Conferences

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Robert Synowicki

Robert Synowicki
Executive Vice President - Driver Resources
Werner Enterprises

Robert E. Synowicki, Jr., joined the Company in 1987 as a tax and finance manager. Since that time, he was appointed to the following positions: (i) Treasurer in 1989; (ii) Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer in 1991; (iii) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in March 1996; and (iv) Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in November 1996. Mr. Synowicki was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer in 1999, and he was named to his current position as Executive Vice President – Driver Resources in December 2010. Mr. Synowicki was employed by the independent public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co. as a certified public accountant from 1983 until his employment with us in 1987. Mr. Synowicki also serves on the board of directors of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska and other professional organizations.

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Chris Burruss

Chris Burruss Chris Burruss
President
Truckload Carriers Association

Christopher W. "Chris" Burruss is the president of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). Prior to joining TCA in March 2004, he was president and CEO of the Tennessee Trucking Association. Mr. Burruss assumed those duties in May 1999. Mr. Burruss was raised in Jefferson City, Missouri, and educated in the public school system. After completing high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Burruss served for 5 years on active duty before being honorably discharged in 1991. He is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. From 1991 until he assumed his duties with the Tennessee Trucking Association, Mr. Burruss worked for the Missouri Motor Carriers Association. He held the position of vice president of that organization. Mr. Burruss is also president of the North American Transportation Management Institute and the Professional Truck Driver Institute. In addition, he serves as president of the Truckload Academy and the TCA Scholarship Fund. Mr. Burruss is currently a director on the Board of Directors of Women In Trucking and is also a member of the American Society of Association Executives.

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Vincent Picciarelli

VinnieVincent Picciarelli

Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Foley Carrier Services


 

 

 

 

 

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Todd Whitthorne

ToddWhitthorne.jpgTodd Whitthorne is much more than a health speaker. He currently serves as president and chief executive officer of Cooper Concepts, Inc, a division of Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas. It is here where he has been able to expand his already vast knowledge of health and wellness and thus be able to further enrich his audiences at his health and wellness presentations.

Todd also serves as chairman of the Our Kids’ Health Foundation, a nonprofit which serves as an organization to help reduce inactivity and obesity among children in Texas. Mr. Whitthorne is also a member of the International Association for Worksite Health Promotion (IAWHP), the American College of Sports Medicine, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Dallas GET A MOVE ON campaign. For over eight years, Todd has been working side by side with Dr. Ken Cooper as the executive producer and host of Healthy Living with Dr. Ken Cooper, a nationally syndicated weekly radio program heard in over 42 cities across the United States as well as online.

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Clay Aaron

ClayAaron.jpgClay Aaron

President
Stevens Transport

Clay graduated ASU Arizona State with a degree in business and finance. Joined the family business upon college graduation. Very active in charity organizations and has served on several boards throughout the Dallas Metroplex.

Clay is a driving factor behind much of Stevens Transport success and a true leader within the transportation industry.

Clay enjoys golfing, spending time with family.

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F. Michael Reilly

Mike-Reilley.jpgF. Michael Reilly
Chairman / President / Chief Executive Officer
Randall-Reilly

F. Michael Reilly is Randall-Reilly’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. Under Reilly’s leadership, the company has experienced phenomenal growth reaching more than $75 million in revenue and employing more than 400 associates at offices in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Chicago, Ill., Charlotte, N.C., and Milwaukee, Wis. Reilly’s strategic vision has transformed the company from a small business-to-business publishing firm into an innovative media and business information company.

During his more than 30-year career with the company, Reilly’s strategic vision has led to numerous start ups and acquisitions which have strengthened the company’s platforms in the construction, trucking and industrial sectors.

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Larry Minor

Larry Minor
Associate Administrator for Policy
FMCSA

Larry Minor is the Associate Administrator for Policy. His office is responsible for strategic planning, program evaluation, and rulemakings concerning driver qualifications, hours of service, and requirements for the inspection, repair and maintenance of commercial motor vehicles. He began his Federal career in 1989 as a Mechanical Engineer responsible for developing truck and bus safety regulations for the Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Motor Carriers. He served as Chief of FMCSA’s Vehicle and Roadside Operations Division from 1999 through February 2005, and Director of the Office of Bus and Truck Standards and Operations from 2005 to July 2007, when he was appointed Associate Administrator for Policy. He holds a B.S. in Physics from American University and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from George Washington University.

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David J. Osiecki

DaveOsieckiDavid J. Osiecki (Dave) is the Senior Vice President for Policy & Regulatory Affairs at the American Trucking Associations, based in Arlington, VA. In this capacity, Dave is responsible for overseeing ATA’s policy development on a host of trucking issues, including fuel/energy issues, environmental requirements, labor, safety and security rules, as well as truck size & weight limits.  Dave is also responsible for managing a staff of policy and regulatory experts, and is often called on to represent ATA and the trucking industry at government hearings and industry events.

