OTA Dispatch Issue 4 2018

Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch S ince I am usually the Hostess instead of the Guest, it has historically been a rare Thanksgiving Day when I have had time to consider the many things for which I am thankful. Somewhat true to form, this year finds me in a situation that is truly non-traditional, as I sit in a hotel room on Thanksgiving Day typing into my computer instead of slicing, shredding, stuffing and sautéing for the grand feast we share with our family and friends on this day in America. From a professional perspective, I am thankful to be a second-generation member of an industry that I have come to realize is, for the most part, full of extraordinary people who are devoted to their families and their businesses, and to operating in a manner that promotes the well-being of their employees and the communities they serve. We have many challenges, but consistent with the entrepreneurial spirit that typifies members of our industry, challenges are, to the greatest extent possible, recognized as opportunities that individually or collectively require action and solution. As a member of the trucking industry, I am thankful for what I think is the great Oregon Trucking Associations. Jana is a talented ambassador devoted to tirelessly promoting our interests across the spectrum of the environment in which we operate. She is supported by a small yet fantastic staff that seems to rise to every challenge and succeed at both the routine and the unique assignments thrown their way. Finally, an association like ours is nothing without its members and we are blessed to have a member group that gives abundantly of their time, effort and earnings in order to support the OTA. Now, looking to the future, in addition to pleasantly anticipating the remainder of the busy holiday season, we can assume, based upon the results of our November election, that we will have an even more intense need to be in front of our legislators and regulators. Business in general and trucking in particular are rarely recognized for the contributions we make to our economy, mobility and the well-being of our communities. Absent our efforts to promote our businesses and our industry, naysayer bias will rule the day at every level of government in our state. It is incumbent upon us to prevent this from happening. Given our current political environment, to borrow from a famous (and in my view failed) politician of our time, it will “take a village”— meaning it will require our association to be active and involved. Jana and her staff cannot do this alone. The association has many ways to get involved. If you might resist because you think you don’t know how you could be effective, please understand that the voice of the constituent is a powerful force, and be assured that the association will assist in every way possible to help you deliver your message. We should begin by assembling in record-setting numbers for our 2019 Trucking Day at the Capitol on January 29. Two years ago, OTA put together the largest 2 2 Diane DeAutremont OTA Chair Welcome New Members of Q3—2018! Alpine Food Distributing, Inc. ANC Movers Baker York Equipment & Supply BSB Transport, LLC Eastside Paving, Inc. Flannerys Drop Box/ Twelve-Mile Disposal International Express Llama Movers Peterson Trucks Timberland Helicopters, Inc. Wallwork Financial Corp. Giving Thanks