurance.com

NON-PETROLEUM FUEL PRODUCTS Pivotal LNG (404) 783-3550 www.pivotallng.com PETROLEUM PRODUCTS Davison Fuels & Oil (251) 544-4511 Jack Green Oil Co., Inc. (256) 831-1038 Kimbro Oil Company (615) 320-7484 www.kimbrooil.com Major Oil Company, Inc. (334) 263-9070 www.unitedfoodandfuel.com

Hudson Insurance Company (317) 810-2038 www.hudsoninsgroup.com

Myers Oil Company, Inc. (954) 938-7211

JH Berry Risk Services, LLC (205) 208-1238 www.jhbrisk.com

RelaDyne (205) 384-3422 www.reladyne.com

National Bank of Commerce (205) 422-7111

Liberty Mutual Group (804) 380-5169 www.libertymutual,com

Shell Oil Products US (601) 529-7244 www.shell.com

Vacuum Truck Rentals, LLC (205) 277-6190 www.vactruckrental.com

People’s Capital & Leasing Corp.

(205) 856-9354 www.peoples.com

Lyon Fry Cadden Insurance (251) 473-4600 www.lyonfrycaden.com

The McPherson Companies (205) 661-4400 www.mcphersonoil.com

EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING Daehan Solution Alabama, LLC (334) 301-3498

People’s United Equipment Finance Corp. McGriff Insurance Services (205) 664-9374 (334) 674-9810 www.puefc.com www.mcgriffinsurance.com

W.H. Thomas Oil Co., Inc. (205) 755-2610 www.whthomasoil.com

Eaton Corp./Roadranger Field Marketing (334) 398-1410 www.roadranger.com

PNC Bank N.A. (205) 421-2764 www.pnc.com

McGriff, Siebels & Williams, Inc. (205) 583-9641 www.mcgriff.com

EQUIPMENT PARTS/ACCESSORIES Dothan Tarpaulin Products, Inc. (800) 844-8277 www.dothantarp.com

ProBilling and Funding Service (256) 736-4349 www.probfs.com

Joe Morten & Sons, Inc. (865) 392-3844 www.joemorten.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Accounting Firms: Aldridge, Borden & Co. (334) 834-6640 www.aldridgeborden.com

Progress Bank (205) 527-5692 www.myprogressbank.com

One Beacon (609) 613-0010 www.onebeacontransportation.com

Renasant Bank (334) 301-5955 www.renasantbank.com

Palomar Insurance Corp.

(334) 270-0105 www.palomarinsurance.com

ServisFirst Bank (205) 949-3433 www.servisfirstbank.com

PR Companies (334) 836-1377 www.partnerwiththeexperts.com

Signature Financial, LLC (423) 290-9986

Regions Insurance, Inc. (501) 661-4880 www.regions.com

Star Leasing Co. (205) 763-1280 www.starleasing.com Trailer Sales of Tennessee A Fleet Equipment Co. (615) 259-3301 www.trailersalesoftennessee.com

Imperial Supplies LLC (920) 490-6707 www.imperialsupplies.com Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems 334/798-0080 www.arvinmeritor.com Paccar Parts/Kenworth (206) 898-5541 www.paccarparts.com www.trpparts.com Southern Truck & Equipment, Inc. (251) 653-4716 www.southerntruck.net Star Truck Parts (205) 324-4681 Thermo King of B’ham-Dothan-MobileMontgomery-Chattanooga (205) 591-2424 www.midstatetk.com W.W. Williams (205) 252-9025 (334) 279-6083 www.wwwilliams.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES Bank of America Merrill Lynch (205) 298-7467 www.fa.ml.com/RPM

Hancock Whitney Bank (251) 665-1667 www.hancockwhitney.com IBERIABANK (251) 345-9676 www.IBERIABANK.com

Trucking Partners, LLC Sales Agency & Factoring (256) 737-8788 www.truckingpartners.com

Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP (317) 580-2068 www.ksmcpa.com Warren Averett (256) 739-0312 www.warrenaverett.com

Attorneys: Adams and Reese LLP (251) 650-0861 www.adamsandreese.com Austill, Lewis & Pipkin, P.C. (205) 870-3767 www.maplaw.com

Reliance Partners, LLC (877) 668-1704 www.reliancepartners.com

Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C. (205) 572-1462 www.bakerdonelson.com

Trustmark Bank (205) 995-4615 www.trustmark.com

TransRisk, LLC (334) 403-4114 www.transriskllc.com

Ball, Ball, Matthews & Novak, P.A. 334-387-7680 www.ball-ball.com

Wells Fargo Equipment Finance (314) 374-2165 www.wellsfargo.com

Turner & Hamrick L.L.C. (334) 566-7665 www.turnerhamrick.com

Burr-Forman LLP (205) 458-3393 www.burr.com

INSURANCE Aon Risk Solutions (501) 374-9300 www.aon.com/transportation

York Risk Services Group (205) 581-9488 www.yorkrsg.com

Carr, Allison, Pugh, Howard, Oliver & Sisson, P.C. (251) 626-9340 www.carrallison.com

Aronov Insurance, Inc. (205) 414-9575 www.aronovinsurance.com

MEDICAL/DRUG & ALCOHOL SERVICES Alabama Specialty Clinic (256) 736-1460 www.ascoccupationalhealth.com

Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophette, LLP (205) 252-9321 www.constangy.com

(Current as of 12-2-19)

Brandie Norcross at bnorcross@alabamatrucking.org.

DeLashmet & Marchand, P.C. (251) 433-1577 www.delmar-law.com

Pitts Media (205) 792-1280 www.pittsmedia.com

Mann Automotive Diesel, Inc. (334) 792-0456 www.mannautomotivediesel.com

Gulf City Body & Trailer Works, Inc. (251) 438-5521 www.gulfcity.com

Ryder Vehicle Sales LLC (205) 492-2428 www.usedtrucks.ryder.com

Ferguson, Frost, Moore & Young LLP (205) 879-8722 www.ffmylaw.com

Porter Billing Services LLC (205) 397-4079 www.porterbillingservices.com

Rowe Management Corp.

(205) 486-9235 www.rowemachinery.com

Gulf Coast Truck & Equipment Co. (251) 476-2744 www.gulfcoasttruck.com

SelecTrucks of Alabama (205) 322-6695 www.selectrucksofalabama.com

Fisher & Phillips, LLP (404) 231-1400 www.fisherphillips.com

Power South Energy Cooperative (334) 427-3207 www.powersouth.com

Southern Truck Center, Inc. (205) 226-0880 www.southerntruckcenter.com

R C Trailer Sales & Service Co., Inc. (205) 680-0924 www.rctrailersales.net

Southland Transportation Group (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com

Friedman, Dazzio, Zulanas & Bowling, P.C. (205) 278-7000 www.friedman-lawyers.com

PR Companies (334) 836-1377 www.partnerwiththeexperts.com

Star Leasing Co. (205) 763-1280 www.starleasing.com

Reliable Trailer Sales, Inc. DBA Storage Trailers of Alabama (205) 808-0042 www.storagetrailersal.com

Taylor & Martin, Inc. (662) 262-4613 www.taylorandmartin.com

PrePass (931) 520-7170 www.prepass.com

Thompson Tractor Company (205) 244-7812 www.thompsontractor.com

Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC (251) 432-5511 www.handarendall.com

QuikQ LLC Hill, Hill, Carter, Franco, Cole & Black, P.C. (678) 591-4675 (334) 834-7600 www.quikq.com www.hillhillcarter.com SET Logistics, Inc. James M. Sizemore, Jr. (205) 849-6309 (334) 215-9330 www.setlogistics.net Porterfield, Harper, Mills, Motlow, Ireland PA (205) 980-5000 www.phm-law.com

