11 www.ortrucking.org Issue 3 | 2023 First-place winners in each category are: ` 3 Axle—Heladio Fernandez (FedEx Freight) ` 4 Axle—Daniel Shamrell (FedEx Freight) ` 5 Axle—Christopher Outen (FedEx Freight) ` Flatbed—Tom Smith (Albertson’s Companies) ` 5 Axle Sleeper—Tom Crawford (Walmart Transportation) ` Straight Truck—Jonathan Holman (FedEx Freight) ` Tank—Don Pfeiffer (Albertson’s Companies) ` Twins—Ronald Zieser (FedEx Freight) ` Step Van—Ryan Schmutzer (FedEx Ground) First place winners in each category will go on to represent Oregon at the National Truck Driving Championships in Columbus, OH in August. The National Truck Driving Championships dates back to 1937 when it was known as the National Truck Rodeo. These annual competitions inspire tens of thousands of drivers to operate accident-free for the right to compete. OTA & the Safety Management Council would like to congratulate all of our competitors and send a special thank you to the volunteers, sponsors and others who made this event happen! While OTA was excited to bring this annual event back to Portland this year, ongoing safety issues in the city caused unexpected challenges when attendees began to hear gunshots near the entrance to the event site. While no one was injured, and the event continued after being moved farther back from the road, it highlighted just how common an occurrence stray gunfire is for those living and working in Portland. Knowing that so many OTA members and their employees face ongoing safety concerns at their facilities on a regular basis, OTA’s President Jana Jarvis took what could have been a devastating incident and used it to shed light on the ongoing challenges our members face. Jana called on the Mayor’s Office and the Portland Police Bureau to look into the incident and to work to improve safety in the city. OTA looks forward to continuing to engage with the City of Portland to address these ongoing safety issues and the gun violence that continues to threaten so many of our members and their families. TDC Safety Concerns Lead to OTA Leadership in Portland
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTY1NDIzOQ==