Oregon Trucking Associations (OTA) recently held its 70th Annual OTA Convention & Exhibition at the Riverhouse on the Deschutes in Bend. During the three-day event August 9-11, attendees heard from nationally renowned and locally sourced speakers including demographer Ken Gronbach, American Trucking Associations (ATA) President and CEO Chris Spear and Oregon Department of Transportation Director Kris Strickler. Discussions took place around the changes and challenges Oregon’s trucking industry is facing, while also celebrating the accomplishments and dedication of drivers and other frontline workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Trucking never stops delivering the goods.
Three companies were recognized for their outstanding contributions over the past year. OTA’s Carrier of the Year Award went to Signature Transport, a family-owned company started in 1966 with locations in Kelso, WA, Portland and Central Oregon. With 55 years of combined experience, knowledge and love for the transportation industry, Signature Transport is a company of many talents servicing wood residuals, live haul, flatbed, heavy haul, dry van and containers. Under the leadership of President Dale Lemmons, Signature Transport is moving forward with expansion plans to create several high paying, safety engaged positions that provide excellent customer service.
The OTA Allied Carrier of the Year for 2021 is Freightliner Northwest, an expanded network of dealerships with multiple locations throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. With locations off every major northwest highway, Freightliner Northwest has more than 30 years of helping customers satisfy their transportation needs. Freightliner Northwest has a strong commitment to their customers and their employees. They have been an active participant in OTA through support of events and other efforts. Mark Christie accepted the award on behalf of the dealership.
Since its inception in 2018, the OTA Image Award has highlighted those OTA members who consistently go the extra mile in serving their communities, promoting trucking and solidifying the industry’s commitment to safety. This year’s award winner is TP Trucking, a privately owned, progressive company specializing in handling flatbed freight. TP Trucking gained the attention of the OTA Image Committee by engaging with Rogue Community College’s Art Department to have students submit their own armed forces trailer design. The winning design was placed on a new TP curtain van that is making its way up and down I-5. TP Trucking also has a Breast Cancer Awareness Truck and Trailer that travels to various events in Southern Oregon. TP has worked to keep their drivers safe throughout the pandemic, supplying them with PPE kits. This is just a small portion of everything that TP Trucking continues to do to support the industry and educate the public on the trucking industry. Dave Hopkins and the TP Trucking team accepted the award during the convention’s closing-night banquet.
