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Published by Matthews Publishing Group LLC, 2021-11-11 11:21:40

Tarheel Wheels Issue 2, 2021 ~ Luke Mangum, Mangum's Inc.

The Official Magazine of the North Carolina Trucking Association

Keywords: trucking,north carolina,safety,north carolina trucking association,politics,business

ISSUE 2 2021 1

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NCTA OFFICERS OF THE BOARD

2021 Annual Sponsors Chairman
Luke Mangum
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 SPONSORS Mangum’s, Inc.

$15,000 1st Vice Chairman Allied Chair
Jason Smith Sean Kelly
DIAMOND Relation Insurance Services
Southland Transportation ATA State Vice President
McMahon Truck Centers, Mack, TranSource, Company Richard Hepler
MHC - Kenworth Best Logistics Group, Inc.
Vice Chairman Immediate Past Chair
$10,000 Lora Dedmon Keith Barnes
A.V. Dedmon Trucking, Inc. Barnes Transportation
GOLD Vice Chairman Services, Inc.
Mark Patterson
Excel Truck Group V3 Transportation

$8,000 Treasurer Secretary
Howell Clark Crystal Collins
SILVER Waccamaw Transport North Carolina
Company, Inc. Trucking Association
C.R.T.S. Trailer Sales
Red Classic Transit, LLC 2021–2022 NCTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Transure Services, A Relation Company
Mark Berry Amy Medlin
North Carolina Trucking Association Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. Epes Transport System, LLC
introduces our one-year, sponsorship
program. Pay just one sponsorship Tim Birmingham Scott Murray
fee, while garnering premium exposure Edwards Wood Products McGriff

throughout the entire year to our Inc. Transportation Gerald Myers West Carolina
members increasing your visibility Bree Bryant Freightliner Asheville
and value as an industry leader
Eagle Transport Corporation Melissa Nishan Epes Transport
supporting the NCTA. Ryan Chambers System, LLC
Jim Norwood
Contact NCTA's Vice President of Membership, Chambers Transportation Services, Inc.
Petrina Lawrence at [email protected] Lance Collette Carolina Tank Lines, Inc.
Mark Penley
919-616-8049 to become an annual sponsor. Eagle Transport Corporation
Ben Cox Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Dave Riley
Thermo King Central Carolinas
Roy Cox Trinity Transport, Inc.
Ronald Rogers
Best Logistics Group, Inc.
Stephen Davis L.J. Rogers Trucking Co.
Gary Sensing
SE Davis & Associates
Dennis Dellinger Carolina Axle Surgeons, Inc.
Kevin Sherritze
Cargo Transporters, Inc.
Herb Evans Joe Morten & Son, Inc.
Allyson Siegel
Eagle Transport Corporation
Grover Ezzell Tru-Pak Moving Systems, Inc.
Jerry Sigmon, Jr.
Ezzell Trucking, Inc.
Catherine Ezzell-Joyner Cargo Transporters, Inc.
Duple Travillion
Ezzell Trucking, Inc. FedEx
Scott Farwell Kristene Turner

Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, Brown Trucking Company
LLP Ken Tyree

Tricia Foody Excel Truck Group
Best Logistics Group, Inc. Badger Underwood
Underwood & Weld Co., Inc.
Steven Garrish Gordon Underwood
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. Mineral City Transport, LLC

Ben Greenberg Jeff Wafford
Goldberg Segalla UPS
Warren Hall ADUSA Transportation
Spencer Webster
LLC Red Classic Transit, LLC
Chris Henry
Frozen Food Express John Williams
Tidewater Transit Co., Inc.
Chris Hill
Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc. Jeff Wilson
Clyde Kerns Kerns Trucking, Inc. Wilson Brothers Milling & Trucking Co.

Scott Lassiter Donnie Wilson
City Transfer and Storage Company Swing Transport, Inc.

David Locke, Jr. Archie Wood
McMahon Truck Centers SWTO LLC/Speedway Transport

Brooks Long Operations
Longistics Transportation, Inc. David Yarbrough, Jr.
Yarbrough Transfer Company
Andy Marchiano
C.R.T.S., Inc.

4 TARHEEL WHEELS

TARHEEL WHEELS
NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION
Æ FEATURES
Issue 2, 2021
8 Core Values
DOING THE RIGHT THINGS p 24 Ronnie McCoy, Eagle Transport Corporation,

Luke Mangum, about as down-to-earth as a person named NTA’s Safety Professional of the Year
can get, shares his views on how to get things done.
BY RENEE MILLER BY RENEE MILLER

11 ATRI/NCTA Fast Facts

16 A Shared Mission
ATRI celebrates 20 years with support from

the NCTA Foundation
BY DAVID MONTEITH

20 Spotlight: NCTA New Members

21 FTCC’s New TOM Program
New trucking operations program at

Fayetteville Tech hopes to launch the
trucking industry’s next big businesses
BY ANDREW DUNN

22 Looking Forward
NCTA hosted its Annual Councils

Conference & Expo
BY DAVID MONTEITH

32 Enjoying Today, Improving Tomorrow
A recap of the NCTA Annual

Management Conference
BY DAVID MONTEITH

41 UNIFI’s Mike Baity Inducted Into NPTC
Driver Hall of Fame

BY NPTC STAFF

DEPARTMENTS IMAGES OF LUKE MANGUM ON THE COVER
AND THIS PAGE BY DANIEL GRAY.
4 NCTA Annual Sponsors
44 Advertiser Resource Index
4 NCTA Board of Directors 44 Calendar of Events
45 By the Numbers: Towing Issues
7 President’s Message 46 Outtakes by Chris Spear
by Crystal Collins
ISSUE 2 2021 5
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TARHEEL WHEELS PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE
NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION America’s truck driver shortage is growing — and growing fast. The U.S.
needs more than 80,000 more drivers on the road immediately, and that
Tarheel Wheels is owned by the North Carolina Trucking Association number stands to increase to over 1.1 million over the next decade as current
and is published three times a year by Matthews Publishing Group. drivers retire.

For additional copies, to order reprints of individual articles or OurrecentexperiencewiththeCOVID-19 pandemic has only made the
to become a subscriber to Tarheel Wheels, and for information about problemworse.Butit’salso putabig
spotlightonjusthow importantthe
advertising please contact Jennifer Matthews-Drake truckingindustryisto ourstate.
at [email protected].
In this issue, we take a look at how
Publisher Jennifer Matthews-Drake NorthCarolinaisrespondingto that
need.Theeffortsareled bythestate’s
[email protected] community college system, which
boastsmorethan58 schoolsacross
Executive Editor Crystal Collins the state. More than half of them offer
trucking industry programs currently,
[email protected] but more are in the works.

Creative Director Fran Sherman Right here in Raleigh, Wake Technical
Community College is building out a
[email protected] new campus that will have at its heart
an eight-acre pad for potential new
Graphic Designer Barbara Negron drivers to learn how to operate trucks
and ultimately earn their commercial
Ad Production Doug Benjamin driver’s License.

Photographers Daniel Gray Five colleges have also begun to
offer an associate degree in Trucking
Contributing Writers Steve Brawner Operations Management, a program that prepares students for all
Andrew Dunn manner of jobs in the industry. We showcase here one of the newest ones:
Johnny Kampis Fayetteville Technical Community College, which just graduated its first
Renee Miller two students. One of them, 27-year-old Dianara Loredon, has already
David Monteith launched her own logistics company and plans to buy her own fleet within
the next year.
John Schulz
We’redoingourpart,too.TheNorthCarolinaTrucking Association is pushing
www.NCTrucking.com fora$5milliongrantthatwould bringarecruiting effort for the industry
North Carolina Trucking Association Staff statewide.We’llbeableto helpcommunity colleges hire more instructors,
and workwithhighschoolsacrossNorthCarolinato show their studentsthe
President Crystal Collins amazingopportunitiesthatexistforthemin the trucking industry.

[email protected] North Carolina’s trucking industry currently employs more than 230,000
people, representing one in every 16 jobs statewide. Nearly 21,000 trucking
Vice President of Education, Events & Programs Alison Harding companies call our state home, paying workers more than $11 billion in
wages each year.
[email protected]
Bit by bit, we’re working to increase all of those numbers. We hope you’ll
Vice President Membership Petrina Lawrence join us.
[email protected]

Director of Operations Lindsey Harris

[email protected]

Regulatory Specialist Steve Massey

[email protected]

An affiliate of the American Trucking Associations

Since 1929, the North Carolina Trucking Association (NCTA) Crystal Collins
has represented the interests of the trucking industry. NCTA works NCTA President
[email protected]
to protect the interests of North Carolina’s trucking industry by
working with state and federal regulatory and enforcement agencies.

We are also dedicated to providing excellence in Education,
Training, and Information. And promoting a safe, dependable and cost-

effective motor transportation infrastructure to the betterment of
the trucking industry in North Carolina.

