TCA Members Honored for Longevity and Loyalty to Association
Six companies inducted to prestigious Ambassador Club; Warren Transport, Inc., recognized for 60 years of membership
Kissimmee, Florida:
Earlier today, at its annual convention in Kissimmee, Florida., the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) paid tribute to the many “Ambassador Club” companies who have held longtime memberships within the association. Warren Transport, Inc., of Waterloo, Iowa, reached an impressive 60 years of membership, while another 11 companies were recognized for reaching milestones within their membership tenures. Six TCA members reached 25 years of membership, qualifying them for induction into the prestigious club.
Because of the tremendous commitment the Ambassador Club companies have shown to TCA, the organization decided to move the recognition event from the New Member Breakfast of years past to a General Session, a larger venue that allowed for the companies’ achievements to be shared with a much bigger portion of TCA’s membership. Chris Burruss, TCA’s president, recognized each company joining the club or reaching a milestone while their names were presented on a screen above the stage. Rather than give the member representatives heavy plaques to lug home, each plaque was mailed directly to the companies’ offices and will arrive in a few days.
“It is so gratifying to see how many companies value their TCA membership enough to stick with us for 25, 50 or even 71 years like our most senior Ambassador, Craig Transportation Company of Perrysburg, Ohio!” said Burruss. “These companies are the lifeblood of our association, and we are very grateful for their support over such a lengthy time.”
TCA established its prestigious Ambassador Club in 1996 as a way to honor companies that maintain memberships with the organization for 25 years or longer. After their induction, companies are honored every five years for their ongoing commitment to TCA and their industry. Special recognition is bestowed when a company reaches the 50- or 75-year mark.
With the addition of the six newest inductees, there are now a total of 81 companies in TCA’s Ambassador Club. The 2012 honorees are as follows:
60 Years
Warren Transport, Inc., Waterloo, Iowa
Robert J. Molinaro, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer30 Years
1st Guard Corporation, Venice, Florida
Edmund B. Campbell, III, ChairmanCarrier Transicold, Syracuse, New York
Ronald Ray, PresidentContractual Carriers, Inc., Newark, Delaware
Karl E. Schneider, PresidentCummins Inc., Columbus, Indiana
Jeffrey Jones, Vice President, Sales & MarketingEaton Corporation – Roadranger, Kalamazoo, Michigan
James E. Sahli, Director, Field Sales & MarketingJ.J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Neenah, Wisconsin
David R. Ellis, Director, Business DevelopmentMeritor, Inc., Troy, Michigan
D. Mike Pennington, Manager, Industry RelationsNavistar, Inc., Warrenville, Illinois
Marty Gottner, Vice President, National AccountsUtility Trailer Manufacturing Co., City of Industry, California
David Wallace, Director, SalesThermo King Corporation, Bloomington, Minnesota
Tammie Hogan-Cole, Dealer DevelopmentVolvo Trucks North America, Greensboro, North Carolina
Ron Huibers, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing25 Years
Baldwin Distribution Services, Ltd., Amarillo, Texas
Dudley Baldwin, PresidentGordon Trucking, Inc., Pacific, Washington
Steve Gordon, Chief Operating OfficerInterstate Distributor Co., Tacoma, Washington
Lee Owens, Vice President, MaintenanceJBS Carriers, Greeley, Colorado
Brent Eastwood, PresidentNational Carriers, Inc., Liberal, Kansas
Richard Rees, PresidentPaschall Truck Lines, Inc., Murray, Kansas
Thomas Stephens, Executive Vice President