Newsline

12-1-2022 | Issue 23

This Edition of the Newsline is Brought to You By:
We are now taking commitments for the 2023 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 2022!!!

Sponsorship Information
Upcoming Events

December 13-14, 2022 - NATMI Safety & DOT Compliance


December 14, 2022 - YPC Haulin' for the Holidays Live Toy Drive


December 15, 2022 - Raffle Drawing


December 23 & 26, 2022 - Christmas, TTA Office Closed


More Events

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Fleet Technology | Argos Connected Solutions

Argos Connected Solutions is a transportation technology reseller that partners with industry-leading fleet technology providers to solve fleet challenges across the country. Telematics, dashcams, GPS, and more are all at your fingertips when you partner with Argos Connected.

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Kevin Waggoner, Business Development

Argos Connected Solutions

4122 Heyward Pl

Indianapolis, IN 46250

Phone: (865) 770-1985

Email: kevin.waggoner@argosconnected.com

https://www.argosconnected.com/

CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

Happy December fellow TTA members!


As we head into the last month of the year, rest assured that your Association staff is as busy as I hope we all are with peak season!


I could not possibly start this newsletter off without discussing the wonderful Catherine Stuart. Many of you are most familiar with Catherine from her tireless work coordinating the Tennessee Trucking Foundation and I could not be more grateful. After a combined 15 years of dedicated service to the TTA and TTF, Catherine will be retiring at the end of the year, and as much as we will miss her around the office, I know the Road Team will miss her even more. Please, please take a moment in December and reach out to Catherine. She would absolutely love to talk with all of you, especially if you buy a raffle ticket to help her close out her final raffle early! To even save her the trouble of bringing it up, there is even a third raffle prize this year but no additional tickets will be sold, so your odds just got even better!


As Catherine retires, we welcome Ashley Taylor’s move from communications to the Foundation. Additionally, please join me in welcoming Khadejia Hupp to the Association as Ashley’s replacement in communications.


The Association will be closing out December with NATMI training at the office December 13 and 14th. Additionally on the 14th, the Foundation and the YPC will be holding a final Hauling for the Holidays toy drive event in Nashville. Email Jesse Merritt (jessie.merritt@reliancepartners.com) for more details.


Finally, as we close out December, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what I’m thankful for as Chairman. I’m thankful for so many wonderful, caring giving people who have paved the way for so many of us. I’d be remiss not to mention my father Tommy Higginbotham as well as others such as Dave Huneryager, Bill Reed, Tommy Hodges, JB Baker, Pat Marsh and so many others. But above all, I am thankful for the everyday men and women who work day to day as Truckers, no matter what they do in this industry. Without each one of you, Santa wouldn’t deliver this Christmas.


Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas to everyone one of you! 

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
2022 ANNUAL CONVENTION PREMIER GOLF, DIAMOND, PLATINUM & AUCTION PARTY SPONSORS THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT!
2023 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
The Tennessee Trucking Association is excited to continue its partnership with E&M Consulting, Inc. to produce our Membership Directory. The publication will be available in both print and digital formats. 
 
E&M will be managing the entire project, including advertising sales and layout/graphic design. They are highly professional and produce a high-quality publication, and we ask that you give them a moment of your time. 
 
E&M will be contacting all members soon about the advertising opportunities available. The publication will be mailed to every member – a great opportunity to promote and give your company additional exposure. 
 
If you have any questions or would like to advertise, please contact an E&M sales associate at 800-572-0011 or advertising@emconsultinginc.com
 
As always, your support is greatly appreciated!
INDUSTRY NEWS

Tennessee Build with Us Plan - Governor Lee said one of his focuses for the next four years would be on infrastructure. You can view the below video to see what is included in the plan.

Build With Us

TDOT has 3,600 current employees and has been functioning very well over the past five years at that level. Unfortunately, we continue to lose people fast and their salaries, which are 10-15% below market level, are a main reason for their departure. We intend to eliminate vacancies to use those dollars to increase salaries towards market level.

Read More

ATA Applauds Introduction of Senate Truck Parking Bill

Washington - Today, the American Trucking Associations applauded the introduction of the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act by U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ). The legislation would authorize $755 million in competitive grant funding to expand commercial truck parking capacity across the United States. A companion bill in the U.S.

Read More

FMCSA Issues Guidance on Brokerage Terminology

Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.] The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued interim guidance on the definitions of brokers, bona fide agents and the role of dispatch services in the supply chain. The guidance, announced by the agency Nov.

Read More

Inspectors Place 13.3% of CMVs Out of Service During Brake Safety Week

Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.] Commercial motor vehicle inspectors in North America conducted 38,117 inspections Aug. 21-27 during Brake Safety Week, placing 13.3% of vehicles out of service for brake-related violations.

Read More

ATRI Issues Call for Motor Carriers and Drivers to Participate in Predatory Towing Survey

The American Transportation Research Institute today issued a call for motor carriers and drivers to participate in a new ATRI data collection on the impact of predatory towing in the trucking industry.

