The Security Council of the American Trucking Associations presented its Security Professional of the Year award to Richard Martin, corporate security director for Knight Transportation, and its Excellence in Security Award to Con-way Freight in Long Beach, Calif., May 1 at the Security Council’s 2008 Trucking Security & Law Enforcement Conference & Exhibition.
These two ATA awards are presented to the individual and company best demonstrating their ability to design, implement and manage a successful security program that not only addresses traditional threats to personnel, truck and cargo, but also encompasses anti-terrorism and emergency preparedness programs. Qualcomm sponsors the Excellence Award.
Martin, the 2008 Security Professional of the Year, manages an extensive security program including employee screenings and training, cargo theft interdiction and investigations, as well as loss prevention and recovery. He oversees securing 31 terminals, 3,700 vehicles and 4,250 employees across 22 states.
“Rick Martin’s success goes beyond curtailing cargo theft at Knight Transportation,” says Susan Chandler, executive director of ATA’s Security Council. “Through his active involvement in industry associations and cargo theft task forces, he has provided expert counsel to fellow security professionals and law enforcement throughout his career, which makes him the ideal candidate for this award.”
“We are grateful to the American Trucking Associations for recognizing Rick’s contribution not only to securing and strengthening our company, but for his leadership in the industry,” says Brett Sant, vice president of safety for Phoenix-based Knight. “Knight Transportation recognizes just how important an issue this is not only to our company, but to the industry. Rick has represented both Knight Transportation and the industry with distinction.”
Con-way Freight was recognized for the breadth and effectiveness of its security plan that covers both traditional asset protection and innovative homeland security programs and training.
“Con-way Freight led the way in examining, embracing and ably managing every available tool to better secure its employees, trucks and cargo,” says Jeanne Dumas, director of ATA’s Security Council. “Its efforts to advance security industrywide, nationwide and beyond make them a true leader in security among motor carriers.”
“Effective cargo security is an increasingly complex challenge, particularly given the realities of today’s environment, and the multiple issues that security programs must address,” says John G. Labrie, president of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Con-way Freight. “We’re very proud to receive this award, which is a testament to the expertise, innovation and dedication of our security professionals. They’ve done a tremendous job planning and implementing the systems and protocols that protect our employees, our customers’ cargoes and the motoring public.”
Both Con-way Freight and Martin will be recognized at ATA’s Management Conference and Exhibition Oct. 4-7 in New Orleans, La.
