CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
DON DECKER, Outgoing IMTA Chairman
DON DECKER
2017 IMTA Chairman
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IOWA TRUCKING LIFELINER
As my year as IMTA’s Chairman of last several months, member events have the Board ends, I have had some time been held throughout the state and the to reflect on my involvement with IMTA turn out and support by the members was not only over the last 12 months but more tremendous. Another testament to the importantly over the last several decades. many fine people that IMTA represents Decker Truck Line joined IMTA in 1982 and serves. and while many things have changed since The gala that we held in Des Moines then, the one thing that has continued to was a fitting end to a year of festivities stay the same is the way people support and once again illustrated the class, grace, and enthusiasm that IMTA members have this organization. It is refreshing and gratifying to wit- for this industry and association. It was an evening I will never forget. ness this fact. That was apparent in 1986 when I was While this industry continues to face Chairman of the board and deregulation its share of challenges and hurdles, we are was threatening to change everything we also recognized for our tenacity and perthought we knew about the industry and severance, two important attributes that how to run a trucking company. Initially, will continue to be valuable as we move the association led the charge in opposition forward. The same guiding principles that against deregulation but once it became are at the heart of IMTA and its efforts. a reality, IMTA leaders I thank you for your determined that our best support of the associaWHILE THIS course of action was to tion and its many efforts recruit and assist all the and I especially thank INDUSTRY you for the tremendous new trucking CEOs that CONTINUES TO were entering the market. respect and valuable FACE ITS SHARE OF Throughout that period, input you extended to CHALLENGES AND IMTA reported some of me as your Chairman of HURDLES, WE ARE the highest membership the Board. I urge you to ALSO RECOGNIZED totals in its history with continue to stay involved, informed, and engaged in over 1500-member comFOR OUR TENACITY panies on the memberAND PERSEVERANCE, the efforts of IMTA. ship roster. You r cont i nued TWO IMPORTANT Over time, we saw involvement is key to our ATTRIBUTES THAT ongoing success. many companies exit WILL CONTINUE TO I am appreciative of the industry and yet BE VALUABLE AS WE my staff and associates support for IMTA never MOVE FORWARD. waned. That in itself is at Decker Truck Line for a powerful testament to their commitment and this association. assistance in allowing me And just like in 1986, today’s member- the opportunity to provide this important ship is engaged, active, and supportive of leadership to the IMTA once again. I am IMTA’s efforts and activities. It is an honor especially grateful to my family for the and a privilege to have been allowed to understanding and support they gave me serve in this capacity not only once but this past year in my capacity of Chairman twice and I have thoroughly enjoyed my of the Board of the IMTA. I look forward to our continued work year as Chairman of the Board. It was especially rewarding because together and am confident that IMTA will we were celebrating the 75th anniver- continue to be effective in being the recogsary of our association. Throughout the nized voice for Iowa’s trucking industry.