For more information, contact NCTA at:
North Carolina Trucking Association
223 South West Street, Suite 900
Raleigh, NC 27603
Telephone: 919-834-0387
Facsimile: 919-834-3926
Website: www.nctrucking.com

ISSUE 2 2021 7

INDUSTRY NEWS

CORE VALUES

Ronnie McCoy, Eagle Transport Corporation, named
NCTA’s Safety Professional of the Year

BY RENEE MILLER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“Priorities shift up and down a list of things you must has figured out a thing or two about it. For him, risk
accomplish. A core value sticks,” says Ronnie McCoy, the management cannot be an accessory or add-on to what the
field safety manager for Eagle Transport Corporation, and industry does. It must be a core value of the industry – that
the recipient of the 2020 NCTA Safety Professional of the is, something that sticks.
Year award. Impressive.
It didn’t start when McCoy became field safety manager
Yet even with such a prestigious award, McCoy describes at Eagle Transport. It began when he served for four years
himself as “A straight-forward, open-book sort of guy. Just as a military police officer and later as a volunteer fireman
ask, and I’ll probably tell you more about me than you want for 22 years. Reflecting on how his time spent in those roles
to know.” Husband of Eva, and a proud grandfather of two shaped him for the work he is now doing, McCoy says, “As
girls, Emily age 6 and Laney age 10 months, Ronnie McCoy one might imagine, both the fire department and the U.S.
is a man who is clear on what sticks in his own life. Making Army are fairly rigid and structured organizations. They
memories with his wife and granddaughters and living his require you to sometimes make split-second decisions that,
in some cases, could make the difference in survival for
faith with integrity are yourself or those around you.”
personal core values that
also drive his ethics in The same could be said in the trucking industry. Drivers
his work. are often required to make split-second decisions that can
have massive, sometimes dire, results. McCoy believes that
Compassion isn’t preparation is the key. In his military and firefighter work,
the immediate word to he says, “Proper and constant training was essential. When
follow when the word faced with a risky situation, your training would take over
safety comes to mind. and you’d do the right thing, instinctively.”
Yet keeping people safe –
those in the industry and When McCoy talks about the safety issues in trucking
the motoring public – is that still need to be addressed, training is at the top of his
a true act of compassion list. He recognizes the importance and need for getting
and it is compassion drivers trained quickly and into the workforce, but he feels
that drives McCoy to that many schools teach only the essentials for getting a
care so much about risk CDL license.
management in the
transportation industry. “Many newly licensed drivers come out of school with little
practical knowledge of how to safely operate a large truck
There’s a lot of talk about
risk management and
safety in the industry these
days. Insurance companies
seek to be spared having to pay out blockbuster payments
to victims of trucking accidents, carriers feel responsible
to provide costly equipment and training to bolster safety
and prevent collisions, the motoring public complains
about feeling unsafe because of the number of CMVs on
the highway sharing roads on an aging infrastructure. Risk
management can seem so deep and broad that one doesn’t
know where or how to begin to navigate through its
many alleyways.

McCoy, who has been dealing with safety all of his career,

8 TARHEEL WHEELS

INDUSTRY NEWS

on the nation’s roadways. This places PARTS • SERVICE • SALES
the burden of providing that practical
training on the carrier. Some carriers Charlotte, NC Statesville, NC
do a better job of this than others, 4633 Equipment Drive 2221 International Drive
and the reality of that means that (704) 597-1110 (704) 252-5400
many new CMV drivers are out
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decisions may need to be made by (803) 359-0950
drivers who haven’t been adequately
prepared todo so.

Surprisingly, for McCoy, the ability
to safely operate a CMV isn’t
dependent on age alone. He is, in
fact, a proponent of issuing CDL’s
to 18- to 21-year-olds for interstate
miles. While he admits that not
all 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old drivers
possess the maturity and experience
needed, he affirms that many who are
much older fall short in these areas
as well. If the quality of training and
education is improved in schools and
in carrier orientations, McCoy thinks
safer drivers will be the result, no
matter what their age.

An interesting element of McCoy’s
own training in the Army and as
a firefighter, was the practice of
shared training. “The military
expected this,” says McCoy “of
both its commissioned officers and
enlisted personnel. Likewise, in the
fire department, every individual
is a training and safety officer, to
some extent. Additionally, both
organizations debriefed incidents
and our responses to them to
improve similar future experiences.”

McCoy credits this concept of
training one another as an important
aspect of the preparation and
formation he received for his present
position with Eagle Transport.

While the presentation of the NCTA
2020 Safety Professional of the Year
Award has been a highpoint in his
trucking career, McCoy fondly recalls
how the training of one another
concept in his previous work got

ISSUE 2 2021 9

INDUSTRY NEWS

translated into his life at Eagle Transport. A CMV driver and “My involvement with the NCTA,” he says, “has been a
trainer himself from 1987-2005, he moved into his safety work phenomenal experience for me. The professionals I’ve had
because others mentored him and helped him grow in his the opportunity to “rub elbows” with over the last 15+
understanding of himself and the importance of safety and risk years is incredible. Whether at the Annual Management or
management in the industry. Councils conferences, the Truck Driving Championships,
the involvement in the committees and the Advisory Board
“Bob Heinisch was my VP of Safety at Eagle Transport for the S & HR Council or just the ability to pick up the phone
for many years,” McCoy remembers. “He always set the bar and get another point of view from someone (usually a more
high with his example of excellence in everything he did, experienced safety professional in the industry), has been
but was so supportive and patient with me, as I grew as a extraordinary. I strongly encourage anyone in this industry to
safety manager. become involved in their state’s trucking association, because
it will give back to you as much as you put into it and more.”
The collective leadership at Eagle Transport—that
includes our president, Lance Collette, and my current VP When asked about his future hopes for the industry, McCoy is
of safety, Bree Bryant—have been a continuing source of as direct as he can be. “I hope for leadership that continues to
growth as well. They have allowed me to be involved in so hold careful risk management as the No. 1 core value in their
many aspects of our company’s development. These daily operations. A core value is something you hold on to, no
opportunities and challenges have been instrumental in my matter what is going on around you.”
own professional growth.”
Compassion may not be the immediate word that comes to
While it is often said, “It takes a village to raise a child,” so it can mind when the subject of safety surfaces, but as long as McCoy
be said that “It takes a village to form a professional.” McCoy continues to serve as a role model and spokesperson for the
has made it his business to expand his circle of relationships industry and the well-being of its employees, compassion will
beyond the company that employs him. His participation in the be shown. It too, is a core value that sticks, and Ronnie McCoy
NCTA has given him possibilities that might never have come has it in spades.
his way.

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10 TARHEEL WHEELS

INDUSTRY NEWS

TRUCKING PAYS THE FREIGHT

INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES

As of January 2021, a typical five-axle
tractor-semitrailer combination paid:

North Carolina THE INDUSTRY $7,599 These taxes
TRUCKING FAST FACTS were over and
The trucking industry in North state highway user above the
Carolina paid approximately fees and taxes & typical taxes
paid by
$1.2 billion $8,906 businesses in
North Carolina.
in federal and state roadway federal highway
taxes. (2019) user fees and
The industry paid 33% of all taxes
taxes owed by North Carolina
motorists … ROADWAY USE Miles of public
roads in North
… despite trucks representing 107,628 Carolina (2019)
only 7% of vehicle miles
traveled in the state. Miles driven
on public roads:

All Motorists: 122.5 billion

Trucks: 8.9 billion

DELIVERING A CLEANER TOMORROW

EMISSIONS FUEL CONSUMPTION

43% of U.S. commercial trucks are now The trucking industry continues to
powered by the newest-generation, improve energy and environmental
near-zero emissions diesel technology. efficiency even while increasing the
Medium- and heavy-duty trucks contribute number of miles driven. In 2019:
just 23% of all transportation-related
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in • Combination trucks accounted for
the U.S. and represent only 6% of total just 16% of the total highway
U.S. GHG emissions. transportation fuel consumed.

PARTNERSHIPS • Combination trucks consumed nearly
100 billion fewer gallons of fuel than
Through the U.S. passenger vehicles in the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s
(EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership,
the trucking industry is working with
government and businesses to quantify
greenhouse gas emissions and take steps
to reduce them.

NCTrucking.com

NorthCarolinaTrucking
Association

@NCTrucking

Updated January 2021 with most
recent data available

ISSUE 2 2021 11

ATRI UPDATE

A SHARED MISSION

ATRI celebrates 20 years with
support from the NCTA Foundation

BY DAVID MONTEITH
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The 1990s were significant ending a job as public and governmental young Rebecca Brewster? She’s been its
years for trucking research. affairs director for the chamber of president and COO for the past 19 years.
The North Carolina Trucking commerce in Cary, N.C. to move Atlanta
Association (NCTA) to take a position with the American Brewster says, “Mike really had such
established its non-profit Trucking Associations Foundation. clear vision for what he thought this
foundation in 1994 with Another few years later, Mike Wickham, organization should be. Once he
the mission— “To institute, then-CEO and chairman of the articulated that vision, Dan Murray
sponsor, establish, foster ATA Foundation, gathered trucking and I, along with ATRI’s first president,
and promote educational industry leaders to get their thoughts Susan Coughlin, set out to build the
programs and research on redesigning the foundation. The organization to fulfill a very clear
projects in the trucking seeds that would later become the mission. And that mission is very
transportation industry.” American Trucking Research Institute simple,” she says. “It’s the research
(ATRI) were being planted. ATRI which to improve the industry’s safety
Around that same time, a young woman formally became an organization in and productivity.”
by the name of Rebecca Brewster was 2001, is celebrating 20th year. And that
The common goals of the NCTA
Foundation and ATRI explain why the
two organizations have maintained a
strong relationship over the years. If this
were a marriage, the etiquette books
tell us a 20-year anniversary would be
recognized with a gift made of platinum,
symbolizing ‘strength, value,
and eternity.’

All those descriptors are true, according
to Chris Spear, president and CEO of
the American Trucking Associations.
“Whether it is calculating the cost of
congestion to our industry, identifying
chokepoints in our highway system, or
putting a price tag on the devastating
impact of nuclear verdicts on trucking,
ATRI’s work has been vital to advancing
our industry’s interests. ATA doesn’t
advocate positions based on emotion, we
deal in facts, and with ATRI’s work, we
always have the best facts,” Spear says.

