Category: Press Releases

Tennessee Trucking Foundation June 2023 Updates & Events

Posted on by Khadejia Hupp

 

Tennessee Trucking Foundation

June 2023 Road Team Calendar & May photo recap

 

The Tennessee Road Teams Captains calendar was full of exciting events from the second half of May.

Keep reading to view the  June 2023 Road Team calendar and photos from events held throughout May 2023. 

 

June 2023 Calendar

Jun 3 SOS Fest Chattanooga FD / Teens & Trucks and Yellow Dot in Chattanooga, TN
Jun 7 Junior 4-H Camp in Greeneville, TN
Jun 12-16 TNSRO Conference in Pigeon Forge, TN
Jun 14 TN Teen Institute at UT Martin
Jun 14 North Chattanooga Center Teens & Trucks in Chattanooga, TN
Jun 14

Chris Ramsey Center Teens & Trucks in Chattanooga, TN
Jun 17 American Truck Historical Society Truck Show

Jun 20 

Roane County Senior Center

Jun 20

 John A Patten Center 
Jun 20 Avondale
Jun 21 Chris Ramsey Center
Jun 22 Montgomery Co Teen Driver Safety Awareness
Jun 26 Chris Ramsey Center
Jun 29 South Chattanooga Center

Road Team Captain May 2023 Recap 

 

May 4th | ETN Big Rigs Golf Tournament: The road teams participated in the ETN Big Rigs Golf Tournament on May 4th, which was held to raise funds for children’s charities and the foundation scholarship fund. Click for more photos

 

May 4th – 6th | Large Cars and Guitars Truck Show: The road teams attended the Large Cars and Guitars Truck Show, which featured various truck models, live music performances, and food vendors. Click for more photos.

 

May 8th | Warren County High School: The road teams visited Chapel Hill Elementary and Warren County High School, where they interacted with students, gave presentations on road safety, and distributed educational materials. Click for more photos.

 

May 10th | Careers on Wheels: The road teams participated in the Careers on Wheels event held at the Middle Tennessee State University campus in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, aimed at promoting careers in the trucking industry. Click for more photos.

 

May 10th | MTN Golf Tournament: The road teams attended the MTN Golf Tournament on May 10th to help with the event. Click for more photos.

 

May 10th | Bartlett Freshman Academy: The road teams visited Bartlett Freshman Academy to share road safety with the students. Click for more photos. 

 

May 13th | Veterans Memorial Park Block Party: The road teams attended the Veterans Memorial Park Block Party. Click for more photos. 

 

May 17th|Oakridge Senior Center Carfit: Road team captains helped Seniors improve their driving experience by fitting them properly into their vehicles at this event. Click for more photos.

 

May 17th|Eastgate Community Center Senior Service Fair  Click for more photos.

 

 

May 18th | Academy of Aviation & Transportation Spring Wing Fling  Click for more photos.

 

May 19th | Remake Learning Days Click for more photos.

 

May 26th | Safety Breaks Click for more photos.

May 31st | Knoxville Scales Roadside Event:  Click for more photos.

 

Blind Spots and Safe Driving: Insights from the 2023 Safety Break

Posted on by Khadejia Hupp

On May 26, 2023, the Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA) and Foundation (TTF) hosted their annual “Safety Break” event, an initiative aimed at promoting highway safety and raising awareness about safe driving practices. The event brought members of the TTA Road Team, TTA Safety Management Council, and the Department of Safety to share resources and education with travelers during the Memorial Day weekend. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of this successful event.

Each location featured a tractor-trailer on display to help travelers see the four blind spots around large vehicles where accidents are more likely to occur. Attendees were able to climb inside the trucks and experience the blind spots firsthand, which served as a powerful demonstration of the importance of being cautious around these vehicles.

Throughout the event, Road Team Captains shared safe driving practices. These discussions also shed light on the risks associated with impaired driving, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as the dangers of drowsy driving and distracted driving, including texting or using cell phones. And it wouldn’t be an event with the Road Team Captains without the use of Fatal Vision Goggles. Many participants “walked the line” while wearing goggles that simulated various levels of intoxication

In addition to the educational aspects, free refreshments were offered to visitors, creating an opportunity for casual conversations about highway safety and promoting positive interactions between the trucking industry and the public. We want to thank McKee Foods for providing a variety of Little Debbies snacks and thank all the members who provided refreshments for all of the visitors on Friday.

Thank you again to everyone who made this year’s Safety Breaks a success. Through interactive experiences, educational discussions, and community engagement, you’ve helped to continue to promote highway safety across Tennessee. We can’t wait to see everybody out again next year! 

