The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has awarded National Carriers, Inc.’s Director of Safety/Compliance, Jill Maschmeier, as the 2020 TCA Safety Professional of the Year — Clare C. Casey Award recipient. The announcement was made during TCA’s Virtual Safety & Security Meeting on Wednesday, June 24.

This honor is bestowed upon a trucking industry professional whose actions and achievements have made a profound contribution to enhancing safety on North America’s highways.

“Jill’s motto is that every day we ALWAYS can learn something that we can pass on to our co-workers and family,” shared National Carriers, Inc. Vice President of Finance Mike Rinehart.

This motto being especially true during the unprecedented global pandemic. “She is also working for education and safety awareness during the current COVID-19 crisis,” he added.

Despite inheriting the safety position at National Carriers without prior safety and/or Department of Transportation experience, her work ethic has catapulted her into a knowledgeable safety expert, shared Rinehart.

Adding that when Maschmeier was hired in 2000, “National had an UNSATISFACTORY rating but within a year she invited the FMCSA back in and [we] earned a SATISFACTORY rating and a letter of recommendation from the DOT,” he added.

“Jill has led by example for the cause of highway safety for both the motoring public and in particular for freight transportation,” said National Carriers, Inc. Director Ed Kentner. “Participating in multiple areas she teaches, practices, and promotes a strong safety culture in every environment she is involved in.”

Aside from serving as a TCA Safety Council Officer since 2019, she’s also been named Kansas Motor Carrier Association’s 2016 Safety Professional of the Year, and has served as a member of the Women in Trucking Image Team, Southwest Kansas Safety Council, and has partnered with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for educating others about electronic logging devices.

Maschmeier is North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certified (10- and 30-hour course), as well as a certified purchasing manager and licensed insurance adjuster.

In addition to speaking during TCA meetings, Maschmeier has also shared her extensive knowledge at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Summit (FMCSA), Women in Trucking Conference, Transportation Mega Conference, and countless more.

“Jill has demonstrated that by partnering with the state and federal levels, and improving communication and education, we all win,” added Rinehart.

National Carriers, Inc. President Jim Franck agrees, “Congratulations on your well-deserved honor.”

Additionally, Maschmeier’s contributions to her community are vast as she serves as a member of Grace Lutheran Church; assists at a local food cupboard; is an advocate for a rape crisis center and domestic violence center; volunteers at local police departments; and is an advocate for elderly care.

Nominees for TCA’s award must exemplify leadership and demonstrate the goals of protecting lives and property in the motor transportation industry while serving their company, industry, and the motoring public. The award is named after Clare Casey, a safety professional who actively served TCA from 1979 until 1989. He was devoted to ensuring that all truckload safety professionals build a strong safety network and was instrumental in forming the first annual Safety & Security Division meeting in 1982. The first Clare C. Casey Award was presented in 1990, one year after his death.

To learn more about this prestigious award, visit www.truckload.org/safety-professional-of-the-year.