Those facts come in many forms:
the Fast Facts sheets for every state
association, the annual Critical Issues in
the Trucking Industry (a.k.a. – the Top
Ten), and the Analysis of Operational
Costs of Trucking reports are updated
regularly and have become a staple for

12 TARHEEL WHEELS

ATRI UPDATE

THE ATRI TEAM CELEBRATES 20 YEARS ON MAY 17, 2021 IN SAN ANTONIO, TEX. AT ATA’S MID YEAR MEETING: Dan Murray,
senior vice president; Danielle Crownover, research analyst; Alexandra Shirk, research associate’ Joy Miller, contract administrator;
Carla Rose, research assistant; Claire Evans, research analyst; Rebecca Brewster, president & COO; Jeff Short, vice president [Not
pictured: Alex Leslie, research analyst; Mike Tunnell, director of environmental research]
PHOTO: COURTESY ATRI

trucking executives and everyone who ranked sixth on 2020’s national Top IN ADDITION TO REPORTS
else advocates for trucking issues. 10 list, but in North Carolina, driver THAT RELY ON SURVEY
retention scored as the state’s second
ATRI also produces reports that highest priority, a significant distinction. RESPONSES OR FINANCIAL
help educate everyone about the INFORMATION FROM
implications of a proposed Vehicle Those distinctions are important to CARRIERS, ATRI ALSO
Miles Tax, or trucks-only tolls. Input all state associations according to
from state trucking associations is Tommy Hodges, Chairman of Goggins RECEIVES NEAR-REAL-TIME
vital to generating the data ATRI Warehousing and former Chairman of GPS DATA FROM MORE
compiles and turns into meaningful the ATA and the Tennessee Trucking
reports that can be easily understood Associations. “One of the most THAN A MILLION TRUCKS
by a variety of stakeholders. important things ATRI does for me, IN THE COUNTRY.
is they provide the facts. When my
State associations that meet a threshold trucking career began, we were not the In addition to reports that rely on survey
of participation and encourage their most highly regarded industry in the responses or financial information
members to respond to ATRI’s surveys land. We didn’t have much clout and from carriers, ATRI also receives
can get reports tailored to their state. we didn’t get much done most of the near-real-time GPS data from more
NCTA members are among those who time. There was the thought that we than a million trucks in the country.
have participated actively and benefitted can tax or regulate those folks and there With data that precise, ATRI is able
from individualized reports. Having a aren’t enough of them to make a loud to identify bottlenecks almost as they
state report helps carriers understand noise. ATRI has changed that, because are happening, as well as identify
where their priorities differ from national they deal with the facts, and the facts patterns in recurring bottlenecks
trends. For example, ‘truck parking’ always beat opinions,” Hodges says.
ranked third and ‘driver retention’

ISSUE 2 2021 13

ATRI UPDATE

and looking at both the operational
cost data and the truck GPS data to,
very quickly, be able to monetize what’s
happening to the economy as a result of
that particular infrastructure failure.”

F O U N D AT I O N The nine-member ATRI staff receives
both direction and support from an active
that can inform state level policies “Originally, the expense was calculated to board of directors and a separate Research
and the current infrastructure bill. be about $2.4 million per day in industry Advisory Committee, made up of more
costs. And then, using that same analysis than 30 industry leaders. Together the
A recent example of the usefulness of when we looked a few weeks later, the ATRI team produces research valuable
collecting data from multiple sources average cost to the industry reduced from to the trucking industry and the broader
was seen when the I-40 bridge joining an estimated $2.4 million to $936,000 transportation industry, according to
Tennessee and Arkansas was closed per day—still a significant cost from Paul Jodoin with the Department of
abruptly after a dangerous crack in the having a piece of infrastructure become Transportation’s Office of Operations
bridge was found. The ATRI team went unavailable. It’s using that industry data in the Federal Highway Administration.
to work immediately. Brewster says,
“What the trucking community may
not realize is that Rebecca Brewster
and ATRI have also been active with the
National Traffic Incident Management
(TIM) Program during these 20 years.
Rebecca and ATRI have worked with the
DOT’s Federal Highway Administration

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to help advance the safe and efficient ATRI UPDATE
mitigation of roadway incidents. Since
2002 ATRI has supported the annual THE COMMON GOALS OF THE NCTA
TIM Self-Assessment which enables FOUNDATION AND ATRI EXPLAIN WHY THE
95–100 locations throughout the country TWO ORGANIZATIONS HAVE MAINTAINED A
to assess the level of maturity of the STRONG RELATIONSHIP OVER THE YEARS. IF THIS
local TIM Program,” Jodoin says. WERE A MARRIAGE, THE ETIQUETTE BOOKS
TELL US A 20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY WOULD BE
The North Carolina Department of RECOGNIZED WITH A GIFT MADE OF PLATINUM,
Transportation (NCDOT) has had
a formalized Incident Management SYMBOLIZING ‘STRENGTH, VALUE,
Assistance Patrol (IMAP) program AND ETERNITY.
since 1991 and has a TIM training track
within the North Carolina Highway
Patrol’s high-speed training track.

Like the NCTA Foundation, ATRI
is 501(c)(3), a non-profit. ATRI is
committed to making its research
available to everyone free of charge,
which means it relies on grants, and
contracts with the organizations like
the Department of Transportation.

Darren Hawkins, CEO of Yellow
Corporation, is another supporter of
ATRI. Hawkins says, “For more than
fifteen years Yellow has supported
the industry research work of
ATRI. Why? ATRI is the trucking
industry’s most trusted name in
research. From data on congestion
points for freight movement to
assessing industry operating costs
for trucking, the ATRI team provides
valuable research that is followed by
policy makers in Washington D.C. and
trucking executives coast-to-coast.”

With the strong relationships like those
between the NCTA Foundation and
ATRI, the trucking industry can look
forward to another 20 years of valuable
research and strengthened advocacy.

ISSUE 2 2021 15

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF ATRITHE NATION’S TOP TRUCK

This year ATRI celebrates 20 years of leadership in critical data and analysis to improve the

BIONTDTULESNTREYCKNSEW20S 21trucking industry’s safety and productivity. From the truck stop to the executive suite, to the
ANALYSsItSate house and Capitol Hill, ATRI’s reputation for providing objective industry analyses means

data-driven decision making on the industry’s biggest issues.ince 2002, the American Transportation Research Institute

S(ATRI) has collected and processed truck GPS data in support
truck GPS dataset, ATRI found average truck speeds at some of the
worst truck bottlenecks improve by 100% or more as car drivers
of numerous U.S. DOT freight mobility initiatives. Using truck GPS sheltered in place and trucks kept moving to deliver essential goods.
data from over 1 million freight trucks, ATRI develops and monitors In a separate analysis in April 2020, ATRI found state-level truck
a series of key performance measures on the nation’s freight activity increased in early February as panic-buying drove consumer
transportation system. Among many GPS analyses, ATRI converts demand, followed by a decrease in truck activity as more businesses
its truck GPS dataset into an ongoing truck bottleneck analysis that were closed. However, by April and into May, ATRI’s Truck Activity
is used to quantify the impact of traffic congestion on truck-borne Index began to improve across the states analyzed, signaling a
freight at over 300 specific locations. While other datasets may return to pre-pandemic freight demand.
identify congested corridors, no dataset available today specifically
identifies granular chokepoints in the nation’s truck freight An additional impact on traffic congestion in 2020 was the number IMPROVING SAFETY
transportation system. of roadway construction projects that were able to commence and/ AND LOWERING RISK
or advance at a faster pace due to fewer vehicles on the road during
ATRI’s annual Top Truck Bottleneck Analysis uses a full year of the pandemic. Once traffic levels increased in the second half of
truck GPS data to calculate the top chokepoints. However, 2020 2020, those construction projects became even more congested.
was by all definitions a different year with pandemic-related impacts As such, this year’s Top Truck Bottleneck list reflects a rise in
intersecting with traffic patterns. In a March 2020 analysis using its ranking in a number of locations impacted by roadway construction.

2021 TOP TRUCK BOTTLENECKS • BY THE NUMBERS On topics as wide-ranging as predicting future crash
involvement to safety technology cost-benefit analyses to

AVERAGE PEAK 33.9%up year-over-year TOP 100 BOTTLENECKS 25% 29NUMBER OF STATES obstructive sleep apnea, ATRI’s research provides a blueprint
WITH AVERAGE TRUCK for managing risk and improving roadway safety.
43.0HOUR TRUCK WITH AT LEAST ONE
mphSPEED: SPEEDS <45 MPH: TOP 100 BOTTLENECK:

WA

9# Rye, NY OPERATIONAL DATA
1-95 at I-287 YOU CAN COUNT ON

NY Whether you’re looking to route your drivers around congestion or
CT benchmark your costs against your peers in the industry, ATRI’s
analyses combine real-world data with a deep understanding of
6# Chicago, IL PA industry operations.
I-290 at I-90/I-94
LEADING WITH DATA,
1# Fort Lee, NJ NOT EMOTION
1-95 at SR 4
ATRI’s research uses data and analyses to dissect the true
CA 2# Cincinnati, OH impacts of policies and regulations across a range of critical
I-71 at I-75 topics including Hours-of-Service, autonomous vehicles, CSA,
8# St. Louis, MO tolling, and nuclear verdicts.
I-64/I-55 at I-44

10# San Bernardino, CA 7 TN
I-10 at I-15 # Chattanooga, TN 3# Atlanta, GA
I-75 at I-24 I-285 at I-85 (North)

GA

STATES WITH THE 4# Atlanta, GA
HIGHEST NUMBER OF I-20 at I-285 (West)
TOP 100 BOTTLENECKS: TX

Texas.................. 12 Georgia ................ 7 5# Houston, TX
California ............. 8 Pennsylvania....... 7 I-45 at I-69/US 59
Washington ......... 8 New York .............. 6
Connecticut......... 7 Tennessee ........... 6

For more information on ATRI’s Top Truck Bottleneck analysis, including a detailed description of the methodology, visit www.TruckingResearch.org.