Soar Payments LLC (888) 225-9405 https://www.soarpay.com/moving-company-merchant-account/

Speegle, Hoffman, Holman & Holifield, LLC (251) 694-1700 www.speeglehoffman.com

Spectrum Environmental Services, Inc. (205) 664-2000 www.specenviro.com

Starnes Davis Florie LLP (205) 868-6000 www.starneslaw.com

Other Services: Allstate Beverage (251) 476-9600 Ext. 1231 Ancra Cargo (800) 233-5138 www.ancracargo.com C Cross Logistics, LLC (205) 759-1818 Corporate Billing, LLC (256) 584-3600 www.corpbill.com Drivewyze (780) 461-3355 www.drivewyze.com

Swift Supply, Inc. (251) 929-9399 www.swiftsupply.com Tax2290.com/ThinkTrade Inc. (866) 245-3918 www.tax2290.com Team One Logistics (770) 232-9902 www.teamonelogistics.com TMW Systems, Inc. (440) 721-2260 www.tmwsystems.com Transportation and Logistical Services, Inc (205) 226-5500 www.tlsincorp.com Transportation Billing Solutions, LLC (205) 788-4000

W.W. Williams (205) 252-9025 (334) 279-6083 www.wwwilliams.com

TIRE DEALERS & MANUFACTURERS Best One Tire & Service (615) 244-9611 www.bestonetire.com Bridgestone Commercial Solutions (205) 514-8341 www.commercial.bridgestone.com Butler Industrial Tire Center, Inc. (334) 376-0178 Columbus Tire Company dba Complete Tire and Service (706) 321-8133 www.columbustireco.com Continental Tire North America (662) 549-7570 www.continental-truck.com Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (708) 557-3406 www.goodyeartrucktires.com McGriff Tire Co. (256) 739-0710 www.mcgrifftire.com McGriff Treading Co., Inc. (256) 734-4298 www.mcgriffindustries.com Michelin North America (859) 661-0855 www.michelintruck.com

Transportation Compliance Services, USA (228) 872-7160 Wilks Tire & Battery Service, Inc. www.dottrucksafety.com (256) 878-0211 www.wilkstire.com Transportation Safety Services JP Transportation Safety Consulting, LLC (251) 661-9700 Snider Fleet Solutions (205) 329-8182 www.transportationsafetyservices.com (336) 691-5499 (205) 329-8183 www.sniderfleet.com www.jptsc.com Trucking Partners, LLC Sales Agency & Factoring Southern Tire Mart Lytx DriveCam, Inc. (256) 737-8788 (251) 457-9915 (858) 430-4000 www.truckingpartners.com www.stmtires.com www.lytx.com Repairs: Yokohama Tire Corp.

M & N Transport, Inc. Big Moe Spring & Alignment of (317) 385-2611 (256) 657-5161 B’ham, Inc. www.yokohamatire.com (205) 780-0290 Max Coating, Inc. www.bigmoespring.com TRAILER DEALERS/ (205) 849-2737 MANUFACTURERS www.maxcoating.com Birmingham Frame & Alignment, LLC C & C Trailers, Inc. (205) 322-4844 (334) 897-2202 MCG Workforce birminghamframeandalignment.com (251) 652-5244 Dorsey Trailer, LLC www.mcgworkforce.com Carrier Transicold South (334) 897-2525 (404) 968-3130 www.dorseytrailer.net McLeod Software www.ctsouth.com (205) 823-5100 Empire Truck Sales, LLC www.mcleodsoftware.com Childersburg Truck Service, Inc. (601) 939-1000 (256) 378-3101 www.empiretruck.com Metro PictureWorks, Inc. www.childersburg-truck.com (205) 252-0304 Fleetco, Inc. www.metropictureworks.com Coffman International Trucks (615) 256-0600 (334) 794-4111 www.fleetco.net Motor Carrier Safety Consulting www.coffmaninternationaltrucks.com (205) 871-4455 Fontaine Fifth Wheel NA Eufaula Trucking Co., Inc. (205) 421-4300 North American Commercial Vehicle (334) 689-8586 www.fifthwheel.com Show (773) 796-4250 Lazzari Truck Repair, Inc. Great Dane www.nacvshow.com (251) 626-5121 (205) 324-3491 www.lazzaritruckrepair.com www.greatdane.com J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. (920) 722-2848 www.jjkellerservices.com

