OTA Dispatch Issue 4 2017

4 Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch FROM THE PRESIDENT Jana Jarvis OTA President W ell, here we are once again facing the close of another year. It was certainly an active one for OTA and the trucking industry—and it’s not over yet. We still have the ELD implementation to get through in December! We definitely hit some significant milestones in 2017, both as an organization and as an industry as a whole. After over 75 years in existence, Oregon Trucking Associations has elected the first woman to chair our board of directors. Diane DeAutremont, president and owner of Lile International Companies, was formally elected and named chair at the Leadership Convention in September. Diane has an extensive and impressive history within the trucking industry, OTA and the Oregon Moving and Storage Association (OMSA). You can read more about her journey in this issue of The Dispatch. Diane and her husband Dan, who is vice-president at Lile, were also part of the OTA delegation on our recent Call on Washington. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of these types of events. The trucking industry continues to fight against preconceived notions and negative images that can still influence the decisions of our lawmakers. The Call on Washington, as well as our local outreach efforts, puts faces, personalities and stories to trucking, offering a realistic view of the businesses and people that keep the economy moving. The Call on Washington was an extension of our ongoing advocacy efforts. It’s more important than ever that we band together as an industry and make a show of force to get our message across. OTA is dedicated to a proactive approach that can—and has—impacted decisions and votes. OTA actively and successfully lobbied to reduce and refine Oregon’s transportation package. While we will all benefit from an investment in our state’s infrastructure, the original package was far too expensive with too little process change. OTA’s efforts, along with our friends at AAA, made it possible to bring our concerns to poliymakers and effect meaningful change. Of course, none of this just casually happens. It takes cooperation, coordination and support from our stakeholders—which includes all our members, carrier and allied alike. OTA’s government affairs activities are made possible by the Oregon Truck PAC Fund. The Truck PAC is our figurative “war chest” that provides the tools and opportunities to educate and influence on behalf of our members and Oregon’s trucking industry. This support comes through your contributions and OTA events, such as the annual golf tournament. I’d also like to recognize those who are part of the Truck PAC Leadership Circle. These companies and individuals have pledged a specific level of financial support to help keep our “war chest” full. An article from Dale Lemmons, chair of OTA’s Truck PAC committee, will give you a closer look at the importance of the Truck PAC and the ways you can contribute and get involved. Getting involved. This is really the key to success for any organization—OTA included. You pay your annual dues. You may attend an event or training here and there. You read the Dispatch and our OTA Weekly Express. I thank you for all of these things—but, I’d like to challenge you to do even more. Most of you did not get into the trucking industry because it’s an easy way to make After over 75 years in existence, Oregon Trucking Associations has elected the first woman to chair our board of directors. Diane DeAutremont, president and owner of Lile International Companies, was formally elected and named chair at the Leadership Convention in September. #1