WHERE THE RUBBER
MEETS THE ROAD

ATRI has a long history of research focused on the issues and
concerns of professional truck drivers. From involvement in over
40 national, state, and regional truck parking studies to quantifying
the impacts of detention, ATRI’s analyses provide a key input to
advancing the safety and productivity of the industry’s workforce.

We rely on YOU to make our research successful. Help secure ATRI’s future for
the next 20 years with a charitable contribution from you or your organization!

Visit us today online at TruckingResearch.org
to learn more about our research and commit to
supporting ATRI through a charitable contribution.

16 TARHEEL WHEELS

INDUSTRY NEWS

FTCC’s New TOM Program

New trucking operations program at Fayetteville Tech
hopes to launch the trucking industry’s next big businesses

BY ANDREW DUNN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

North Carolina’s next big trucking
industry business might have just
been born in Fayetteville.

Dola Logistics Group LLC is the because of the significant demand in the THE IDEA IS TO
brainchild of 27-year-old Dianara local trucking industry, but a shortage ATTRACT A YOUNGER
Loredon, the CEO and senior freight of available truck drivers and other
broker. She’s spent the summer getting workers, Carroll said. Employers report GENERATION OF
to know load boards and finding reliable an aging workforce, many taking early PEOPLE TO THE
shippers and carriers. In the next year, retirement, making it more difficult to TRUCKING INDUSTRY,
she plans to start buying her own fleet find qualified workers. AND HIGHLIGHT ITS
and moving the trucking component IMPORTANCE TO
in-house. The first two graduates — Loredon EVERY CONSUMER
being one of them — crossed the stage AND BUSINESS IN
“I do believe I’m going into an ever- this spring. But enrollment has steadily THE STATE, SAID
growing industry,” she told Tarheel grown: By 2020, the program was up to LUESENA MICHELLE
Wheels. “The trucking industry is in high 10 students. This fall, 20 students will be CARROLL, CHAIR
demand right now, and without it, the part of the program. OF FAYETTEVILLE
world would not run smoothly. TECH’S SUPPLY
Elite company CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Loredon is one of the first two graduates DEPARTMENT.
of Fayetteville Tech Community The new program at Fayetteville Tech
College’s Trucking Operations joins a small number of similar programs
Management program, a new associate at community colleges in North
degree program that prepares Carolina. Though the state is home to 58
students for careers in logistics, supply community colleges, only five of them
chain management, transportation, have Trucking Operations Management
warehousing and manufacturing. (TOM) programs to date: Edgecombe

Students study how goods move from
the source of the raw materials through
the manufacturing and production
process and then on to the consumer.
Courses include economics and
finance, transportation, warehousing,
computerization, supply chain
management, and safety.

The idea is to attract a younger
generation of people to the trucking
industry, and highlight its importance
to every consumer and business in the
state, said Luesena Michelle Carroll,
chair of Fayetteville Tech’s supply chain
management department.

The program was launched in fall 2018

ISSUE 2 2021 17

INDUSTRY NEWS

Community College, Forsyth Technical success at schools like Fayetteville Tech
Community College, Lenoir Community can be replicated at community colleges
College, Surry Community College, and across the state.
now, Fayetteville Tech.
“We need well-trained employees
These programs are the result of years of in every department who know
work from the North Carolina Trucking and understand our industry,” said
Association, which advocated for them Jason Smith, president of Southland
through its higher education working Transportation Co. in Dobson, in a video
group. In December 2015, the N.C. Board promoting the Trucking Operations
of Community Colleges finally approved Management programs. He said he
trucking operations management as a has sent workers to the program at
course of study. Surry Community College. Its program
launched in fall 2017.
These associate degree programs
cover everything from business law ‘Positive and supportive’
and human resources to fleet
management, maintenance and If the program spreads to other
transportation logistics. community colleges, they’ll likely find
support from trucking industry veterans
At the time, more than a dozen across the state.
community colleges were approved to
offer the program. Since then, colleges Interest has grown from the Fayetteville
have begun to add the program to their trucking industry as well. Situated right
course catalogs. off the major thoroughfare of I-95, and
close to I-40 and U.S. 74, Fayetteville is
Trucking industry leaders hope the already home to a number of trucking

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18 TARHEEL WHEELS

INDUSTRY NEWS

industry companies that ship to associate degree program works closely Operations Management program will
warehouses and distribution centers with Fayetteville Tech’s growing CDL be knowledgeable candidates for a job as
across the country, like Action Logistics program. Some TOM students will go an owner-operator, Carroll said.
and JEMG, Inc. on to start as drivers, helping to meet
overwhelming demand across the state. A diverse workforce
“The input from the local community
is very positive and supportive,” After launching in 2018, another A growing number of those candidates
Carroll said. 18 students were in the Fayetteville will be women. Fayetteville Tech
Tech CDL program this spring. The is especially focusing on increasing
Three of the eight members of the college has been purchasing new trucks the number of women in the industry.
supply chain management department’s to help train more students, and every Last year, the college hosted a
advisory committee are part of the 10-week course has been full and “Women in Transportation and
trucking industry. growing. Tuition is just $538. Logistics” event to teach potential
students about the opportunities both
Partners with CDL program That’s encouraging news. North in the CDL program and Trucking
Carolina needs some 12,000 more Operations Management.
While drivers are perhaps the most drivers to meet current demand. This
visible employees in the trucking driver shortage has been a top priority One role model for them is Loredon.
industry, Trucking Operations of the N.C. Trucking Association for Her newly created Dola Logistics
Management graduates are trained for years. The association has supported Group joins the ranks of women-owned
many other aspects of the industry. community college programs and businesses in the North Carolina
Students may choose to go into logistics, pushed the U.S. Congress to create a trucking industry.
dispatch, human resources, customer national apprenticeship program to
service, sales, safety or other roles in a encourage 18- to 20-year-old drivers to “I’m beyond excited about launching
trucking company. join and remain in the industry. a business especially being a female
in a male-dominated industry,”
But drivers are also a key component. Students who go through the Trucking Loredon said.
The Trucking Operations Management

K & TRAIE ST. Dozier
TAN 1966
TANK & WELDING CO.
LER

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Chesapeake & Richmond, VA Office: (844) 890-4234 Cell: (804) 624-9061
and Selma, NC

ISSUE 2 2021 19

Vishal Suchdeve Matt Byrd Dan Carroll Rhonda Stout Branson
Territory Account Manager Director of Sales Branch Sales Manager President
cell 919-665-8622
cell 310-595-7464 [email protected] cell 864-364-3332 office 336-674-2660
[email protected] www.inrangetech.com office 864-655-7576 [email protected]
[email protected]
www.eroad.com www.stoughtonlease.com www. stouttrucking.com

"EROAD ITNERCAHNNGOELOGIES LSTEOASUEGHTON TSTROUCUKTING, INC.

NCTA has provided After hearing about the Being a member Stout Trucking, Inc. is
valuable information and NCTA from several motor and serving with the very excited to join the
support to the truckers carriers, we were excited NCTA has been an NC Trucking Association. 
of North Carolina for to jump in and support the invaluable resource for NCTA will give us many
nearly a century. As a team!  There is no better Stoughton Lease! opportunities to be able
NCTA member, EROAD platform to learn about the Learning – The NCTA has to network with other
is proud to contribute real time issues trucking provided many platforms trucking companies
to that mission through companies are facing in for us to learn from one throughout NC.  Joining
educational content today’s environment. another, such as the wealth this organization will also
and events as well as We love the strong of information provided allow us to have access to
information about the comradery within this on a weekly basis through professional development
latest in fleet management community, and are their informative email and resources and the ability
technology. We recently encouraged to see carriers website updates. to take part in developing
partnered with NCTA and allied members Connecting – The Annual standards and best
on a webinar about the rally together to develop Management Conference practices of the trucking
growing problem of solutions that advance this has been a great way to industry within NC.  We
staged accidents targeting essential industry.  connect with likeminded truly look forward to
commercial trucks, and companies, and to work being a member of the NC
we look forward to future cooperatively towards Trucking Association.
collaborations. We hope common goals.
to see you at the Annual Serving – Having the
Council Conference and opportunity to serve on
Expo in Myrtle Beach this past year’s Annual
(Oct. 8-10), where we’ll be Management Conference
exhibiting. Please swing by Planning committee was
and say hello! both a privilege and a great
learning opportunity!

NEW MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT

20 TARHEEL WHEELS

Chris Stout Ross Dubow Michele Jacobs
CEO Director of Human Director of Safety
Resources/Dispatch cell 704-201-1249
office 336-674-2660 office 954-271-8343 [email protected]
cell 336-451-7170 cell: 954-801-7319 www.sharptransit.com
[email protected],
[email protected] www.cnelogistics.com TSHRAANRPSIT LLC
www. stouttrucking.com
WLCONOGERILSDTIWCISDE A valuable organization
TSTROUCUKTING, INC. is one that promotes all
CNE Worldwide logistics facets of business and
" joined the NCTA to gain especially sharing ideas
knowledge within the and experiences that
industry to help grow work. After attending a
our business and to few meetings I found this
continue being successful. to be the case with NCTA.
We look forward to Sharp Transit and I really
taking advantage of look forward to future N.C.
future networking and relationships with trucking
event opportunities the companies working
membership provides! together to make us great
do w we!

