OTA Dispatch Winter 15-16

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5
Issue 1, 2016
FROM THE PRESIDENT
phone, letter, or in-person visits.
Growing our grassroots capability
is one of my goals for the upcoming
transportation funding discussion in
2017. Stay tuned…!
We are also increasing our
educational offerings through our
SMC/TMC and class structure.
With safety as a primary goal of our
industry, OTA needs to take the lead
in promoting what our members
are doing on the safety front. From
technological advancements aimed at
improving safety to front-line driver
training, our industry is intimately
involved in improving safety on our
nation’s roads and we need to get
this message out to the public. It will
enhance our public image, which in
turn will help on a variety of issues
ranging from driver shortages to
funding transportation investments!
Additionally we are looking to
partner with a number of allied
members to bring products and
services to you that provide
additional value to your membership.
ADVOCATING, EDUCATING, AND PROMOTING THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.
Calendar of Events
April 21–22 SMC Safety Conference
May 26–28 National Truck Show
June 3 TMC Maintenance Fair
June 4 TMC SuperTech Competition
June 11 Truck Driving Championships (TDC)
July 19 Jack Stewart Truck PAC Golf Tournament
Sept 23–24 Leadership Convention
From driver wellness programs to an
OTA sponsored 401K program for
your company, we have been talking
to a number of providers over the
past several months. Look for details
through the OTA Weekly Express or
my Executive Exchange; several of
these new programs will be rolling
out over the next few months.
Our event calendar is nearly com-
plete and you should expect some
top-notch training and network-
ing opportunities in the coming
months. Last week we hosted the
Southern Oregon Mixer at Seven
Feathers with over 100 attendees—a
great event enjoyed by all! This year
we will return to separate events
with the Spring Safety Conference
in Springfield in April and the
Leadership Convention at Eagle
Crest in September. Members of our
new Allied Committee have offered
ideas for growing participation in
all of our events so I look forward to
seeing you there!
And finally, it goes without saying
that none of this happens without
a great staff at OTA. I have already
mentioned the fine work that Bob
Russell and John Sallak do on our
behalf. I am also grateful for the
above-and-beyond help of Christine
Logue and Glenda Ekblad. Christine
has taken on the newly defined role
as Director of Member Benefits
to oversee all of OTA’s non-dues
revenue programs, including events.
Glenda as our Director of Accounting
oversees our financial activity and is
expanding her role in the permitting
process. I do have a couple of other
positions to fill and will keep you
posted as we bring new talent to the
team.
It has been an exciting 11 months
working on your behalf! I look
forward to the coming year and want
to thank you for all of your support
as we move forward. 