Newsline

5-1-2025 | Issue 9

We are now taking commitments for the 2025 Newsline Sponsorships. If your company would like to be a sponsor, please contact Carol Foster at (615) 777-2882 or email cfoster@tntrucking.org to reserve your edition. The cost will be $300.00 per edition with your logo and a link to your website. If you would like a banner ad linked to your website it would be $500.00 per edition. There will be a total of 24 editions this year.


THANK YOU to those that sponsored in 2024!!!

Sponsorship Information

UPCOMING EVENTS



WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Bailey Transportation Safety Service

Primary Contact: Dennis Bailey

Email: dennis.bailey@tds.net

Phone: (256) 904-2911

Address: 5950 Pumping Station Rd Iron City TN 38463-6307

CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

There’s something powerful about watching someone rise to a challenge. It’s hard not to admire those who push themselves to be better.


The Annual Truck Driving Championships capture this spirit perfectly. Every year, when TTA member drivers step up to test their skills, it’s incredible to see the focus, determination, and growth they bring with them.



These drivers navigate courses that would humble most of us. Their precision behind the wheel is the result of years of dedication, not just on competition day, but through consistent training, improvement, and an unwavering commitment to safety. Every competitor maintains a perfect safety record for at least a year just to qualify.


Since 1937, this tradition has pushed drivers to sharpen their skills through written tests, vehicle inspections, and demanding driving challenges. It’s more than a competition; it’s a celebration of excellence in our industry.


If you’ve entered a driver or are competing this year on May 2–3, I hope you take a moment to appreciate what this event represents for our community. Thank you to everyone driving and supporting the event this weekend and wishing the best of luck to the 2025 competitors!


Mike McFarlin

M & W Transportation Co., Inc.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Share your company news! Click to submit your story.

ATA Safety Security Human Resources National Conference

Louisville, KY

April 23-25, 2025

Recently the TTA and members of our Association attended the ATA Safety Security Human Resources National Conference in Louisville, KY on April 23-25, 2025. Attached are photos of the members and the conference. 

 

Ronnie Holland with TCW Inc., and Chris Woody with M&W Transportation, participated on a panel discussion regarding ‘Avoiding Costly Mistakes-TOP 10 DOT Compliance Pitfalls’ pictured above.

 

With DOT fines on the rise and compliance requirements growing more complex, trucking companies face increasing pressure to stay on top of the regulations. They discussed the mistakes that lead to non-compliance and how to avoid the pitfalls. They demonstrated how companies can equip with the tools and knowledge to protect business and stay in compliance in 2025 and beyond. 

Congratulations to Ronnie Holland! American Trucking Associations’ Safety Director of the Year!

Please join us in congratulating Ronnie Holland on being named the American Trucking Associations’ Safety Director of the Year!


As a valued member of the Tennessee Trucking Association, Ronnie’s dedication to safety sets a powerful example for our entire industry. We’re proud to celebrate this incredible achievement with him!

Read More

Celebrating TTA Members Named 2025 Top Women to Watch in Transportation

We are proud to recognize the incredible women from the Tennessee Trucking Association membership who were honored in this year’s 2025 Top Women to Watch in Transportation, announced by Redefining the Road, the official magazine of the Women In Trucking Association.


This annual list celebrates women across the industry who have made significant career accomplishments in the past year and go above and beyond to support other women and promote greater gender diversity in transportation.

Read More

Tennessee Trucking News Magazine Q1 Spring 2025

The Spring 2025 Edition of Tennessee Trucking News Magazine Is Here! This quarter, we're proud to feature Scott Schumpert of Carr, Riggs & Ingram on the cover.

Read More

ETN Young Professionals Council Vols Porch Night

From the first pitch to the final inning, the Vols Porch Night with the East Tennessee Young Professionals Council brought together trucking professionals from across the region for an unforgettable evening.

Read More

MTN Sporting Clay Winners Announced!



We had an incredible day at our Spring Sporting Clay Shoot in April. Thank you to everyone who participated, and a special thank-you to our generous sponsors who made the event possible.


  • 1st Place: Steve Thompson – TCW
  • Sponsored by Adams & Reese LLP


  • 2nd Place: Tommy Strickland – Ozark Motor Lines
  • Sponsored by Southern Tire Mart


  • 3rd Place: Madison Hunter – McGriff Tire
  • Sponsored by Adams & Reese LLP


  • Best Female Shooter: Madison Hunter – McGriff Tire
  • Sponsored by McMahon Truck Leasing & McMahon Truck Centers


  • Best Rookie Shooter: Steve Maxwell – Thompson Truck Group
  • Sponsored by McMahon Truck Leasing & McMahon Truck Centers


  • Best CDL Shooter: Donnie Manire – TITAN
  • Sponsored by McMahon Truck Leasing & McMahon Truck Centers


  • Farsighted Winner: Angela Corbitt – Great West
  • Sponsored by Adams & Reese LLP


  • Best Team: Ozark Motor Line


  • Traveling Trophy Awarded to: TCW


Lunch Sponsored by: Goggin Warehousing, LLC


Station Sponsors:

  1. Adams & Reese LLP
  2. P&S Transportation
  3. MS Logistics
  4. Ozark Motor Lines, Inc.
  5. Netradyne

Thank You for Joining Us at the Giles County Roadside Scales Event!


We want to thank everyone who came out to support the Giles County Roadside Scales event last month. Hosted in partnership with the Tennessee Trucking Association and the Tennessee Department of Safety, this event offered a valuable behind-the-scenes look at inspection procedures and compliance efforts on Tennessee’s roadways.