 

Click to view more photos.

Tennessee Trucking Foundation Thanks FedEx Freight and Nashville Predators for Grant Support

Posted on by Khadejia Hupp

We are excited to announce that the Tennessee Trucking Foundation is a 2023 recipient of both the FedEx Freight Charitable Giving Program and the Predators Foundation Helper Grant. These funds will allow us to continue our mission to advance highway safety and save lives on Tennessee’s roadways through education and information, as well as, through our Road Team events. Our 32 Road Team Captains are professional truck drivers who take the message of highway safety all across Tennessee. The goal of Tennessee’s Road Team is to create a safe driving environment and save lives on our highways by educating motorists, especially new teen drivers, on how to safely share the road with large trucks and commercial vehicles.

 

We would like to extend our immense gratitude to FedEx Freight and the Nashville Predators for this opportunity to continue our dedicated work of saving lives in Tennessee!

 

Sincerely,

Ashlee Taylor, Tennessee Trucking Foundation Coordinator

Charging Site Development | Call for Letters of Support

Posted on by Khadejia Hupp

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is currently working with a variety of project partners to request funding to develop up to 10 publicly accessible medium- and heavy-duty electric truck charging sites along multiple, federally-designated alternative fuel corridors in Tennessee (I-40, I-24, and I-75).

As part of our proposal, they are hoping to demonstrate interest from fleets that could utilize this charging infrastructure, should it be funded.  

  • Please find a template of letters of support and commitment for your fleet to sign to support this proposal. All letters be submitted to us by COB on May 23. 

Overview | CFI_Corridor Fleet Letter of Commitment Template  |CFI_Corridor Fleet Letter of Support Template

 

What is the CFI Program?

The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant (CFI) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is a new competitive grant program that seeks to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure near people’s homes, places of work, and along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). The CFI program builds upon the FHWA Alternative Fuel Coordinator program and aims to complement the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program. 

 

For questions and to submit letters of support please contact: 

Alexa Voytek | Deputy Director Programs, Innovation & Transportation, Communications

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Office of Energy Programs Coalition Director – Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition

Nashville, TN

  1. 615-613-1096

alexa.voytek@tn.gov

tn.gov/environment

Big Rigs Little Kids: Big Hearts Supporting Children’s Charities with Every Swing

Posted on by Khadejia Hupp

The Tennessee Trucking Foundation’s Big Rigs for Little Kids Golf Classics have become a highly anticipated annual event. With four events taking place throughout the year, the most recent two were held on May 4th in East Tennessee and May 10th in Middle Tennessee at the Hermitage Golf Course.

These events provide a fun opportunity for participants to enjoy a round of golf while raising funds for children’s charities and scholarships. Since the program’s inception in 1989, the Big Rigs for Little Kids Golf Classics have raised over $2.3 million for children’s charities in Tennessee and the TTF Scholarship Fund.

The success of these events is due to the hard work of the amazing sponsors and participants. The proceeds from these events go to support important charities, including the Nashville Ronald McDonald House, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Shriners Alhambra Temple Transportation Fund, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the TTF Scholarship Fund.

If you missed the first two events, don’t worry! There are still two more events planned for the year. The next Big Rigs for Little Kids event will be held on August 14th in West Tennessee. Make sure to mark your calendars and join in on the fun while supporting a great cause.

We can’t wait to see you all at the next Big Rigs event for another day of fun and fundraising.

 

Thank you to our Sponsors

 

 

 

BeyondTrucks secures certification for Industry-Leading Cybersecurity

Posted on by Khadejia Hupp

Media Contact:

Kay Makishi
Chief Growth Officer 

kay@beyondtrucks.com 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

BeyondTrucks secure certification for Industry-Leading Cybersecurity 

A trucking process automation platform known for replacing legacy Transportation Management Systems (TMS) sets a new watermark for its fleet customers 

May 1, 2023 – San Mateo, California — BeyondTrucks, a leading process automation technology provider for trucking fleets, announced today that it has successfully completed its Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type I certification, demonstrating its commitment to providing the highest standard of cyber security to its customers.

