Page 40 - ATR 3 2016 web

ATA Takes the City

Recap of the 2016 ATA Annual Conference & Vendor Showcase

By ATR Staff panel moderated by Duke Fancher of Year, Loren Hatfield of ABF Freight,
Photography by Jon D. Kennedy Summit Truck Group. The 40 Under 40 and Safety Professional of the Year,
Council also met Wednesday morning Scott Dewey of FedEx Freight. Shannon
The Arkansas Trucking Association for a presentation by Stone Ward presi- Newton presented two fleets with the
hosted one of the largest Annual dent Millie Ward about the truisms of award for best safety record: Walmart
Business Conference and Vendor leadership. Transportation and Wayne Smith
Showcases yet. Almost 350 individu- The Safety Management Council Trucking. The Arkansas Road Team
als representing over 134 companies invited attendees to an ELD Panel mod- captains were in attendance all week to
and organizations attended the Annual erated by ATA’s director of safety ser- meet members and share how they have
Conference on May 18–20 at the Little vices David O’Neal. Panelists answered been taking ATA’s safety message to the
Rock Marriott. questions and discussed expectations public. At Wednesday’s lunch, they were
The schedule was full with five for the impending ELD rule. each officially introduced to executives
forums, four council meetings, the elec- After the morning’s panels and as the faces of trucking in Arkansas.
tion of three new board members, and opening the vendor showcase, the con- After lunch, Board of Directors
time to celebrate the contributions of ference kicked off with the Advocacy & Chairman Butch Rice called the general
U.S. veterans in our field. Awards luncheon where ATA president session to order before reports were
First thing Wednesday morning, Shannon Newton reviewed the image given for ATA finances, membership,
the Maintenance & Technology Council and advocacy efforts of the association workers’ compensation, governmen-
opened up their meeting to all early over the last year before honoring the tal affairs and councils. The Board of
conference attendees and hosted the safest fleets and individuals. Directors added three new members
“Connected Solutions & Uptime” OEM Winners included Driver of the during the association’s general busi-

 Co-Grand Champion of  Bestselling
Corporate Fleet Safety, Author Eric
Angela Fysh with Walmart Blehm tells
Transportation accepts the the story
safest fleet award from ATA of Arkansas
President Shannon Newton veteran Adam
Brown

 Co-Grand Champion
of Corporate  Driver of the
Fleet Safety, Joey Year, Loren Hatfield
Berkemeyer with from ABF Freight
Wayne Smith Trucking with ATA director of
also accepts the safest safety services David
fleet award from ATA O’Neal and Safety
President Shannon Professional of the
Newton Year, Scott Dewey of
FedEx Freight
Photography by Jon D. Kennedy

40 Issue 3 2016 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT