Truckload Carriers Association Receives Appreciation Award
for Spreading Recognition of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Project

Last week, at a reception held prior to the lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) was presented with the 2016 Capitol Christmas Tree Appreciation Award.

Bruce Ward, founder and president of Choose Outdoors, the non-profit organization that oversees the tree, bestowed the honor for TCA’s continuing support that has led to widespread recognition of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.

According to Ward, "TCA's enthusiasm for this nearly 50-year American tradition has helped us elevate the importance of the trucking industry in a very high-profile project that focuses on the importance of our national forests and the Christmas spirit.”

"Because of TCA, we now have increased support by many sectors of the trucking industry, including Kenworth Trucks, Hale Trailers, SkyBitz tracking, Eaton Transmissions, Meritor, Land Line, Permit Wizard, and so many more," he said.

Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, president and CEO of Garner Transportation Group, Findlay, Ohio, and a co-chair of TCA’s Communications & Image Policy Committee, accepted the award. She was accompanied by committee member Brenda Ditmer, vice president of Weinrich Truck Line Inc. of Hinton, Iowa, and by TCA staff members John Lyboldt, Debbie Sparks, Marli Riggs, Miia Rasinen, and Ron Goode.

Today, Brumbaugh, Ditmer, and the TCA staff will be participating in a full day of tree-related activities: a breakfast hosted by the Idaho State Society, a U.S. Forest Service Chief’s reception, the actual tree lighting, and finally a Congressional reception with U.S. Senator from Idaho Mike Crapo.

Over the years, TCA has done many things to promote the transportation of “The People’s Tree” from its originating forest to its final destination on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Previous initiatives have included hosting “whistle stops” at high-profile public venues like a Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans football game and sponsoring the post-tree-lighting reception. It has also worked with the state trucking associations of Minnesota, Alaska, and Idaho when that year’s tree originated from their state.

The Capitol Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the U.S. Capitol since 1964. At 5:00 p.m. tonight, it will be lit by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, with Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, AIA, LEED AP, serving as master of ceremonies. After tonight, the tree will be lit from dusk until 11 p.m. each evening throughout the holiday season. The full display includes smaller companion trees and 6,000 ornaments made by schoolchildren from Idaho.

For pictures depicting the journey of the 2016 Capitol Christmas Tree and how it was hauled across country, visit CapitolChristmasTree.com. For further information on TCA and its activities, please
visit www.truckload.org and follow the organization on Facebook and Twitter.

TruckDriver.com
Carrier of the Month
Melton Truck Lines, Inc.

Recognized as an award-winning flatbed carrier since 1954, Melton Truck Lines is in the top 1% of industry pay and benefits. Melton has been running strong for over 60 years and has a built reputation for quality and excellence in the transportation industry.

Melton Truck Lines had a humble beginning in 1954 when Bert and Gladys Melton purchased a small piece of operating authority and a couple of trucks and began operations in Crossett, Arkansas. Business began with a plan to haul lumber and roofing materials in the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Bert purchased two brand new diesel "B Series" Mack tractors within a few years, which gave him a total of six trucks and twenty-three trailers. In late 1957, Bert met with an untimely death, leaving the business in his wife's hands.

In 1958, William Duncan McRae purchased the company. In respect for Bert Melton's memory, the name Melton was retained for the truck line. From the beginning, the newly incorporated company had a family atmosphere. The company was small, and many of the employees were husband and wives. Through the years, this unique atmosphere grew stronger, and whole families - mothers, fathers, sons and daughters would become part of the "Melton Family." The McRae's became known affectionately as Mr. Mac and Mrs. Mac.  

Mr. Mac eventually approached his son, Duncan (Dunc) McRae, Jr., with the idea of joining him in the company. Because of Dunc's experience with IBM, he recognized a potential benefit if Melton began using computers. At the time, there were few programs designed for trucking companies, so Duncan wrote his own, which put Melton out in front of the competition. 

In 1980, Melton was approved as a bonded carrier with the customs service, which marked the start of the Mexican "through-trailer" service, another pioneering move. Through the years, Melton's fleet grew to 600 trucks and utilized both box vans and flatbed trailers. 

Meanwhile, in 1989, Bob Peterson formed a new company called GlasTran, whose focus was exclusively on the needs of flatbed shippers, and located it in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The first customers were primarily glass companies, and the company started up with 30 leased tractors, 36 trailers, and six people in the office.  

In 1991, Duncan McRae, Jr., retired by selling Melton Truck Lines, Inc. to Bob Peterson. At the time of the sale, Melton's operation consisted of 340 trucks, 700 trailers and 12 terminals. Mr. Peterson decided to relocate the headquarters to Tulsa, OK, merging GlasTran and Melton together. Melton family members describe the period before the merger as "Old Melton" and the subsequent years as "New Melton."      

Over the last 50 years, Melton has been successful in recruiting and retaining some of the finest flatbed drivers in North America. Their company appeals to company drivers who are looking for a challenge with fewer hassles. Their  drivers realize the advantages to driving a flatbed -- no grocery warehouse deliveries, no lumpers or long waits, no loading or unloading, minimal docking, better trailer visibility, and a variety of loads.

Based out of Tulsa, OK, Melton Truck Lines is known for treating its drivers like family. Melton’s gleaming fleet of 1,200 blue Kenworth trucks proudly serves customers from coast-to-coast and has been running more than 60 years with a reputation of excellence in the transportation industry.

Melton aims to remain ahead of the competition with top 1% pay and benefits, free on-site clinics and dentists, driver help desk, safety and referral bonuses, rider and pet programs, and much more. Get the successful career you want and the respect you deserve.

Complete your application and join the Melton team today!
Call us at 877-462-3528 today!
Apply Online at www.meltontruck.com

Call for Nominations: 2017 Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award

Women In Trucking Association (WIT) and Truckstop.com are seeking nominations for the 2017 Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award (DWLA). The award recognizes the achievements and leadership of outstanding individuals involved in logistics in North America.

Anyone may nominate a candidate by completing and submitting the nomination form at www.womenintrucking.org/DWLA by January 13, 2017.

“The mission of Women In Trucking Association includes celebrating the success of women who are pioneers in the industry. The Distinguished Woman in Logistics award recognizes a woman who has shown leadership in her role in supply chain management while supporting her community through humanitarian activities,” said Ellen Voie, President/CEO, Women In Trucking Association. “We look forward to honoring someone who has gone above and beyond her role in logistics and is both a role model and a pioneer in the industry.”

Sponsored by Truckstop.com, the DWLA program is open to high-performing women in any field related to logistics, including warehousing, traffic and shipping, supply chain management, third-party logistics, trucking, rail, and maritime cargo. Recipient of the 2016 DWLA, presented earlier this year, was Shelley Simpson. She is the executive vice president, chief marketing officer and president of Integrated Capacity Solutions and Truckload for J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT).

Simpson is one of the judges for the 2017 award. Other members of the judging panel include Dr. Stephanie Ivey, director of Intermodal Freight Transportation Institute, Southeast Transportation Workforce Center, and Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering. Ellen Voie will also be participating on the judging panel.

“At Truckstop.com, we recognize that women are one of the vital keys to the success of our growing marketplace. We are inspired by women who express leadership and go above and beyond their normal duties to prove their dedication and to be role models in the industry,” said Brent Hutto, Chief Marketing Officer, Truckstop.com. “We will always encourage women to strive for success and we support what Women In Trucking is doing to help motivate these outstanding leaders in the supply chain and with the DWLA.”

The winner of the 2017 DWLA will be announced during the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) “Capital Ideas” Conference and Exhibition, April 5-8, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For additional information regarding the nomination process, send an email to lana@womenintrucking.org or call (920) 737-9490.