 

The SOC2 audit assessed BeyondTrucks’ controls related to the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of its trucking process automation platform. The audit confirmed that BeyondTrucks meets the strict SOC2 standards for security and data protection as regulated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

“For trucking companies and private fleets, Transportation Management Systems are mission-critical. Shockingly, few provide independently verified cyber-security protection as part of their product, even though cyber-attacks against carriers and supply chains in the United States are increasingly common,” emphasizes Hans Galland, CEO of BeyondTrucks. “Thanks to its smart automation capabilities, we are proud to have become one of the leading options forward-thinking fleet managers consider when replacing their Transportation Management System. Offering industry-leading and independently verified cyber-security is just a small part of our commitment to protecting and future-proofing our customers’ businesses.”

BeyondTrucks seamlessly streamline logistics operations for trucking companies, enabling them to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction. The platform uses advanced technology to automate processes such as dispatch, routing, and tracking while providing real-time visibility into fleet operations.

On-premise or hosted solutions tend to be exposed to cyber threats as cyber protection is left in the hands of the individual fleet owners or their IT managers who have to face professional cybercriminals. A cloud solution, like BeyondTrucks, which chooses to implement sophisticated cyber-security technology across its operations and the cloud, can offer cutting-edge cyber-security at higher standards and more competitive costs to all its customers.

The successful completion of the SOC 2 Type I audit demonstrates BeyondTrucks’ dedication to meeting the highest standards of data security and reliability. Customers can have confidence in the security and confidentiality of their data when using BeyondTrucks’ platform.

About BeyondTrucks:

BeyondTrucks helps fleets improve efficiency, visibility, and customer service leveraging its proprietary platform for intelligent automation, smart data, and digital payments across operations, people, and finance. BeyondTrucks is committed to providing secure and reliable services to its customers and has achieved SOC 2 Type I compliance, demonstrating its adherence to the highest standards of data security and reliability.

Keeping Up With The TTF Road Team – May 2023 Events

Posted on by Khadejia Hupp

The Tennessee Trucking Foundation Road Team has been having a fantastic year in 2023, representing the trucking industry with pride and professionalism at a variety of events. From the Future Farmers of America Convention to Touch-A-Truck, Battle Creek Middle School, and Chapel Hill Car Fit, the team has been making their presence felt across the state. 

Through it all, the Road Team Captains have demonstrated their expertise and commitment to safety, sharing their experiences with the public and emphasizing the importance of following the rules of the road and always wearing a seatbelt. If you’re interested in seeing the Road Team in action, be sure to check out the calendar below to stay up-to-date on upcoming events. The Tennessee Trucking Foundation is doing important work in promoting the trucking industry and safe drivers for our community, and we’re grateful for all of the hard work that the Road Team is doing to make that happen.

 

 

May 2023 | Tennessee Trucking Foundation Road Team Calendar 

  May 4 ETN Big Rigs for Little Kids Golf Tournament, Egwani Farms Golf Course
  May 4-6 Large Cars and Guitars Truck Show, Kodak TN
  May 5 Chapel Hill Elementary Touch A Truck, Chapel Hill, TN
  May 5 Greeneville Roadside, Greeneville, TN
  May 8-9 Warren County High School Teens & Trucks Event, McMinnville, TN
  May 8 National Tourism Week, Kingsport Welcome Center
  May 10 Careers on Wheels, Clinton, TN
  May 10 MTN Big Rigs Golf Tournament, Old Hickory, TN
  May 10-11

Bartlett Freshman Academy Teens & Trucks event, Bartlett, TN
  May 12 CarFit Coordinator Training, TTA Office
  May 13 Veteran’s Memorial Park Block Party, LaVergne, TN
  May 17 Oakridge Senior Center CarFit & Yellow Dot, Oak Ridge, TN
  May 17 Eastgate Community Center Senior Service Fair Yellow Dot, Chattanooga, TN
  May 18 Academy of Aviation & Transportation Spring Wing Fling, McGavock, TN
  May 19 Remake Learning Days Teens & Trucks event, TCAT Knoxville
  May 19 Brownsville Roadside, Brownsville Scales
  May 20

Fairfield Glade Police Department Motorcycle Safety Awareness Teens & Trucks and Yellow Dot event, Fairfield Glade, TN
  May 20

Jackson Madison County Health and Safety Fair, Teens & Trucks and CarFit, Jackson, TN
  May 26 Safety Breaks
  May 31 Knoxville Roadside, Knoxville Scales

Tennessee Trucking Association and Highway Safety Office Join Forces for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Posted on by Khadejia Hupp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 18th 2023

 

TENNESSEE TRUCKING ASSOCIATION PROMOTES MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH

 

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Trucking Association is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office to promote Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Agencies participate by providing information and increasing awareness in their communities about the importance of sharing the road and looking twice for motorcyclists.