NCTA
WELCOMES

NEW
MEMBERS

ISSUE 2 2021 21

NCTA 2021 ANNUAL COUNCILS CONFERENCE & EXPO

LOOKING FORWARD

NCTA hosted its Annual Councils
Conference & Expo

BY DAVID MONTEITH
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Based on the success of the NCTA Annual industry and the country for more than a year. Employers
Management Conference in July, those in have been navigating shifting rules and recommendations
the trucking industry are eager to spend on maintaining safe working conditions, options for working
time learning and laughing together. The remotely, and changes to the workforce. Some states
NCTA is following up the well-attended have pulled federal unemployment benefits earlier than is
management conference with the Annual required in an effort to fill the extraordinary number of job
Councils Conference & Expo. openings. These factors have only compounded the driver
shortage being faced by the trucking industry well before the
This year’s conference was hosted at the Hilton Myrtle Beach pandemic began.
Resort in South Carolina, Oct. 8–10. In addition to general
sessions addressing industry-wide issues like Lessons Learned As part of the Human Resources track, Wendy Ratcliff,
from the Inside of Staged Accident Litigation and Why Your director of HR services for Western Carolina Industries,
Safety and Operations Aren’t Working Together, attendees addressed “employee engagement in a post-COVID world.”
had time for networking, visiting vendors and participating in And Meredith Priestly, vice president and general counsel
tracks focused on safety and compliance, human resources or for Cargo Transporters moderated a panel discussion on the
technology and maintenance. Family and Medical Leave Act. In addition to pandemic-specific
topics, the human resources track will feature a discussion
Human Resources Track on the finer points of the Protecting the Right to Organize
(PRO) Act.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of the

22 TARHEEL WHEELS

NCTA 2021 ANNUALCOUNCILSCONFERENCE &EXPO

Safety & Compliance Track the preliminary results of the “Run on Less – Electric” program.

Some days it may not feel like it, but there was a post-COVID Benjamin Phillips, director of maintenance for the Yarbrough
world, and the issues present prior to the pandemic will still be a Transfer Company updated attendees on Vehicle Maintenance
priority, including the increasing number of nuclear verdicts and Reporting Standards (VMRS), how to use VMRS for
their impact on the industry. improved cost analyses, and how to use benchmarking to
improve performance.
Hayden Cardiff is the founder and chief innovation officer
for Idelic, a company that focuses on using data and artificial Outside the Tracks
intelligence to reduce crashes. Cardiff was sharing strategies for
preventing nuclear verdicts. The early stages of planning for the conference didn’t address
the infrastructure bill because its future was uncertain.
Attorney and NCTA board member, Ben Greenberg, presented By October, the details should be clearer. Industry leaders
on how to prepare a safety director for a deposition. The addressed the implications of the infrastructure bill formally
conference hosted a representative from the Department and informally throughout the conference at numerous
of Homeland Security who spoke about security outreach networking opportunities.
programs specific to the trucking industry.
And when a break was needed, the beach is right outside the door
Technology and Maintenance Track of the Hilton. Myrtle Beach is also well-known for its golf
courses, and, as a common vacation spot, has a number of other
Attacking factors that cause climate change has returned to the relaxing attractions.
priority list under the Biden administration, especially in the
wake of severe weather events like the wildfires in California To view photos of events and attendees from this year's
and last year’s intense hurricane season. With that in mind, the annual councils conference, go to NCTA's Facebook page at
technology and maintenance track will feature presentations https://www.facebook.com/NorthCarolinaTruckingAssociation
and discussion on greenhouse gas reduction, including Frank Bio and be sure to watch for registration details for NCTA's 2022
with the North American Council for Freight Efficiency sharing Annual Councils Conference as it's sure to be even better!

ISSUE 2 2021 23

COVER STORY

DOING THE
RIGHT THINGS

BY RENEE MILLER
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL GRAY

24 TARHEEL WHEELS

Luke Mangum, co-owner of Mangum’s, Inc. and incoming
chairman of the NCTA, grew up in the shadow of a man who
taught him that when you come home exhausted from a
day’s work ready to sit down and put your feet up, and the
phone rings and someone needs your help, you just get up
and go help. No whining. You just get up and go.
Luke and his twin brother Alex, saw their dad, Earl, living this
teaching every day and that ethic of service stuck with Luke. “This
is a helping and sacrificing industry,” he says. “We saw this up close
during the pandemic and I don’t want people to forget. It was a small
glimpse into what has always been going on, and I want to get in
front of people and tell that story before others try to tell it who are
not in the industry and haven’t experienced our perspective.”
Luke’s passion is inspiring and infectious. He has energy in his voice
when he talks about his work, the industry, the possibilities for
the future. He’s not just putting in time or trying to garner a huge
payout from a prosperous business or avoid the labor that being an
owner of a large and successful company can bring. “I don’t do it
for the money,” he says with feeling. “I do it because of the joy and
satisfaction it brings me.”
Ryan Chambers, President of Chambers Transportation Services
and past NCTA Chairman agrees. “His passion for the industry
is shown with every task he tackles in the association. If he says
he’s going to be involved with something you know it will be done
correctly… every time.”

LUKE MANGUM, ABOUT AS DOWN-TO-EARTH
AS A PERSON CAN GET, SHARES

HIS VIEWS ON HOW TO GET THINGS DONE.

ISSUE 2 2021 25

COVER STORY

Luke is one of those business owners who actually enjoys “HIS PASSION FOR THE INDUSTRY
working, but then, he’s been working with two of his favorite IS SHOWN WITH EVERY TASK HE
people all his life – his dad, and his twin brother Alex. When TACKLES IN THE ASSOCIATION. IF HE
Earl Mangum started the business in 1969, he wasn’t looking to SAYS HE’S GOING TO BE INVOLVED WITH
create a big company. Luke remembers those days. “I grew up in SOMETHING YOU KNOW IT WILL BE DONE
a house where everyone worked. Mom was a teacher, and she’s
still a hard worker today. My father was intent on providing for CORRECTLY… EVERY TIME.”
his family. My two brothers and I saw that, and we knew we were
part of that,” Luke says with gratitude. —RYAN CHAMBERS, PRESIDENT &
CEO, CHAMBERS TRANSPORTATION
In those days, it was easy for youngsters to work for their
parents; in fact, it was encouraged. So, he and his brothers ethic, his own desire to provide for his family, and gave him
would answer the phone calls that kept coming in. “The people a sense of the bigger purpose that his life held. When he went
who called had no idea how old we were, but dad had taught us off to college at UNCW, his sights were set on studying finance
all we needed to know,” says Luke. and the mortgage bank business. He even received offers
in that industry after he graduated. Yet, he decided those
“We took down information and asked the proper questions. offers couldn’t match the vocation he felt to be back at his
Dad made sure we were well versed in all aspects of the business. dad’s company.
By the time I was 16, I was out there helping dad load trucks in
distress; at 18 I had my CDL and was towing the trucks myself.” Brother Alex took a slightly different path. He too, began at UNCW,
but left to get his maintenance and diesel mechanic degree from
After a moment’s thought, Luke continues, “Today, kids a community college. The third brother, Chip, followed in his
can’t work with their parents the way we did because of child mother’s footsteps and went into education and now serves as the
labor laws, but I don’t think this is going to benefit us in the assistant superintendent of Harrnett County Schools.
long term.”

Working with and for his dad as a boy solidified Luke’s work

26 TARHEEL WHEELS

COVER STORY

Surprisingly, Luke and Alex were born on Chip’s 5th birthday, so the motoring public are safe. At the same time, we’re a heavily
all three brothers share the same birthday. regulated industry, and need to keep a sharp eye making sure
we’re heard when rules and regulations are being made that
We often don’t realize where the twists and turns our decisions concern our industry.”
will take us. Little did the twin brothers know what effect their
college decisions would have. When Luke returned to the Of course, this kind of advocacy work not only requires
company, there were 10 employees. Those 10 grew to the current volunteer hours by a host of people. It also requires the bucks
number of 124. A company with one location grew to have six. to get it done. Luke’s enthusiasm is contagious when he talks
One towing and repair company became three companies about the N.C. Trucking for Advancement program that will
that now include a towing and repair company, a maintenance help raise those bucks.
company (overseen by Alex), and a transportation company.
“This program will give us the chance to generate additional
Luke remarks, “With three like-minded individuals working funds to help educate through commercials and literature.
together and putting in all kinds of hours we advanced in ways We’ve gotten the funding off the ground, but we need to keep
we couldn’t have imagined into a home-grown, family-owned moving. Money talks. Money helps educate. It makes it possible
company. We’re proud of what we’ve done and grateful for to be where we need to be – in Raleigh and in Washington
our blessings.” – demanding that our voice be heard.” Taking it on almost
as a personal mission he says, “I want to raise money to help
In his humble way, he’s quick to point out, “We couldn’t have with this.”
done it, however, without the people who we believe have been
sent to us, people who have helped us grow. The blessing those If he says he’s going to do it, Keith Barnes, president and co-
people are to us is incredible. We were small, not very well owner of Barnes Transportation Services, Inc., and immediate-
known, and people just seemed to stumble across us. They saw past chairman of the NCTA, knows he will.
our culture and wanted to be a part of it. We have people from all
different backgrounds working with us. Not working for us – but “Luke’s not scared to deal with local problems or the problems
with us. As we continue to grow, we’re bringing in more folks. our industry has in Washington. I have seen Luke go toe to toe
It’s really true about 6 degrees of separation.” with Senators on issues related to our industry. When Luke
believes in something, he is all in. He confronts the issues
Jerry Brown, now retired after 42 years with a nationwide that plague our industry and pushes to get the results that are
aftermarket distributor of heavy-duty truck and trailer parts, needed. He will fight to get the answers that he believes will
works part time for Mangum’s, Inc. His view squares up with help us.”
Luke’s assessment. “Luke has an unwavering desire to take
care of his employees. He puts time, resources, and finances In fact, the transportation company that is part of Mangum’s,
into helping them professionally, financially, and sometimes Inc. is a direct result of Luke’s willingness to push the
overlooked, their mental and spiritual wellbeing.”