Southeast Trailer Mart, Inc. (404) 361-6411 www.stmtrailers.com

Trojan Industries, Inc. dba Lyncoach Truck Bodies (334) 566-4330 www.lyncoach.com

Southland Transportation Group (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com

Truckworx Kenworth - Birmingham (205) 326-6170 www.TRUCKWORX.com

Star Leasing Co. (205) 763-1280 www.starleasing.com

Truckworx Kenworth – Dothan (334) 712-4900 www.TRUCKWORX.com

Transport Trailer Center (334) 299-3573 www.transporttc.com

Truckworx Kenworth – Montgomery (334) 263-3101 www.TRUCKWORX.com

Utility Trailer Sales of Alabama LLC (334) 794-7345 www.utilityalabama.com

Truckworx Kenworth – Mobile (251) 957-4000 www.TRUCKWORX.com

TRUCK DEALERS, MANUFACTURERS Truckworx Kenworth – Huntsville Action Truck Center (256) 308-0162 (334) 794-8505 www.TRUCKWORX.com www.actiontruckcenter.com Truckworx Kenworth – Thomasville Alabama Freightliner (334) 636-4380 (205) 322-6695 www.TRUCKWORX.com www.birminghamfreightliner.com Volvo Trucks North America Birmingham Freightliner (336) 508-4950 (205) 322-6695 www.volvotrucks.volvo.com www.birminghamfreightliner.com Ward International Trucks, LLC Capital Volvo Truck & Trailer (251) 433-5616 (334) 262-8856 www.wardintltrucks.com www.capitalvolvo.com Wholesale Equipment Sales, Inc. Coffman International Trucks (256) 423-5990 (334) 794-4111 www.wholesaleequipmentsales.com www.coffmaninternationaltrucks.com TRUCK & EQUIPMENT AUCTIONEERS Daimler Trucks NA LLC Insurance Auto Auction, Inc. (803) 554-4831 (478) 319-8574 www.freightliner.com www.iaai.com Empire Truck Sales, LLC (601) 939-1000 www.empiretruck.com

Taylor & Martin, Inc. (662) 262-4613 www.taylorandmartin.com

Fitzgerald Peterbilt (205) 379-8300 www.fitzgeraldpeterbilt.com

TRUCKSTOPS Love’s Travel Stops, Inc. (405) 202-4451 www.loves.com

Four Star Freightliner (334) 263-1085 (Montgomery) www.fourstarfreightliner.com Long Lewis Western Star (205) 428-0161 www.longlewistrucks.com Mack Trucks, Inc. (678) 201-4770 www.macktrucks.com Navistar (813) 382-3113 www.internationaldelivers.com Neely Coble Co. (256) 350-1630 www.neelycoble.com Nextran Truck Centers (205) 841-4450 www.nextrancorp.com Peterbilt Motors Company (615) 208-1800 www.peterbilt.com Rush Truck Center-Mobile (251) 459-7300 www.rushofmobile.com

Pilot Flying J Centers (865) 207-3874 www.pilotflyingj.com TravelCenters of America/Petro Shopping Centers (678) 591-4675 www.Ta-Petro.com

VEHICLE LEASING Penske Truck Leasing (757) 603-2853 www.gopenske.com Southland Transportation Group (205) 942-6226 www.southlandtrucks.com Vacuum Truck Rentals, LLC (205) 277-6190 www.vactruckrental.com Ward International Trucks, LLC (251) 433-5616 www.wardintltrucks.com