 

Motorcyclists will be out in force as the weather gets warmer, which is why it is the perfect time for us to remind the community about the vulnerability of motorcycle riders, all motorists need to know how to anticipate and respond to motorcyclists to avoid crashes.”

 

In this year alone there have been over 500 motorcycle-related accidents in the state of Tennessee. 

 

Here are a few safe driving tips to prevent crashing with a motorcycle:

 

  • Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, its operator still has all the rights of the road as any other motorist. Allow the motorcycle the full width of a lane at all times.
  • Always signal when changing lanes or merging with
  • If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Motorcycle signals are often non-canceling. Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding.
  • Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at
  • Always allow ample follow distance – three to four seconds – when driving behind a motorcycle. This gives riders more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.

 

For more information, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org/motorcycles.

Chris Woody Shares 6 Steps to a Safer Trucking Fleet

Posted on by Khadejia Hupp

We are excited to share a recent blog post by one of our members, Chris Woody, Director of Safety for M&W Transportation Co. Chris is a thought leader in the trucking industry, and he recently shared his expertise in a blog post for Truckinginfo.com.

The blog post, titled “6 Steps to a Safer Trucking Fleet,” outlines the importance of safety in the trucking industry and provides practical tips for fleet managers to improve safety in their fleets. Chris covers what it takes to have the right mindset to help reduce the risk of accidents and improve safety outcomes.

As a member of the Tennessee Trucking Association, Chris embodies our commitment to safety and excellence in the industry. We are proud to have him as a member and grateful that he has shared his knowledge and expertise with the wider trucking community through his blog post.

We encourage all of our readers to check out Chris’s blog post to learn from his insights and experience. By working together and sharing our knowledge, we can continue to improve safety in the trucking industry and make our roads safer for everyone.

A Close Competition: Highlights from Our Annual Technician Skills Competition

Posted on by Khadejia Hupp

On Thursday, April 13, 2023, the Nashville Fairgrounds played host to the Tennessee Trucking Association’s annual Technician Skills Competition. The event was a great success, with a large number of rookies competing alongside seasoned professionals, and a new station added to identify vehicle fluids.

The competition was fierce, with technicians vying for the top spot in each of the stations, these techs are the best of the best and it was exciting to see who was crowned the winner. The results are in, and we are proud to announce that Jeremiah Carter with Averitt took first place, followed by Andrew Grim with Clarke in second place, and Shane Redknap with Ozark Motor Lines in third place. Congratulations to all three winners for their exceptional skills and dedication!

We are also grateful to all of our sponsors, including our premier sponsor Vertical Alliance Group, as well as Jost International, Cummins, Inc., Imperial Supplies, LLC, Penske Truck Leasing, Fontaine Fifth Wheel N.A., Clarke Power Services, McKee Foods Transportation, LLC, Rush Truck Center, Meritor, Inc., and Christenson Transportation.

The competition was a fantastic opportunity for technicians to showcase their skills and knowledge, and we are thrilled to have had such a successful event. We want to thank all of the participants, spectators, and sponsors who made this day possible, and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

And finally, we are excited to announce that Jeremiah Carter will represent Tennessee at the national competition as the first-place winner. We wish him the best of luck as he competes against the best technicians from across the country.

 

Let’s not forget our station winners. You’ll find the winners from each individual station below.  

  • Service Information – Andrew Grimm, Clarke Power Services, Inc.
  • Electrical – Bradford Calfee, Walmart Transportation LLC
  • Fasteners – Jeremiah Carter, Averitt Express, Inc.
  • Suspension – Brad Calfee, Walmart Transportation LLC
  • Preventive Maintenance Inspection – Andrew Grimm, Clarke Power Services, Inc.
  • Brakes – Brad Calfee, Walmart Transportation LLC
  • Engine – Jeremiah Carter, Averitt Express, Inc.
  • Written Test – Andrew Grimm, Clarke Power Services, Inc.
  • Transmission – Glenn Boothe, Rush Truck Center 
  • Coolant – Jeremiah Carter, Averitt Express, Inc.
  • Wheel-End – Brad Calfee, Walmart Transportation LLC
  • R.P. Manual – Brad Calfee, Walmart Transportation LLC

 

See Photos From The Event 

 

Tennessee Work Zone Awareness

Posted on by carol

Tennessee Work Zone Awareness

Tennessee Trucking Association

 We All Play a Role in Work Zone Safety. Join with the Trucking Industry to Keep our Roads Safe.

