OTA Dispatch Issue 4 2019

25 www.ortrucking.org Issue 4 | 2019 OTA’s president at the time supported Andy’s idea, but told him she couldn’t guarantee a strong attendance. So, with the help from other members and an arrangement with Seven Feathers Casino Resort, the first mixer was born and well- attended. It has since grown to over 180 attendees and Andy is looking into incorporating some different activities this year. See the event ad on page 22 for the surprise guest and other details. TRUCKING-RELATED AND GENERAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT A&M is a member of American Trucking Associations (ATA), and Andy sits on the ATA’s Workforce Committee. He and other company employees frequently attend events and are heavily engaged with local community groups related to trucking. Andy was appointed to represent the transportation sector of the SOWIB for Douglas, Coos, and Curry counties. The board’s purpose is to boost the workforce across Southern Oregon’s nine main areas. To accomplish this, the board partners with other organizations like truck driving schools. Andy helps support and encourage individuals to sit on all nine workforce boards and hopefully move into other areas of the state to make sure transportation is getting their fair share of government funding for transportation-related workforce development initiatives and draw more people into the industry. Some OTA members, for example, Billy Dover with Leavitt’s Freight Service, Mike Card with Combined Transport, are already involved! Since Andy’s involvement with the Workforce Board, he’s begun to see the driver shortage erased even within his own company whereas in the past, he had more trucks parked. He’s seeing an increased interest in trucking, and it’s the progress that keeps him motivated. A&M makes an impact in the community in other ways, too. They’re involved in children’s organizations, such as Operation Christmas, Little League, and Boy Scouts and attend and/or sponsor job fair, veteran, and even racing events through groups like the Umpqua Valley Transportation Sector Partnership. VISION FOR OTA FOR THE NEXT TWO-YEAR TERM Andy’s first role with OTA was State VP for ATA, and he has continued to play a key role in association activities and events, including his most recent position as Vice Chair on OTA’s Board of Directors. His goals as OTA Chairman are many. “We need more support for establishing a legal fund and get behind OTA’s government affairs team for all the upcoming legislative battles. This ties into increasing membership to bring us to better support of efforts in Salem,” Andy shares. He’s is also working with OTA’s Jana Jarvis to establish a workforce committee at OTA. “We need to continue to be out front of our industry and pushing for our rights. I’d like to support Jana out on the road as much as possible. We’ll bring OTA to you if you don’t come to us! That means we’re going to make an effort to visit as many members and non- members in the state to show what OTA can do for them.” EXPECTATIONS FROM OTA MEMBERS Andy encourages all members to take that extra step to be a little more engaged than they were in previous years. “If everyone does a little, then no one has to do a lot. Everyone has to put in their fair share, especially when time to show up at the capitol. The same applies with Truck PAC—instead of sending one big check, do what’s best for you. Maybe that means sending smaller, monthly increments, like we do. I’d also like to see more members promote the industry. For example, send one of your employees to a local high school with a truck for career day. At least you’ll get students exposed to trucking at an early age so when they’re old enough they may consider our industry as a career.”