ATA

NEW MEMBERS & EVENTS

New Members (as of 12-2-19) Bank of America Merrill Lynch Birmingham, Ala. Chad Richey Brown Trucking Co. Lithonia, Ga. Kristene Turner Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophette, LLP Birmingham, Ala. Richard Brown

Corcentric Cherry Hill, NJ Brett Petersen

Hancock Whitney Bank Mobile, Ala. Angela Dunn

Dependable Tank Line Highland Home, Ala. Brian Duke FirstBank Huntsville, Ala. Joy Boggs

J & J Transports of Alabama, Inc. Haleyville, Ala. Rickey Witts

Reliance Group, LLC Birmingham, Ala. Don Boatright

Top Jocks, Inc. Huntsville, Ala. Terence Griffie

Southern Tire Mart Mobile, Ala. Reggie Williamson

Town Creek Land and Timber Highland Home, Ala. Brian Duke

Thompson Tractor Co. Birmingham, Ala. Ben Seales

Netradyne San Diego, Calif.

Chris Silver

Volume Transportation, Inc. Conyers, Ga. Larry Sellers

Events ATA Board of Directors Meeting Jan. 28, 2020 Montgomery, Ala. ATA Foundation Dinner Jan. 28, 2020 Montgomery, Ala.

SMMC Fleet Safety Awards March 23, 2020 Pelham, Ala.

ATA Annual Convention April 23-25, 2020 Destin, Fla.

SMMC Spring Courtesy Roadside Inspection TBA, April 2020 Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Alabama Truck Driving Championships May 29, 2020 Pelham, Ala.

A

Alabama Trucker (AT), the official publication of the Alabama Trucking Association (ATA), is an award-winning trade publication highlighting the Association's activities while documenting the business environment of the day.

AT is published quarterly and distributed to more than 2,500 trucking executives, regulatory officials, and political figures.

Want to reach decision makers at more than 1,500 Alabama-based trucking firms? Consider this: Advertising in AT reaches the most concentrated readership of trucking professionals in the state. Our rates are affordable, but on top of that, your helping ATA send positive messages about one of the state's largest employers.

Contact Ford Boswell at fboswell@alabamatrucking.org or 877-277-TRUK (8785) For More Information

I

N D E X

ADVERTISER

PG. NO.

PH. NO.

ATA WCSIF

BC

(334) 834-7911

www.atacompfund.org

The Baxter Agency

20

(800) 873-8494

www.baxteragency.com

Birmingham Freightliner

IBC

(205) 322-6695

www.birminghamfreightliner.com

Carrier Transicold South

25

(205) 328-7278

www.ctsouth.com

Great West Casualty

30

(800) 228-8053

www.gwccnet.com

International Trucks

IFC

(800) 844-4102

www.navistar.com

McGriff Insurance

21

(334) 674-9803

www.McGriffInsurance.com

Nextran Truck Center

7

(800) 292-8685

www.nextrancorp.com

Palomar Insurance

16

(800) 489-0105

www.palomarins.com

R.E. Garrison

24

(800) 643-3472

www.regarrison.com

Snider Fleet Solutions

3

(800) 528-2840

www.SniderFleet.com

Southern Tire Mart

17

(877) STM-TIRE

Southland Transportation Group

26

(205) 254-1821 southlandtransportationgroup.com

Truckworx Kenworth

9

(800) 444-6170

www.truckworx.com

Turner & Hamrick

23

(888) 385-0186

www.turnerhamrick.com

18-19

(205) 755-2610

www.thomasoil.com

WH Thomas Oil Co. 36

D V E R T I S I N G

ATA Board of Directors Meeting & Officer Installation June 23, 2020 Montgomery, Ala.

WEB ADDRESS

STMTires.com

A LABAMA T RUCKER • 4 TH Q UARTER 2019