Prior to his promotion as Senior Vice President, Dave was the Vice President of Safety for ATA and, before that, Executive Director of the ATA Intermodal Conference.

Dave came to the A
TA in 1996 with almost ten years of motor carrier safety experience with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Motor Carriers (OMC).  At DOT, he held several different positions involving compliance & enforcement functions, as well as program, policy, and regulation development. 

Dave is a native of Reading, Pennsylvania.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Pennsylvania State University and a Masters Degree from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Dave is married with two sons.

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CVTA Spring Conference 2013 at MGM GRAND, Las Vegas!

April 3rd ~ 5th 2013

AgendaDownload Presentations | Evaluation

Save the Date, Oct 17-19, 2013


CVTA just completed the 2013 Spring Conference. We enjoyed a record turnout. Thanks to the many members who joined us at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

We would like to thank the many sponsors. Our Reception was sponsored by Foley Carrier Services and American Institute of Trucking. We were fortunate to have special guests Lindsay Lawler and Chris Roberts who performed for us during the reception. Lindsay Lawler is the spokesperson for TCA's Highway Angel. This was a very touching and unique addition to our reception.

Our General Session began after our Breakfast sponsored by Schneider National.

CVTA Chairman, Cheryl Hanley updated the group on Mike O'Connell.

In order to move forward, your Board of Directors formed a Search Committee to ensure continuity of a legal and lobbying presence for the association. The Search Committee was made up of John Diab, Stuart Bowman, Lou Spoonhour, Gary Strube and Bruce Busada. After a series of meetings a recommendation was made to the Executive Committee and the decision was made to retain Webster Chamberlain and Bean on an interim basis. We were fortunate to have David Goch, and John Hazard join us and go over the plan for the next few months for CVTA


The annual elections were held with the following results:

The following Board Members were re-elected.

  • John Diab, Smith and Solomon
  • Gary Strube, International Schools
  • Brad Barber, Georgia Driving Academy

Our new Board Member Elect

  • Larry Marsh, JTL Truck Driver Training

Speakers

We were fortunate to have the following speakers address our group:

Mike-Reilley.jpgF. Michael Reilly is Randall-Reilly’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. Under Reilly’s leadership, the company has experienced phenomenal growth reaching more than $75 million in revenue and employing more than 400 associates at offices in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Chicago, Ill., Charlotte, N.C., and Milwaukee, Wis. Reilly’s strategic vision has transformed the company from a small business-to-business publishing firm into an innovative media and business information company.

During his more than 30-year career with the company, Reilly’s strategic vision has led to numerous start ups and acquisitions which have strengthened the company’s platforms in the construction, trucking and industrial sectors.

In 2005, along with Wachovia Capital Partners, Reilly purchased Randall Publishing from the Randall family and renamed it Randall-Reilly Publishing. In February 2008 Reilly and a group of key managers partnered with Investcorp to... Continue reading.

Download Mike's Presentation Slide - The Outlook for Truck Drivers

DaveOsieckiDavid J. Osiecki (Dave) is the Senior Vice President for Policy & Regulatory Affairs at the American Trucking Associations, based in Arlington, VA. In this capacity, Dave is responsible for overseeing ATA’s policy development on a host of trucking issues, including fuel/energy issues, environmental requirements, labor, safety and security rules, as well as truck size & weight limits.  Dave is also responsible for managing a staff of policy and regulatory experts, and is often called on to represent ATA and the trucking industry at government hearings and industry events.

Prior to his promotion as Senior Vice President, Dave was the Vice President of Safety for ATA and, before that, Executive Director of the ATA Intermodal Conference.
.. Continue reading.

Download Dave's Presentation Slide - ATA Overview

Robert Miller is the Director of FMCSA’s Office of Policy, Strategic Planning & Regulations. His office is responsible for directing the Agency’s regulatory program, strategic planning activities, and program evaluations. His office also serves as FMCSA’s liaison with GAO, the NTSB, and the Department’s Office of the Inspector General. Bob began his transportation safety career in 1982 as a Transportation Specialist with FHWA’s Office of Highway Safety and transferred to FHWA’s Office of Motor Carriers in 1987 where he spent 5 years working on compliance, enforcement policy, and data issues. In 1992, Bob transferred to the Office of Motor Carriers’ Washington, DC Division Office as a Safety Investigator and was promoted to the position of State Director in 1994. During his tenure as a State Director, Mr. Miller had the opportunity to lead both the Washington, DC and Maryland Divisions, manage regional ITS programs... Continue reading.

Download Bob's Presentation Slide - FMCSA Regulatory Update

Last but certainly not least on the first day, we were delighted to have Stuart Bowman, Co-Chairman who presented a new page on the CVTA Website that will provide a general overview about Financing in a fun and imaginative way.

