For almost 100 years, Protective Insurance has been in the business of safety. That’s what insurance is all about – keeping businesses, their assets and their people safe. By knowing our customers and the way they do business, Protective designs your policy to protect the things that matter to you most and to create long-term value for your company. Protective Insurance is the marketing name used to refer to Protective Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. 4 Truckload Authority | www.Truckload.org TCA JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024
555 E. Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: (703) 838-1950 Fax: (703) 836-6610 www.truckload.org CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD David Williams, Senior Vice President of Equipment & Government Affairs, Knight-Swift Transportation PRESIDENT Jim Ward jward@truckload.org VP-MEMBERSHIP OUTREACH Zander Gambill zgambill@truckload.org MEMBERSHIP MANAGER Eric Rivard erivard@truckload.org MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Sarah Hammons shammons@truckload.org DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Hunter Livesay hlivesay@truckload.org SENIOR VP-SAFETY & GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Dave Heller dheller@truckload.org FIRST VICE CHAIR Karen Smerchek, President Veriha Trucking, Inc. SECRETARY Mark Seymour President/CEO Kriska Transportation Group VICE CHAIR TO ATA Ed Nagle, President Nagle Toledo, Inc. Adam Blanchard, CEO Double Diamond Transport Amber Edmondson President/CEO Trailiner Corp. OFFICERS AT LARGE SECOND VICE CHAIR Jon Coca President, Diamond Transportation System, Inc. TREASURER John Culp, President Maverick USA, Inc. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR John Elliott, CEO Load One, LLC Pete Hill President Hill Brothers Transportation, Inc. Joey Hogan, Board Member Covenant Transport Services Trevor Kurtz, General Manager Brian Kurtz Trucking, LTD GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER Hailey Betham hbetham@truckload.org TCA PROFITABILITY PROGRAM FACILITATOR Amanda Pearson apearson@truckload.org SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Lilly Grossman lgrossman@truckload.org DIRECTOR OF MEETINGS Kristen Bouchard kbouchard@truckload.org MEETINGS COORDINATOR Amelia Rose arose@truckload.org The viewpoints and opinions quoted in articles in this publication are not necessarily those of TCA. In exclusive partnership with: PRESIDENT’S PURVIEW Looking Forward to the New Year with Jim Ward | 3 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Skipping Steps | 6 Capitol Recap | 8 TRACKING THE TRENDS Close the Gaps | 14 Red Flags | 16 Toll Control | 18 Sneak Attacks | 20 NATIONAL NEWSMAKER Mr. Wonderful | 22 A CHAT WITH THE CHAIRMAN Setting Goals with Dave Williams | 24 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 THE R O AD 1123 S. University, Ave., Suite 325, Little Rock, AR 72204 Phone: (501) 666-0500 • www.TheTrucker.com CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Bobby Ralston bobbyr@thetruckermedia.com EDITOR EMERITUS Lyndon Finney lyndonf@thetruckermedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Linda Garner-Bunch lindag@thetruckermedia.com WEB NEWS MANAGER John Worthen johnw@thetruckermedia.com STAFF WRITER Erica N. Guy ericag@thetruckermedia.com SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS Cliff Abbott Dwain Hebda Kris Rutherford PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Christie McCluer christie.mccluer@ thetruckermedia.com NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Meg Larcinese megl@thetruckermedia.com GENERAL MANAGER Megan Hicks meganh@thetruckermedia.com For advertising opportunities, contact Meg Larcinese at megl@thetruckermedia.com. .COM © 2024 Wilshire Classifieds LLC, all rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All advertisements and editorial materials are accepted and published by Truckload Authority and its exclusive partner, The Trucker Media Group, on the representation that the advertiser, its advertising company and/or the supplier of editorial materials are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any art from client. Such entities and/or their agents will defend, indemnify and hold Truckload Authority, Truckload Carriers Association, The Trucker Media Group, and its subsidiaries included, by not limited to, The Trucker Media Group, harmless from and against any loss, expense, or other trademark infringement and any other claims or suits for libel, violations of privacy, plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or suits that may rise out of publication of such advertisements and/or editorial materials. Press releases are expressly covered within the definition of editorial materials. TALKING TCA Those Who Deliver with Western Flyer Xpress | 30 Next Gen Executives with Matt Richardson | 32 Special Delivery | 34 On the Road with the 2023 Capitol Christmas Tree | 36 Bridging Border Barriers | 38 There’s No Place Like Nashville | 39 Doing What He Loves | 40 Highway Angels | 42 New Members | 46 Looking Forward | 46 M A P TCA JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 www.Truckload.org | Truckload Authority 5