J&M Tank Lines is among the winners of this year’s Mike Russell Trucking Image awards.
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) presented Mike Russell awards to a motor carrier, a state association and a professional driver in recognition of their efforts to improve the image of the trucking industry during the virtual 2020 Management Conference & Exhibition (MCE).
“This year has provided numerous examples of what an important role our industry plays in the lives of people across the country,” said Randy Guillot, ATA chairman, and president of Southeastern Motor Freight and Triple G Express. “These champions of our industry have gone above and beyond to improve the image of our industry and show just how safe, professional and essential trucking is.”
J & M was honored for promoting the industry on social media and in the community, and working to improve drivers’ morale, while also providing important health and safety information during the pandemic.
The other winners are the Nebraska Trucking Association (NTA) and Old Dominion Freight Lines driver Rhonda Hartman.
NTA supplied meals for drivers delivering essential goods, while promoting the image of the industry in local media and partnering with the state’s chamber of commerce to recognize drivers as essential workers. Hartman, an America’s Road Team Captain, used her more than 37 years of experience to educate the public about the role of trucking in their lives, and she went further this year by participating in the convoy honoring the centennial of Louisa Swain casting the first ballot as a woman in the United States.
“This year has certainly been a challenging year, but a year where we have seen the trucking industry gain incredible momentum in the way we are perceived,” said Elisabeth Barna, ATA executive vice president of industry affairs. “Our drivers became heroes overnight, and they were recognized by families, kids on the side of roadways holding signs, community leaders, public officials and by the media.
“Our drivers were called frontline heroes and were mentioned in the same sentence as doctors and nurses, and that is a testament to the work they did under these unprecedented circumstances.”
First awarded in 2007, the Mike Russell Trucking Image award is given to an individual, motor carrier, trucking organization and industry supplier who demonstrate excellence in illustrating the industry’s essentiality, professionalism and commitment to safety on and off the highways. Since 2014, the award has been sponsored by HireRight.
“This award honors those companies and individuals whose tireless efforts continue to shine a light on the trucking industry by generating positive awareness and spreading the industry’s message of safety, essentiality and professionalism,” said Tommy Hogan, HireRight director of account management. “Congratulations to the recipients.”