Spring weather means another season is also in full swing: construction season. Tennessee drivers will see more orange signs on our roadways this time of year as highway workers help repair, maintain, and upgrade our critical infrastructure. As we share the roadways this spring – drivers and workers – the trucking industry is helping to remind motorists that we all play a role in work zone safety.

Motor vehicle crashes in work zones are the leading cause of work-related deaths in America. According to the most recent data available from workzonesafety.org, there were 857 deaths, which included 117 workers, as a result of 774 fatal work zone crashes in 2020.

National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 17-21, is an annual campaign to raise awareness of and encourage safe driving while motorists travel though roadway construction sites.

Construction zones and the resulting delays in traffic and added time onto travel can be frustrating for drivers, but routine road work is critical for our communities; it ensures our infrastructure is safe for individuals and families who are traveling our local roadways, and for America’s truck drivers who are delivering the goods our communities rely on.

For those drivers who come across a work zone these warmer months, orange road signs are a sign to slow down. By slowing down, minimizing distractions, and keeping a safe following distance, senseless motor vehicle deaths in work zones can be prevented.

For America’s 3.49 million professional truck drivers, safety always comes first. Truck drivers recognize the responsibility they have while sharing the road with the individuals and families driving alongside them, as well as to their own families back at home, and know they are part of the solution to safer roads.

For America's 3.49 millioni professional truck drivers, safety always comes first.

As the trucking industry delivers all the essential goods our nation’s families and businesses rely on, safety is what ensures that our nation’s goods are delivered on-time so that our communities are well supplied. That is why the trucking industry makes significant investments in safety. At least $10 billion is invested each year into safety programs and training for trucks. Trucking companies also empower truck drivers with the skills and training they need to operate their vehicle safely.

 

While sharing the road during these warmer months, we must all remember we all play a role in keeping our roads safe – whether you are behind the wheel of a car or a truck. Driving safely, especially through work zones, is a responsibility we all share to our fellow Americans on the road. Join with the Tennessee trucking industry and help keep our roadways safer for all drivers this spring.

Take Your Shot at the Tennessee Trucking Associations Sporting Clay Shoot

Posted on by Khadejia Hupp

The Tennessee Trucking Associations Sporting Clay Shoot is an event that brings together trucking professionals and outdoor sports enthusiasts for a day of competition, camaraderie, and fun. The event is designed to showcase the skills and expertise of the participants while also providing a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for networking and socializing.

The last Tennessee Trucking Associations Sporting Clay Shoot was held on March 30th in Middle Tennessee, and it was a huge success. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious (thanks to Mission BBQ), and the competition was fierce. Participants from all over the state came together to test their shooting skills and show off their marksmanship.

The winners of the last Tennessee Trucking Associations Sporting Clay Shoot were:

  • 1st place: Donnie Caldwell, Ozark Motor Lines
  • 2nd place: Dean Anderson, P&S Transportation
  • 3rd Place: Seth Lohman, TCW
  • Best Female Shooter: Benita Caldwell, Ozark Motor Lines
  • Best Rookie Shooter: Cory Hudson, TCW
  • Best CDL Shooter: Meller Takla, Best-One Tire
  • Youngest Shooter: Barrett Robinette, P&S Transportation
  • Best Team Shooters and Traveling Trophy: P&S Transportation

 

Congratulations to all the winners! The Tennessee Trucking Association is proud to have such talented and dedicated individuals in our community.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! We’re already gearing up for the next Tennessee Trucking Associations Sporting Clay Shoot in West Tennessee on May 18th, 2023 and we want you to be a part of it. Whether you’re an experienced shooter or a first-time participant, this event is for you.

The Tennessee Trucking Associations Sporting Clay Shoot is a unique event that combines the thrill of shooting sports with the camaraderie of the trucking industry. It’s an opportunity to network with other trucking professionals, meet new people, and make lasting connections. And best of all, it’s a chance to have some fun and enjoy the great outdoors.

The event is open to all skill levels, so whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a beginner, there’s a spot for you. You can register as an individual or as part of a team, and we encourage you to bring your friends and colleagues along for the ride.

The next Tennessee Trucking Associations Sporting Clay Shoot will be held in West Tennessee, and we’re pulling out all the stops to make it a memorable event. The competition will be fierce, the food will be delicious, and the prizes will be amazing. And of course, there will be plenty of opportunities to network with other trucking professionals and have a great time.

If you’re interested in participating in the next Tennessee Trucking Associations Sporting Clay Shoot, visit www.tntrucking.org/wtnclay  to register. We look forward to seeing you there!