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Advice:
The trucking industry is not for the faint of
heart. With thin margins and long hours, it’s
definitely not for everyone. However, for those who
persevere, the work is rewarding and full of great,
hardworking people with good hearts. It’s also
important to develop a specialty niche in order to
stand out and succeed.
Challenges:
They are many and quite varied.
Interstate Wood Products’ drivers are all employees
because it’s hard for owner-operators to keep up
with regulations and industry changes.
The future of trucking:
It’s important to work with
kids to educate and train them on all aspects of the
business. While our drivers are on the frontline and
often the public face for trucking, there is plenty
happening behind the scenes that keeps the goods
moving. It’s important to get the word out to the
next generation about the importance of the
industry to the economy and all the pieces that have
to come together to be successful.
Advocacy:
This is essential for smaller fleets, in
particular. Regulation makes it difficult for smaller
companies to survive, having to constantly adopt
and adapt to changes and updates.
Supporting the Truck PAC:
Contributing to the
Oregon Truck PAC fund is truly an investment that
is returned many times over. By pooling resources,
those involved in the trucking industry can be more
efficient in how money is spent and focus on the
specific issues that will impact our businesses.
What insight does Dale have into our industry?
Trucking is a unique industry influenced heavily by
the number of regulations we have to follow. OTA’s
government affairs efforts, which are funded by the
Truck PAC, allow us to have a say at the table when
decisions are made. We’re also seeing an increasing
anti-business sentiment across the country, which is
reflected in the rules and regulations we’re required
to follow. It’s important to step up and have a say.
It might be easier to sit along the sidelines and watch
as things happen, but it’s much more rewarding to
be involved personally to help shape the future of
trucking. Involvement starts by making a contri
bution to Truck PAC and expands from there.
Each and every contribution is essential to making
things happen.
How to get involved:
Making a contribution to the
Truck PAC is just an initial step. Educating yourself
on the issues and being prepared to offer testimony
and feedback, or respond to an OTA call to action,
is also vital. OTA offers several opportunities during
the year to show support for the Truck PAC, most
notably the annual golf tournament in July. It raises
a substantial amount for the PAC and is the perfect
opportunity for friendly competition with colleagues.
For an even more exclusive experience, individuals
and companies can become part of the Truck PAC
Leadership Circle. Those who pledge at a specific
level are invited to attend special events and receive
recognition of their support. I encourage anyone
who is able to look into what being part of the
Leadership Circle means. Any level of support
makes a difference and is truly appreciated.
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15
Fall | 2015
“…it’s so much more rewarding
to be involved personally to help
shape the future of trucking.”