Read More

Buttigieg Touts Safety Progress After IIJA Enactment

To mark the anniversary of a $1 trillion infrastructure law, the nation's top transportation officer pointed to progress in implementing safety provisions linked to freight and commuter corridors. Secretary Pete Buttigieg indicated such safety programs resulted from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or were launched by the Biden administration.

Read More

Trucking Industry Calls on Congress to Avert Rail Strike, Tennessee Trucking Association

"ATA calls on Congress to act immediately to resolve this looming issue," said Washington - Today, the American Trucking Associations called on Congress to intervene in a looming crippling strike by railroad workers.

Read More
SAFETY SPOTLIGHT


With the excitement of Christmas around the corner, criminals may use this time to take advantage of terminals and shipments. To remain prepared and vigilant, we urge every company and safety manager to review their security procedures. Below are tips to help maintain the integrity of cargo.




Facilities:

• Test security alarms and surveillance systems to ensure they are in proper working order

• Ensure batteries are fresh in exit doors and backup alarm systems

• Perform perimeter checks, inspect fencing or other physical barriers to ensure they are secured

• Check your perimeter lighting to ensure lights work and timers are set to activate in darkness

• Ensure the alarm call list is current and someone is responsible for responding

• Contact local law enforcement and request extra patrols in the area

• Remove keys from all warehouse equipment (forklifts, etc.) and place them in a secure location

• Use a cellular system as a secondary measure in case thieves cut the landline system

 

In-Transit Freight:

• If you must leave your rig or loaded trailer unattended, look for a secure lot that is well lit

• Park within camera view if possible

• Secure the tractor with a steering wheel lock if available

 On the trailer use a kingpin lock and industrial-strength padlocks on the trailer doors

• Do not leave keys inside the tractor

• Check on unattended vehicles frequently

• Notify your dispatch team when you drop the load and provide an estimated time of return

• Use tracking devices placed in the load

 

Reminder: CargoNet is a program that works with your security team to help secure cargo, coordinate communication, recover inventory, and track trends with a 24/7/365 support center. For more info visit: https://www.cargonet.com/membership/cargonet-program/

Enjoy the upcoming holiday season and remember, the best security equipment is YOU!

Marty Pollock, Director of Safety
Tennessee Trucking Association

LEGISLATIVE CORNER

House and Senate GOP re-elect top leadership team


Tennessee House Republicans unanimously voted current Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) to lead the House of Representatives for a third term. The House GOP Caucus also voted to reelect Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) as Majority Leader, Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) as Caucus Chairman, and Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) to serve as Majority Whip. Rep. Pat Marsh (R-Shelbyville) was chosen to serve his second term as Speaker Pro Tempore, and Rep. Mark Cochran (R-Englewood) was elected to his first term as Assistant Majority Leader.



The Senate Republican Caucus voted current Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) to a fourth term as Speaker, and to return Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) as Majority Leader and Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston) as Caucus Chairman.

FOUNDATION NEWS

2023-2024 Road Team Nomination


REMINDER to submit your nominations soon. Nominations for Tennessee’s Road Team must be received by Friday, January 6, 2023. Interviews and Selection will be held Friday, January 20, 2023.

 

Click here to download a nomination form and submit by the 1/6/2023 deadline


If you would like to get an event on the 2023 schedule, please contact

the TTA Office at (615) 777-2882.

2022 11th ANNUAL CASH RAFFLE UPDATE

Count them - 1, 2, 3 Chances to Win!

1st Prize Sponsored by Titan Transfer, Inc.

2nd Prize Sponsored by Goggin Warehousing, LLC

3rd Prize Sponsored by TCW, Inc.


Tickets continue to sell, but at the usual Holiday slow down. We are starting to reach out to those of you who have always come through for us as we approach the drawing deadline. If you have been waiting to save the day, please go online and purchase at whatever level of commitment you can. Only 371 tickets are left to sell.



Lives are saved through the support of our members. Please dig deep into your pockets and help support our safety programs. Tickets can be purchased right up to the day of the drawing, but please don't put off your support. Purchase today and help us reach our goal. This is the 11th year for this annual fundraiser. We have reached the goal every year. Help make this year another successful fundraiser!


If you need to get an invoice and pay by check, you can call the TTA office this week at (615) 777-2882 and Carol will generate an invoice you can pay from and save the 3.5% processing fee. You can also go to this LINK and purchase tickets. At the bottom of the payment page, there is a place for notes where you can enter the name of your favorite Captain if you choose to help with the contest. You may also DOWNLOAD a form and email it to cfoster@tntrucking.org. Tickets purchased will be mailed out weekly. 

 

(To help cover the cost of processing payments, we add a fee of 3.5% for credit cards. This fee is not more than the cost of accepting these cards.  There is no fee for debit cards.)


 Raffle proceeds benefit the Tennessee Trucking Foundation's Highway Safety Education Programs: Tennessee's Road Team and Teens & Trucks Share the Road Training Program!

Purchase Tickets Online
Download an Order Form
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 that support our Foundations 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 Our Website to Donate
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