 

 


 

GregGreg Koepel is Vice President of Workforce Development and Administration for Roehl Transport, Inc. Greg spent ten years in the Army: five years with the Michigan Army National Guard where he received the Outstanding Junior Officer Award for the 107th Engineer Battalion and five years with the U.S. Army. In 1990, Greg left the Army as a Captain to embark upon his civilian career.

For more than twenty years, Greg has been a Human Resources professional in the insurance, banking, manufacturing and transportation sectors. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University ('85) and a Master of Arts Degree in Management from the University of Phoenix ('91). He has earned the prestigious Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation from the Society... Continue reading.

Download Greg's Presentation Slide - Roehl Transport Celebrates 50 Year Anniversary

John W HazardJohn W. Hazard Jr. has been a partner with the firm since 1988 and is admitted to practice in Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

His practice includes all areas of nonprofit corporate and tax law including antitrust, tax, contracts, human resource matters, mergers, compensation, and intellectual property. Mr. Hazard has worked with and represents associations and companies of all types including publicly traded and private corporations, trade and professional groups, foundations, charities, and sports groups. Mr. Hazard has litigated numerous trademark infringement matters both in the U.S. and abroad, as well as domain name disputes and general corporate matters. He has been very successful in stopping trademark infringement for many of his clients and regularly assists in developing intellectual property policing and registration programs on a world-wide basis... Continue reading.

Download John's Presentation Handout - Affordable Care Act | Obamacare Outline


As you read in the weekly newsletter. We have had a change on our Executive Committee. Michael Darling is now working with American Institute of Trucking. As we cannot have two representatives from the same company on the Board, Chuck Wirth stepped down and Michael Darling became Treasurer in January.

Michael Darling presented the Treasurers Report

The success of CVTA is in large part due to our various committees. At this point we would like to have the Committee Chairmen give their reports:  

  • Advertising Relations & Conference Committee 
    Jamie Sather - Chairman
  • Associate Member Committee
    John Rojas - Chairman
  • Finance Committee
    Aimee Napier - Co-Chair- Stuart Bowman
  • Education Committee
    Gary Strube - Co-Chair - Larry Marsh
  • Image Committee
    John Diab, Chairman
  • Legislative & Regulatory Committee
    Chuck Wirth and Co-Chair Michael Hinz
  • Membership Committee
    Brad Barber - Co-Chair Ed Tanksley 
  • Marketing Committee
    Michael Darling - Chairman
  • Motor Carrier Committee
    Brad Ball - Chairman & John Frey - Motor Carrier Rep
  • Nominating Committee
    Lou Spoonhour

We strongly encourage CVTA Members to get involved with the above committees. The meetings are held via conference call, and we welcome any and all help. The only bad ideas are the ones that are not shared! So be sure to speak to the Committee Chairman or Cindy to get involved.

A sincere thanks to all our speakers, sponsors and Committee Members who worked so hard to make this conference such a success!

Our Fall Conference will be in Virginia at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, October 17-19, 2013. We look forward to seeing you there! 


MGM Grand at Las Vegas

mgmgrand

The property is at a great location, 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard, right in the middle of the strip. The dates for this Conference are April 3-5, 2013. Entry Level Driver Training is revving up again, and as well know, industry issues are changing in a blink of an eye. Miss one conference and you miss out on information, networking and, yes, there is fun to be had as well.


CDTFI Golf Tournament

The Revere Golf Club boasts two 18-hole courses named after the towns on Paul Revere's famous ride, Lexington and Concord. Everything at the club, including the names of all the holes, has a Revolutionary War theme.

The Revere's Concord Course is the newer of the two, created as a gentler complement to the original course. Its wide fairways and subtler elevation changes may be more player, friendly but it still provides a good challenge thanks to strategically placed bunkers and large greens that offer a variety of pin placements.

Like the Lexington, the Concord is known for its scenic landscape that tumbles across desert canyons and valleys provided by the surrounding foothills. The beauty is further enhanced by theincredible views that span from the Black Mountains to the Las Vegas skyline.

In addition to the golf courses, golfers can enjoy unlimited balls to use on Revere's all-grass driving range. There are also two practice putting greens and a short-game area.

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Matthew J. Wrobel

Matt WrobelMatthew J. Wrobel

Vice President, Sales
C-SAPA, BAT, Qualified Urine Drug Screen Collector

Matt began his journey with Foley in 1997 as a Customer Service Representative. Vinnie Picciarelli, VP of Sales at the time, quickly recognized his talent and within three months brought him into his circle of Sales and Marketing. Matt continued to progress and eagerly learned about the world of DOT Compliance and Foley’s role in helping companies achieve and maintain it.