Briefly: NEXT Logistics wins WMCA safety award for third time -

NEXT Logistics, part of the Nelson-Jameson Family of Companies, won a fleet safety award from the Wisconsin Motor Carrier Association for the third consecutive year. The award honors the safest truckload fleets in Wisconsin.

NEXT Logistics qualified for a fleet safety award for Division 2 with 545,507 accident-free miles in Wisconsin, nearly 60,000 more than the company drove the previous year. Its record exemplifies the company’s extensive safety training, job shadowing, and regular safety check-ins with employees to stress the importance of safety in the workplace.

“With a commitment to continuous training as well as efficient systems and expert logistics to ensure customers receive their orders on time and securely – the throughline for NEXT Logistics and Nelson-Jameson is safety,” said Mike Rindy, Nelson-Jameson president. “Receiving this safety award for the third consecutive year validates our commitment to employee safety and an accident-free workplace, at home and on the road.”

The award was presented at WMCA’s annual Safety Luncheon recently at Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

VP of Mississippi fleet wins advocacy award

The American Trucking Associations recognized Stormie Janzen, Total Transportation of Mississippi’s vice president of safety and recruiting, with the 2024 Cathy Evans Highway to Victory Award for her dedication to advocacy on behalf of the trucking industry.

Named for longtime ATA lobbyist Cathy Evans, the Highway to Victory Award is presented annually to an ATA member who has made significant contributions to the Federation’s advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels.

“Stormie’s advocacy has been instrumental in ensuring truckers’ voices are heard, and her efforts have directly benefited America’s supply chains,” said ATA Chief Advocacy and Public Affairs Officer Ed Gilroy. “When ATA needed help putting pressure on key members of Congress to advance a crucial legislative initiative, this industry leader worked with colleagues and state trucking associations to lead a grassroots movement to push our bill forward. When that bill becomes law, it will be due in no small part to her invaluable support.”

Janzen has a long record of advancing trucking’s agenda dating from her time as an ATA staffer to her current role as a leader at Total Transportation of Mississippi.

She is an active ATA member, sitting on the Federation’s Safety Policy Committee, Controlled Substances Subcommittee, Driver Health & Wellness Subcommittee, Membership Committee and ATA’s Women in Motion Council.

Three organizations win image award

The American Trucking Associations honored three organizations for their commitment to improving the image of the trucking industry with the 2024 Mike Russell Trucking Image Award.

This year’s winners are:

The Ohio Trucking Association
Meijer Logistics LLC
DDC Freight Process Outsourcing LLC

“Since it was first handed out in 2007, 61 individuals and companies have been honored with the Mike Russell Award,” said ATA Vice President of Industry Affairs Nikki Thomas. “We are excited to add this year’s winners to our list of those who are as passionate about promoting the industry’s image as we are at ATA. The applications this year were true testaments to the power of storytelling and innovation.”

Each year, the Mike Russell Trucking Image Award is given to an individual, motor carrier, trucking organization and industry supplier who each demonstrate excellence in illustrating the industry’s essentiality, professionalism and commitment to safety on and off the highways. The award is sponsored by Great West Casualty Company.

Former ATA president and CEO passes

The American Trucking Associations’ President and CEO Chris Spear issued the following statement on the passing of Thomas J. Donohue, former president and CEO of the ATA and U.S. Chamber of Commerce:

“America has lost one of the most passionate advocates for free enterprise. Tom was a powerful voice for all businesses, employers and their employees.

“His time as President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations cemented his unyielding commitment to our industry. He was a persuasive leader, a personal mentor to me and a dear friend. Tom leaves the world better than when he entered it.”

Donohue joined ATA as President and CEO in 1984 before leaving in 1997 to lead the Chamber.