As Luke steps into his new role on NCTA’s board, his primary
goal is to advocate for the industry. The transportation industry
is always under scrutiny and experiencing constant change. In
the midst of those changes, Luke wants to ensure that everyone
is heard and that there is a meeting of the minds.

“We need to listen to the small guy as well as the big guy, and
then we need to meet in the middle.” Luke acknowledges that
many of the rules and regulations lawmakers have initiated,
have helped the industry.

He’s not trying to sidestep what’s in place. In fact, he seems to
have a similar attitude to former NFL Coach Herm Edwards
who, when speaking to a group of high school students at a
practice for the Under Armour All-American game, said, ‘That
name on the back of your jersey belongs to your parents and you
don’t screw it up.’

Luke says, “My last name rides on the side of every truck and
on the breastplate of every uniform of our employees, so I
want to do the right thing, to make sure that our drivers and

ISSUE 2 2021 27

COVER STORY

boundaries. As their towing business was growing, Mangum’s,
Inc. bought trailers for the towing service. Then they began
getting calls from construction companies to move their
heavy equipment.

Quoting Theodore Roosevelt, Luke says “When you are asked if
you can do a job, tell ‘em, ‘Certainly I can!’ Then get busy and
find out how to do it. And that’s what we did. You need to work
hard at every opportunity, no matter how big or small.”

Barnes agrees. “Luke is not scared to think outside the box to
resolve issues,” he says.

So, the circus called one day. It seems the train that carried
their lions had broken down. The circus had a show in Atlanta,
and what’s a circus without the lions? Those lions needed to be
moved off the train and transported to Atlanta. Mangum’s, Inc.
hadn’t moved lions before. But they had special trailers, so in
Luke’s mind, it was just another opportunity to think outside
the box. With some clever moves and creative planning, the
lions and their cages were loaded on Mangum’s, Inc. trailers and
began their trek to Atlanta.

Things don’t always go according to plan, however. En route to
Atlanta, a motorist from Charlotte ran into the truck that was
hauling the lions.

“This all sticks out in my mind,” says Luke with a chuckle. “You

28 TARHEEL WHEELS

COVER STORY

A LOAD ON OUR TRUCK IS
A LOAD OFF YOUR MIND.

Along with providing a diversity of programs and types of freight one of the most
important things we do as a business is treat you as a person and not a number.
We have an open door policy where you can speak to a driver manager, planner,
director of operations, and even the owners at any time. We are all family and we

understand that the only way Barnes is successful is if you are successful!

We are here to provide guidance in whatever program you choose
and provide the tools to take you where you want to go.

Four generations.
Eighty years in operation.

2309 Whitley Road | Wilson, NC 27895 252-291-8282 | 800-898-5897 | barnestransport.com

ISSUE 2 2021 29

√ SAVE THE DATE!

NC TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP
NC TOPTECH CHALLENGE
JUNE 10-11, 2022
Nc Fairgrounds

Raleigh, North Carloina

30 TARHEEL WHEELS

COVER STORY

“YOU NEED TO WORK HARD AT
EVERY OPPORTUNITY, NO MATTER HOW

BIG OR SMALL.”

can just imagine when we had all pulled to the side of the road The world of logistics is immense and Luke believes that with
and were asked what we were hauling, we had to say, ‘lions!’” the proper workplace development, more people will consider
Thankfully, the collision wasn’t serious, and the lions continued the massive opportunities available to them in the industry.
their travel safely to Atlanta.
With a touch of humor, Luke says, “When the word logistics is
Luke’s no stranger to challenges, and as he thinks about his new spoken, people usually think UPS or FedEx, but there’s so much
role as NCTA chairman, he recognizes the difficulties the industry more to it than those two well-known companies. Trucking
faces. We’re used to saying and hearing that the driver shortage is should not be a failsafe position when someone can’t get a job.”
the number one challenge that needs to be overcome. Luke sees the
driver shortage as a symptom of two greater realities: the change in Then in truly visionary fashion Luke suggests, “The vocation
culture, and the critical need for workplace development. These of trucking and logistics needs to be as important as being a
are two issues that ignite his fire for what he wants to give his energy doctor or a lawyer.” Imagine if parents were telling that to their
to in the coming months. kids. To move in that direction, Luke wants to work with the
North Carolina legislature to put together ‘training trailers’ to
“It’s not just a shortage of people to drive,” remarks Luke. “The showcase the career opportunities within the industry from
culture is changing. I don’t think we can change the culture, but drivers, to mechanics, to accounting, to CEOs.
be we have to be wise enough to know that it is changing, and then
make proper responses to those changes. We know that drivers He wants those training trailers used not just at high schools
are asking for more home time and the industry has responded and colleges for career days, but among the general public;
by adding more distribution centers so that drivers are closer to underscoring the need to impact the changing culture. “People
their home base. But we have to do more. We need to change the make a great career choice by going into this industry,” says
perception of the industry. We need to help the public see that Luke. “But we have to tell the story. We have to get it out there.”
being a trucker delivering goods and services is a sacrifice – a
respectable sacrifice. When the public takes what they have in So, what keeps Luke so highly motivated to make a difference
their lives for granted, without recognizing and respecting how it in the lives of others and in the industry as a whole? First, is his
got there, the perception of our industry is lowered. I want to have Christian faith. Luke believes that his blessings and his purpose
some influence there. I want to proclaim that truck drivers need to in life are derived from that faith.
be appreciated and esteemed. We need to figure out how to put a
spotlight on all the positive sides of the transportation industry.” After that, it’s the people who have made a difference in his own
life. His family has been the underpinning for his own success
The pandemic did serve to shine a spotlight on the industry, yet it’s and their support has served as a model for how he wants to
not commonplace for young people to wake up saying they want encourage others.
to be a truck driver when they grow up. Perhaps more telling, it’s
not commonplace for parents to encourage young people to even He says of himself, “I’m not a very deep guy.” But this not very
consider having a career in the transportation industry when they deep guy understands the importance of deep relationships. In
grow up. addition to his wife and his family, he says he has been inspired
by the people in the NCTA.

“It’s not always easy to find folks to connect with who
understand. I’ve been involved in the NCTA for seven years and
it’s a blessing to have people to relate to, share problems with,
and call up on the phone when you’re having a bad day.”

He also participates in ‘C-12,’ a Christian business leaders’
group. “This has really been important for me because the group
is composed of leaders from across many industries. You get a
better perspective of your own industry when you interact with
those in other industries.” When Barnes was asked how he had
been personally impacted by Luke, his answer was immediate.

ISSUE 2 2021 31

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COVER STORY

“WE’RE PROUD OF WHAT WE’VE DONE
AND GRATEFUL FOR OUR BLESSINGS.”

“When I call him and need advice, I know I can count on him
to help. He’s a hands-on kind of person.”
These qualities aren’t just part of one’s personality, they are
cultivated by those around us who shape us through their own
modeling. When Luke was growing up, there were leaders at
his church called ‘Royal Ambassadors’ who served as coaches
for young people. Luke is affectionately reflective as he talks
about what those leaders have meant to him.
“They were so unselfish, and I learned so much from them.
If I could be half the man they were, I will be someone. As I
get older and they pass on, I feel sad. Yet, I know they did their
job and I need to do mine for the next generation. We were all
mentored whether we believe it or not. And now it’s time to do
our mentoring of those who will follow us.”
These men were heroes in Luke’s life. Luke Mangum is likely
to be a hero himself.

CONTACT:
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Vice President
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(704) 756-9440 or [email protected]

For all your transportation needs

738750_Peoples.indd 1 16/03/15 7:05 pm

ISSUE 2 2021 33

NCTA 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

ENJOYING TODAY, IMPROVING TOMORROW

A recap of the NCTA
Annual Management Conference

BY DAVID MONTEITH
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

With nearly 400 people in attendance, the 2021 NCTA Annual around the
Management Conference was the second highest attended ever. harbor in
Friends and colleagues from the trucking industry with name the 84-foot
badges hanging from lanyards, sat around round tables with schooner, The
white tablecloths, ate from long tables covered with buffets, Pride, or tour
bid in a silent auction with everything from crayons to Braves the city.
tickets, and cheered or groaned at the sound of chips being won
and lost during casino night. This year’s NCTA Management Conference was the first for
American TruckingAssociations chair, Sherri Garner Brumbaugh,
These were the signs of celebration and camaraderie that who is also the president and CEOof the Garner Transportation
punctuated presentations and meetings focused on “improving Group.Brumbaugh said “shooting skeet off a boat,” was her favorite
tomorrow’s bottom line.” Outgoing NCTA Chairman Keith extracurricular activity.She also enjoyed meetingnew friendsand
Barnes, president and sharing the ATA’s strategic priorities for the trucking industry, which
co-owner of Barnes include guardingagainst lawsuit abuse, protecting independent
Transportation Services contractors, addressingtruck parking issues, improving hours-of-
said, “You know, with
everyone pinned down with
the pandemic situation for
the past year, I think people
just wanted to get out of the
house and be normal again.
It was good to hear people
laugh and tell stories about
our industry again.”

