63
NEWS
MAY 2014
ACT
Mike Chalmers
reports
that the Specialized
Transportation Symposium
2014 celebrated Houston
with hefty numbers and a
memorable tribute.
>64
SC&RA’s Transportation Vice President
Douglas Ball was recognized for more
than 13 years of devoted service after
announcing his retirement from the
Association earlier this year.
T
he2014SC&RASpecialized
TransportationSymposium
(STS) brought together an
assortment of top executives, safety
directors, state and federal transportation
officials and related trade associations at
theOmniHoustonHotel, inHouston,
TX,March19-21. Six countrieswere
representedamong the443 inattendance,
74ofwhomwere first-timers. Participants
flocked to the full ExhibitCenterbustling
with35 exhibitors,whilewell-attended
committeemeetings, educational sessions
and speakerpresentations informedand
enlightened their audiences.
This year’shighlights emphasizedhow
to control or limit exposureof hours-of-
service regulations, thepros and cons
of electroniconboard recorders and the
useofDataQ files for appealingbad
inspections andquestionable citations.
Recognitionwas alsogiven toSC&RA’s
ownDouglasBall,who retiredaftermore
than13yearsof service as theAssociation’s
VicePresident, Transportation.A special
presentationand receptionwasprovided
on theopeningdayof STS.Aperpetual
“manof hisword,”Ball’s easy-going
demeanor and steadyprofessionalism
definedadistinguishedandproductive
careerwithSC&RA,wherehedelivered
countlesspresentations andprovided
valuable insights into transportationand
permitting issues forover adecade.
Day One
DayOnegot off toan early startwith
CommitteeMeetings and thenhad
attendeeshustling to catch the first
presentation:
SpecializedTransportation
BeyondYour StateLine– International,
Intermodal andPorts.
MargaretVaughan,
WoodGroupMustang, Inc.;Carlos
Duran, Tradelossa; FrankDeVries,
ChallengerMotorFreight Inc.; and Jay
Folladori, LandstarTransportation;
highlightedhowmarket conditions,
port requirements and regulations are
constantly changing,making cross-border
planninga complicated scenario. TheU.S.-
Mexico-Canadaperspectivewas especially
impactful for the audience, as thepanel
examined issues they face internationally,
in intermodalmovement andwithports,
aswell as solutions they’vedeveloped.
Followingupwith the second
presentationonWednesdaywasWayne
Davis,VirginiaDOT; RayMorgan,
Perkins SpecializedTransportation; and
DanVogen, BentleySystems, Inc. Their
presentation,
One-Stop-ShopPermitting
,
revealedhowa small numberof states
and citieshave implementedonline
systems andmobileapps to issuepermits
ina collaborativemanner. The integrated
systems connect numerous agencies
withina local or stategovernment,
resulting ingreater efficiency forboth
applicants andagencies, reduced expenses,
less complexityandas a result, less stress
for transportation companies.
THEAUTHOR
MIKE CHALMERS
serves
as editor-in-chief for Thrive
Creative Services LLC, a
creative copywriting agency
based in Chicago.
Dan Baker delighted audiences
with his presentation that
took a humorous look at
generational differences in
business and how companies
canwork to harness those
differences to create a
successful workplace
culture.
Symposium
highlights
Session One of the Breakout Sessions
included an actual inspection of a
seven-axle lowboy by Commercial
Vehicle Enforcement officials.
