T L A President’s Message

It has been busy. If I am being honest, it has been a little stressful. But most of all, it has been a really fun journey. I am a little sad to get to the end of my term. It has been an honor to serve an organization with members who care so much about it. They uphold the tradition of excellent continuing education, camaraderie and true collegiality that embodies the TLA. There are so many people that have supported me as President of this organization, and who have worked to ensure that everything was done with a minimum number of hiccups and hitches. I have been surrounded by legions of well-wishers ready to lift me up and encourage me as the year progressed. The encouragement felt at times undeserved when I hadn’t really done anything except delegate to people who do a good job for a living. The encouragement and compliments were given all the same because these individuals care about the TLA and instinctively wanted to motivate me to do my best in service of this wonderful organization. In the February TTL , I said that the first glass of wine on the beach at the annual meeting, next to the bonfire, is on me. I meant it. Please make sure you stop by and let me buy or pour you a glass. You can find grace in so many people, places and events in life. After a year as President, and years moving up the ladder, I can say with confidence that grace has taken up residence in the TLA and I have been blessed to experience it.

It seems that there is so much more to do and that needs to be done within the TLA. I plan to keep on doing. I know that I pass the baton, or more accurately the gavel, into good hands. “El Capitan” or “El Jefe Numero Uno” Eric Benton has been actively involved in my term making sure I didn’t screw everything up before he took over. Eric will do a phenomenal job as President and I look forward to supporting him in any way possible. He is followed by an incredible group of officers in “Steady as She Goes” Kathy Garber, “Always Challenge, Innovate and Improve” Louis Amato-Gauci, and “Open Arms and Hugs A-Lot” Jeff Pincus. They all bring wonderfully complementary talents to the leadership table for the TLA and I am excited to see them succeed. I have had the benefit of advice and counsel from a wonderful group of Past Presidents in Kathleen Jeffries, Greg Summy, Marc Blubaugh, Dirk Beckwith and John Wilcox , who have been good friends and advisors. The fuel that cranks the TLA engine is Jill Gabbert and Rebecca Pierucci. Jill and Rebecca work hard to make sure we get the most out of every event and I am so thankful for them.

Of course, the really important people, the folks that made my year happen and made me look good were my program committee chairs. I can’t thank Beata Shapiro and Dan Sonnenborn enough for their incredible work on the TLI in Boston. Awesome! Then you have Rob Reeb, Laura Gordon and Bill Taylor who ignited the Chicago Regional Conference and almost surpassed Past President Jeff Simmon’s Chicago Conference attendance record. Last, but not least, Kristin Johnson and Stevan Baxter are my comic-con heroes who have leapt tall buildings and overcome supervillains to create a terrific annual program. They have led a hardworking committee comprised of Chris Cotter, Joelle Nelson, Justin Olsen, Peter Quinter, Bridgette Blitch, Melissa Thompson, Cameron Roberts, Hillary Booth, Tom Martin, Matt Koch, Jason Orleans, Judson Price, Virginia Price, Bradley Bertkau, Alex Karcher, Paul Custer, Clark Monroe, Richard Grant , Beata Shapiro, Paul Mello, Chris Merrick , Clark Monroe and Greg Reed. I thank each of them for their hard work.

I also want to mention substantive and administrative committee chairs who have done their jobs incredibly well during my term. As always, Fritz Damm and Patrick Foppe carried the torch, doing the valuable foundational work for the Membership Committee. Stephen Dennis continued to ensure great webinars. Kristin Johnson and Greg Reed have led the way with the New and Young Attorney’s Committee. Bill Pentecost , Melissa Richardson and Bridgette Blitch impressed with the Motor Carrier Transportation Committee, Andrew Danas , Jeremy Handschuh and Jol Silversmith educated many with the Antitrust and Unfair Trade Practices Committee, Dustin Paul shined as the chair of the Maritime Committee, Rick Steinberg was as always dependable, on time and dynamic in his leadership of the Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights Committee, Curtis Cornett and Jeremy Handschuh were active with the Commercial and Business Litigation Committee, Peter Quinter and Kurt Gerstner have really made the International Trade and Transportation Committee an important part of the TLA, Jameson Rice as chair of the Rail Committee made the committee active and relevant and Paul Mello as chair of the Labor and Employment Committee just could not get enough of AB5 and continuing education. They have all done incredible jobs as committee chairs and deserve consideration for future leadership positions in the TLA.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my Past President, Steve Canty. During my presidency I would visit him often as he sat by the pool with that glassy-eyed stare as Tricia

Canty wiped the corner of his mouth with his Cubs hanky to keep the drool off his teal Members Only jacket. He would sit and stare at the glare of the sun on the chlorine green pool, take a sip of his beer, and then mumble barely coherently “That damn Kelly always trying to impeach me.” I would then pat his Illini plaid pants and depart knowing that at least one of my goals as President was accomplished. Steve Canty, as always, did an excellent job as Past President with the nominating committee. I thank Steve for his continued support of me and his sage advice at all times, and his friendship.

Finally, I can’t forget my wife Steffan. She has been by my side for the entire journey and I appreciate her assistance and support, which is more than you can imagine, along the way. I love reading. I read books for fun, every night and every weekend. The TLA is a good read and my term as President is a story that I hate to see end. But the TLA, like most great things in life, is a story that doesn’t really end when you become a Past President. It is an ongoing novel, and my prayer for TLA is that everyone who gets this far into this article will join me in continuing the story.

TLA Mission Statement

The Transportation Lawyers Association (“TLA”) is an independent bar association, comprised of in-house, government and private practice attorneys. Its members assist providers and commercial users of domestic and international logistics and transportation services, in all modes. TLA is dedicated to keeping its members ahead of the constant changes in the specialized legal environment governing all aspects of the supply chain and passenger travel. With commitment to excellence in continuing legal education, and a long tradition of collegiality and exchange of ideas, TLA is a collaborative resource for lawyers seeking to maximize the quality of the legal services they provide and enhance their professional lives.