In this case,normal looked

like the five-star Belmond

Charleston Placein
Charleston,S.C., hometo
trucking executives andtheir
families July 18–20. Theconferencekickedoff withNorth Carolina’s
officialambassadors of music, TheEmbers. Theregionalfavorites
who’ve been inductedintothestate’s Rhythm andBluesHallof
Fame and Beach MusicHall of Fameset afestivetonefor the event.
With pandemic restrictions liftedat thetime, peoplewere free to
dance and enjoy chattingwithoneanother.

Each day of the conference, panel discussions onbest practices and

news on the latest economictrends andforecasts werecombined
with networking andsocial activities. This year’s conference
introduced the “Jr. Trucker’s Club”withactivities designed to
engage kids ages 3– 12 whiletheirparents wereinmeetings.There
were activities forspouses andcompanions too. Theafternoons
were setaside forfamilyandfunwithoptions toplaygolf, sail

34 TARHEEL WHEELS

NCTA 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

serviceregulations,and otherregulatoryreforms. Brumbaughsaid “YOU KNOW, WITH EVERYONE PINNED
theATAisforecastingthedrivershortagewill exceed 100,000by DOWN WITH THE PANDEMIC SITUATION
2023,butemployer-sponsored apprenticeshipsand supervised FOR THE PAST YEAR, I THINK PEOPLE JUST
probationaryperiodsfor18 to 21-year-old interstatedriversmay WANTED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND
help fill the gaps. BE NORMAL AGAIN. IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR
PEOPLE LAUGH AND TELL STORIES ABOUT
Attendeesgotthechanceto addressmanyofthosechallengeswith
oneanotherduringthebenchmarkingand bestpracticessessions. OUR INDUSTRY AGAIN.”
KeithBarneshelped bringtheprogramto theNCTAand was
happyto seeitbeinguseful forhiscolleagues. “Wenow haveour —KEITH BARNES, BARNES TRANSPORTATION &
benchmarkingprogramsetto meetmultipletimesayear,” hesaid. OUTGOING NCTA CHAIRMAN
The best practices conversations can be tough because participants
areexpected to sharethedifficultiestheircompaniesface.But sometimes feel like a thankless profession,
in exchange for that vulnerability, they receive so awards from within their own ranks are
suggestionsand ideasfromtheirpeerswho have especially meaningful.
overcome similar challenges. Thisyear’sceremoniesincluded honoring Larry Tysinger with a
LifetimeAchievementAward.Tysinger helped establish the first
Bybringingpeopletogetherand settingasidetime FreightlinerdealershipinNorth Carolinaand grew it to seven
for these discussions, the conference allowed dealershipswithmorethan400 employees during his 60 yearsin
managementto takeabreakfromtheputting theindustry.Herecentlyretired and sold his dealerships to Velocity
out the daily fires that require near-constant TruckCenters,butnotbefore he was convinced the new owners
attentionwhileonthejob. Thisyear,panelists would takegood careofhiscustomers.
JerrySigmon,Jr.,COOofCargo Transporters,Roy Asanownerand manager,heprided himself on being employee-
Cox,presidentand CEOofBestLogisticsGroup, friendlyand focusingoncustomer service.He built the first
and CatherineEzzell Joyner,presidentofEzzell
Trucking,Inc.,shared theoutcomesofthefirst
benchmarking roundtable in April.

Tim Almack, a CPA
with Katz, Sapper &
Miller,moderated a
panel on the North
Carolina Motor
Carrier Economic
Benchmarking Study
results. Presenter
Zeeshan Malik,
also withKSM,and
panelists Joe Duncan,
the senior vice
president of finance
at Eagle Transport
Corporations,and Phil
Peck, president of Epes
Transport System,
shared theirthoughtsonaveragedriverpay,expected repairsand
maintenancecosts,industrycapacityand thedrivershortage.

RobMoseley,anattorneywiththeMoseleyMarcinakLaw Group
gave participants the benefits of his experiences from taking more
than80casesto trial instateand federal courts. Hetalked abouthow
driverstandards,leadership,companyculture,companybrand and
image,and safetystandardscanaffecttheoutcomeofacrash.

Theconferencealso gaveparticipantstheopportunity to
be recognized for their accomplishments. Trucking can

ISSUE 2 2021 35

NCTA 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SelecTruck saleslot andoffice
in the country,andTysinger
was the NCTA’s alliedmember
chairman many times duringhis
long tenure in theorganization.
He’s alsobeen a regularattendee
of the conference.

Keith Barnes, who presented
many of the awards, said, “I
was inspired when I spoke to
Larry Tysinger. He has been
coming to the conference for

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Greg Marvin FAX (336) 475-4868 become regular attendees.“I thought this was one of our bestrun
36 TARHEEL WHEELS [email protected] conferences,” he said, addingthat many people commentedto
him how much they enjoyed it.“Also, one of the best compliments
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trucking association conferences.They said the North Carolina

NCTA 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

“YOU KNOW, WITH EVERYONE PINNED
DOWN WITH THE PANDEMIC SITUATION
FOR THE PAST YEAR, I THINK PEOPLE JUST
WANTED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND
BE NORMAL AGAIN. IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR
PEOPLE LAUGH AND TELL STORIES ABOUT

OUR INDUSTRY AGAIN.”

—KEITH BARNES, BARNES TRANSPORTATION &
OUTGOING NCTA CHAIRMAN

conference is one of the best attended.” An important metric MILESTONE HAS YOUR TRAILER
(or KPI) for organizers and vendors alike.
MILESTONE KEEPS YOU MOVING
The conference closed with the election of new officers and
directors for 2021-2022, but not before another round of laughs Flexible leasing For solutions to your trailer leasing needs
from keynote speaker, Jase Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame. On 90,000+ fleet assets visit milecorp.com/NCTA or contact your
his “Unashamed” podcast after the conference, Robertson said he National network North Carolina Account Manager below:
told the emcee to introduce him by saying, “Jase is a simple man. Peak surge and storage capacity
His priorities are God, people, and ducks—in that order.” That Fleet purchase and restructuring RICK BALLWEG
kicked off his presentation which included his thoughts on his Exceptional service [email protected]
faith as well as jokes about truckers and the industry. Robertson (704) 920-0485
was thankful his jokes landed better on the audience at the
conference than they did with his wife. “I felt way better about the milecorp.com/NCTA
trucking executives after this encounter,” he said.

No doubt, everyone in attendance felt better after the conference.
Getting to be ‘normal’ and enjoy one another’s company for a
while was a nice respite before wrestling with another surge of
Covid cases and the uncertainty surrounding the infrastructure
bill. Focusing on improving tomorrow doesn’t always mean giving
up on enjoying today.

ISSUE 2 2021 37

NCTA 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

TRUCKING IS LIFE

From the smallest repair to the biggest, our team is dedicated to getting you
back on the road with service you can count on. We have the very best certified

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38 TARHEEL WHEELS

NCTA 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

“I WAS INSPIRED WHEN I SPOKE
TO LARRY TYSINGER. HE HAS BEEN
COMING TO THE CONFERENCE FOR
THE PAST 50 YEARS AND PLANS ON

CONTINUING TO DO SO.”

—KEITH BARNES, BARNES TRANSPORTATION &
OUTGOING NCTA CHAIRMAN

ISSUE 2 2021 39

NCTA 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

40 TARHEEL WHEELS

NCTA 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

ISSUE 2 2021 41

AN INSIDE LOOK

M-F, 919-736-0224. Dispatch, Towing, and Road Service are 24/7.
252-237-4256. Dispatch handles calls for the Rocky Mount, and Wilson
locations servicing Roanoke Rapids to Fayetteville.

Thermo King of the Carolinas Prepass Safety Alliance

As a Blue Track by Thermo King dealer, we’re dedicated to delivering PrePass Bypass App Offers New Ways to Save Time and Money
extraordinary service to keep you on the road. We’ve made the
commitment and investment to make sure better, faster, and more PrePass customers now have more options when it comes to receiving
proactive service drives uptime for you - our customers. Service weigh station bypass notifications and green lights, saving them more
that excels will keep your fleets up and running and your drivers time and money than ever before. The PrePass application is now
on the road. What Blue Track by Thermo King means for you: As a available on Omnitracs One enabled devices and through the Geotab
world-class dealer, we’ve taken extra measures to ensure we’re here Marketplace, where it can be used with the Geotab Drive app.
for you when you need us. Whether its extended hours, transparent
communications, express service, or customer experience, we have With the PrePass app, drivers receive notification of an upcoming
you covered. As a Blue Track by Thermo King dealer, we’re committed weigh station about two miles out. PrePass then verifies the carrier
to exceptional service 100% of the time. credentials, safety scores, and vehicle weights, where available, to
determine the bypass decision. Drivers receive notification from the
Mangum’s, Inc. PrePass app to bypass or pull into the weigh station, all while the truck
travels at highway speed.
Mangum’s New Location
As a bundled service, the PrePass app works seamlessly with an
Mangum’s Transportation Solutions has enhanced its repair shop optional transponder to support electronic toll payment and
capabilities in the Goldsboro market with two buildings located at management services. PrePass customers also receive access to
2369 US Highway 70 East, Goldsboro, NC 27530. The truck shop faces INFORM truck fleet software. This easy-to-use software helps fleet
highway 70 and right behind it, a trailer shop that faces Centura Drive. owners and managers analyze bypass and toll activity to spot trends,
mitigate safety and toll fraud risks, and provide new insights into
With this expansion comes the ability to provide alignments using their operations.
Hunter engineering equipment, tires, DOT inspections, brakes,
drivetrain, hydraulics, and most medium and heavy-duty truck For more information as to how PrePass can save you time and money
repairs. Driveshaft repair with computerized balancing is available. go to PrePass.com or call 1-800-773-7277 – Opt. 2.
The trailer shop provides fabrication, inspections, hydraulic hose
assembly, and normal trailer repairs needed. There are six employees TBS FACTORING
at this shop to help you.
How many successful CEOs do you know who go around telling
Mangum’s keeps some of its road service vehicles at this location potential clients not to use their services? Meet Jennifer Lickteig, CEO
with technicians that do not work in the shop but are solely dedicated of TBS Factoring Service, one of the nation’s largest and most-respected
to unit down situations. That allows them to get to a unit quicker, freight factoring companies. TBS makes its money buying freight bills
analyze, repair, and minimize your down time. from independent owner-operators who need cash fast. Lickteigsays
truckers should look at factoring as a last resort but recommends that
If a tow is needed our professional towing and recovery operators are every trucking company establish a factoring relationship, not only for
trained and ready for the call. The Goldsboro shop hours are 7:30-4:30 leantimes, but as a risk management tool, to vet shippers and brokers,
evenonloads that they do not intend to factor.