Your participation helps strengthen safety, knowledge, and collaboration across our industry. We appreciate your time, engagement, and continued commitment to excellence in trucking. A special thank you to P&S Transportation for generously sponsoring lunch for the event.

Averitt News: Stuart Gantt Promoted to Regional Vice President

Stuart Gantt promoted to regional vice president for Averitt's Florida operations, bringing decades of experience and leadership to the role.

Read More

INDUSTRY NEWS

Tennessee Offering $19.4M for Fleets to Buy Green Trucks - TT

Tennessee announced April 3 the availability of $19.4 million in grants to public, nonprofit and private fleets to replace eligible medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with greener vehicles.

Read More

Executive Order: Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America's Truck Drivers

President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order to enforce existing laws requiring English proficiency among commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, citing safety concerns and the need for clear communication on U.S. roadways. The order also calls for stronger CDL credential security and improvements to truck driver working conditions.

Read More

ATRI Releases New Research Priorities for 2025

At its recent meeting in Des Moines, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) Board of Directors, led by Chair Derek Leathers of Werner Enterprises, reviewed and approved the 2025 Top Research Priorities. The research priorities were identified by ATRI's Research Advisory Committee (RAC) at its annual meeting held March 4-5 in Washington, DC.

Read More

Trucking Stakeholders Amplify Cargo Theft Concerns - TT

Freight industry stakeholders renewed calls for senior policymakers to advance legislation designed to respond to long-standing cargo theft concerns.

Read More

Alternative Fuels 'Back on the Menu' at ACT Expo - TT

Speakers and exhibitors at the 2025 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo illustrated a growing interest in cleaner-burning and renewable fuels for the internal combustion engine.

Read More

Trump Administration Terminates Drug Testing Advisory Board - TT

The Trump administration has dissolved the Drug Testing Advisory Board, which for more than three decades has overseen the development of federal testing programs and laboratories that process drug tests.

Read More

CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week Scheduled for July 13-19

The focus of this year's Operation Safe Driver Week is reckless, careless or dangerous driving.

Read More

SAFETY SPOTLIGHT



Safety Trucking Tips


Staying safe on the road starts with the right habits. These six quick tips serve as everyday reminders to protect yourself, your equipment, and everyone around you

 

  • 3 Points of Contact: Remember to always employ three points of contact when entering or exiting the truck, trailer, or climbing onto or down from the catwalk. This means always having both hands and one foot or both feet and one hand in contact with your equipment. Making this a habit will help prevent slips and falls.  


  • Avoid Distractions: Keep both hands on the steering wheel. This allows the maximum steering wheel movement in either direction, giving you the most leverage and control of your vehicle. 


  • Tractor & Trailer Lights: Keep your headlights and clearance lights on when driving. Make sure to keep your lights clean. Being visible is extremely important to your safety. Driving with lights on will allow a fellow motorist to see your equipment sooner. This will allow other drivers more time to adjust to any potential hazards. 


  • Safe Loading and Unloading Practices: Ensure that vehicles and freight are properly secured when loading or unloading. Apply tractor and trailer parking brakes and turn off the engine. Use chock blocks for extra security. Do not pull out of a loading dock until the dock plate has been removed and you have verified that the loading/unloading has been completed, and that no equipment or people are still working in the trailer. 


  • Seatbelts: Always wear a properly adjusted seatbelt. In a team driving environment, as a sleeper-berth occupant, use belts and/or netting during operation of the truck. Do not occupy the upper bunk unless the truck is parked. Seatbelts are the most effective vehicle safety device. 


  • Speed Limit: To ensure your safety and the safety of those around you, travel at or lower the posted speed limits. BE SURE TO ALWAYS adjust your speed to a safe level as determined by the various driving conditions.


Marty Pollock, Director of Safety

Tennessee Trucking Association

Legislative Corner

Dale Allen

Adams and Reese LLP

Ashley Harbin

Adams and Reese LLP

The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned the 2025 legislative session on Tuesday, April 22. The legislature completed its business in a fashion that could perhaps be best described as workmanlike, managing to avoid inter-chamber tensions and last-minute drama that have occasionally marked closing days or previous adjournments. Some of this can be attributed to the fact that Governor Bill Lee and legislative leadership opted to call a special session earlier in the year to address several high-profile issues—including the Governor’s signature legislative initiative on educational freedom scholarships, hurricane recovery efforts in East Tennessee following Hurricane Helene, and immigration legislation.



The Governor was successful in the effort to take the concept of educational freedom scholarships statewide, and lawmakers allocated a total of $908 million to fund the initiatives passed in the special session. Immediately following the conclusion of the two-week special session, the Legislature transitioned directly into the regular session. Perhaps the main highlight was the overwhelming passage of a $59.8 billion budget that received bipartisan support.

Read More
FOUNDATION NEWS

Road Team Captains at the Montgomery County Teen Driver Safety Class


In April, our Road Team Captains had the incredible opportunity to visit the Montgomery County Teen Driver Safety Class.


They spent the day sharing real-world insights, answering questions, and encouraging safe driving habits among young drivers. It was a powerful reminder that safety starts early—and we’re proud to be part of shaping the next generation of responsible drivers.

Tennessee Trucking Foundation Contribution


Want to make a contribution to our Foundation? You can easily donate to the foundation on our website. Thank you to all who support our Foundation's mission. 



  • Advancing highway safety
  • Educating the public through programs designed to make our roads safer
  • Providing Tennessee children’s charities with funds to improve the lives of our state’s children
  • The TTF Scholarship, administered annually by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee


Visit the website to donate.

X Share This Email
LinkedIn Share This Email
How did you like this email?
Positive        Neutral        Negative