“Factoring is a way for truckers to ensure that they’ll get paid for their
work,” Lickteig said. “And a factoring relationship is a great way for
truckers to make sure that someone’s got their back. But there is
nothing we like better than seeing a client ‘graduate’ to where they
don’t need us and can put that extra folding money in their pocket.”

42 TARHEEL WHEELS

AN INSIDE LOOK / INDUSTRY NEWS

TBS works with truckers across the United States. I’d love to arrange Your search for simple, reliable, quality insurance stops here.
an interview for you or a staff writer to help your readers/members Latorre Insurance is a full-service, independent insurance brokerage
better understand when they should and shouldn’t use a factor, and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Our licensed staff
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to lure them in with a teaser rate or merchant cash advance, that could throughout the Carolinas. 
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Insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. Latorre Insurance is the
top choice for commercial trucking professionals who are seeking a With offices in Charlotte and Greensboro, we offer the expertise
dependable insurance partner to keep their business driving forward. necessary to deliver an unrivaled portfolio of coverages and pricing
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agency, we represent a variety of carriers which offers us the flexibility
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When it comes to your commercial trucking insurance, you need more
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UNIFI DRIVER MIKE BAITY INDUCTED INTO NPTC/
OMNITRACS DRIVER HALL OF FAME

Bailty earns prestigious recognition after 35 years and 3.2 million miles of
accident-free driving with not much as a moving violation

BY NPTC STAFF
PHOTO: COURTESY NPTC

In 35 years company’s plants. After proving his ability
behind the to be a safe driver he was promoted to
wheel, Mike has local truck driver. He currently works 50-55
accumulated hours per week, driving around 1,800 miles
3.2 million miles primarily in Western North Carolina, hauling
of safe driving textiles and general merchandise.
without a
single accident He has won numerous company safe driving awards in addition
or moving to being named the North Carolina Trucking Association
violation. He Driver of the Month in 2011. But Mike doesn’t rest on his
joined Unifi laurels. He finds ways to sharpen his skills by completing
in 1979 as a defensive driver training and first-aid training. Plus, he gives
yard switcher back to Unifi as a driver trainer.
moving
trailers at the He has od and supplies to hurricane and flood victims in
company’s Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina and he delivers
distribution Christmas presents and clothes to families in West Virginia for
center in Christmas for God’s Pit Crew. He is a member of Peace Haven
Yadkinville, NC Baptist Church where he has served as a Deacon, the Children’s
and, in 1986, Sunday School Director, and an Assistant Sunday School
he was given the chance to drive over- Teacher. He also has volunteered in local mission projects, as a
the-road, moving trailers between the coach in both youth baseball and football and was the President
of the Forbush High School Athletic Booster Club.

ISSUE 2 2021 43

CALENDAR TARHEEL WHEELS
ADVERTISING
November RESOURCE INDEX
11 & 12 2021
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44 TARHEEL WHEELS CRTS Inc, Utility Trailer Sales
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Dozier Tank & Welding
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Excel Truck Group
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Fred’s Towing & Transport
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G&S Road Service
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Great West Casualty Company
www.gwccnet.com Inside back cover

Gregory Poole Equipment Company
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Ideal Transport
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Mangum’s Heavy Truck and Trailer Repair
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MHC Kenworth
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NCTA Annual Conference
www.nctrucking.com/2022-annual-
management-conference/ 44

NCTA TDC & Top Tech Competitions

www.nctrucking.com/tdc-and-technician-
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People’s United Financial
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PrePass Safety Alliance
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TBS Factoring
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Thermo King
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Truckers Against Trafficking
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BY THE NUMBERS

WORST PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WITH
NON-CONSENSUAL TOWS

9% 3%

88%

EXCESSIVE RATES AND FEES ACCESS AND RELEASE ISSUES

TOWING COMPANY SELECTION PROCESS

SOURCE: ATA NATIONAL ACCOUNTING & FINANCE COUNCIL TOWING 2021 SURVEY RESPONSES

ISSUE 2 2021 45

OUTTAKES

WILL WORK WITH ANYONE WILLING
TO WORK WITH US

BY CHRIS SPEAR
GUEST WRITER

Afterthetumultuous events of The bipartisan infrastructure billalso contains acrucialprovision
last year, weknew2021 would establishing anationalpilot program based on the DRIVE-Safe
beapivotal yearfortrucking Act.This three-year pilot authorizes up to 3,00018-20-year-old
advocacy. Theturmoilwrought drivers to participate in the apprenticeship program at any onetime,
byCOVID-19, followed by undergoing advanced safety training and empoweringthemto
acontentious election that participate in interstate commerce.Granting this vital18-20-year-
changedthebalanceof power old talent poolacareer path into our industry is criticalto growing
inWashington, presents us and strengtheningour industry’s workforce and addressingthe
with new challenges and long-term driver shortage that threatens the resilience of our
opportunities as we pursue our nationalsupply chain.
pro-trucking, pro-safety and
pro-growth agenda. Securing this provision in the infrastructure package was no
small feat given the hyper-partisan political climate on Capitol
No matter who holds the Hill, and it speaks to the power of the ATA Federation’s advocacy
levers of power in D.C., our efforts. We enlisted Democrat and Republican champions in
mantra remains the same: the Senate to get the pilot inserted in the base bill and keep it
ATA will work with anyone protected throughout the amendment process. Notably, we also
who’s willing to work with fought to include language that requires the U.S. Department of
us. While navigating a new administration and Congress, Transportation to initiate the program within 60 days of the bill’s
that posture has served us well as we advance several tier-one enactment, which will prevent bureaucrats from sitting on it as a
priorities this year, including federal infrastructure investment means to delay and kill it.
and workforce development.
Beyond the nation’s capital, we’ve witnessed fruitfuladvocacy
It appears the moment forinfrastructurehas arrivedwith the efforts in state houses around the country.The ATA Federationis
Senate’s passageof amajorinfrastructureinvestment billon engaged in amulti-prong, multi-year campaign to stop lawsuitabuse
August10.Whileit’s beenalongslog—andat timeof this writing, against motor carriers by the plaintiffs’ bar.This year we’ve won
more steps remainintheHouseof Representatives —the close, significant victories in Louisiana, West Virginia, Texas, Montana
working relationships we’vecarefullycultivatedwithcommittee and Missouri — and pursuing similar measures at the federallevel-
chairmen and otherinfluential legislators from bothsides of the -to reform the civiljustice system, reduce the threat of nuclear
aisle,in both the HouseandSenate, haveput us instrong position verdicts and help ensure trialattorneys can’t keep pervertingthe
toshape the finaloutcomeof this legislation. We’veworked to court room into a profit center to line their pockets at the expenseof
ensure pro-truckingmeasures areincludedinthebipartisan billand hardworking truckers.
successfully fought tokeepanti-truckingmeasures out of it.
Although our work is far from over, 2021 is proving to be a
The bill provides a significant boost in federal highway and consequential year for trucking advocacy. Guided by a sound
bridge funding above the current baseline, which will yield strategy, and bolstered by the hard work of advocates throughout
measure returns for our industry. Years of underinvestment have our entire federation—including state association partners
exacerbated freight bottlenecks across the country, as witnessed like the North Carolina Trucking Association—we are putting
in the recent closure of the I-40 bridge linking Arkansas and significant wins on the board for our industry. These victories
Tennessee. That weeks-long shutdown cost our industry an ensure motor carriers have the support they need to keep America
estimated $2.4 million every day. Nationally, traffic congestion moving forward.
on the National Highway System costs our industry $75 billion
annually—amounting to 1.2 billion of lost productivity, or the Chris Spear is president & CEO of the American
equivalent of 425,000 drivers sitting idle for an entire year. Trucking Associations.

Views expressed on this page are the author’s and may or may not reflect the official policies or opinions of the North Carolina Trucking Association.

46 TARHEEL WHEELS

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We see “Critical Crashes” as a risk to your company. Our Value-Driven® Driving
program focuses on helping drivers do what they can to prevent these types of accidents:
rear-end, loss of control, lane change, and run under. All of our driver training programs are
FREE to our insureds and can be accessed 24/7 on Great West’s Online Learning Library.

GREAT WEST CASUALTY COMPANY – No matter where the road takes you, you
will discover that at Great West, The Difference is Service®.

Kirk’s Sineath Towing

The man standing beside the wrecker with hat on is Serving the
J.I. Sineath, the founder of the company. Picture was taken in Trucking Industry
downtown Greensboro around 1928.
Since 1925
Kirk’s Sineath Towing
700 Patton Avenue Truck and Trailer Repair
Complete Shop Facilities
Greensboro NC 27406 24Hour Mobile Truck Repair
24Hour Mobile Tire Service
Computer Diagnostics
Towing

336-272-3456

www.kstowing.com

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