The American Trucking Associations’ Supply Chain Security & Loss Prevention Council presented its 2009 Excellence in Security Award to ABF Freight System Inc., its Leadership Award to Director of Security Geoff Stephany of Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., and its Cargo Theft Prevention Distinguished Service Award to Det. Keith Lewis, task force agent for the Major Theft Unit of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The council presented the awards recently at its 2009 Supply Chain Security & Law Enforcement Conference & Exhibition in Forsyth, Ga.
The ATA Excellence in Security Award is bestowed on the motor carrier best demonstrating its ability to evaluate the risk, implement the plans, apply the tools, train the personnel and manage the systems and processes to successfully minimize theft and secure its supply chain. Accepting the award were James W. McFarlin, ABF director of safety and security, and Brian Shutt, manager of security.
“ABF Freight System is being recognized for the breadth and effectiveness of its security plans that cover both traditional asset protection and innovative homeland security programs,” says Wally White, chairman of the council’s Homeland Security Committee and director of safety and regulatory compliance for U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc. “It is a carrier dedicated to constantly evaluating and improving its security measures and experience record to ensure future prevention and recovery.”
Stephany was applauded for his common-sense wisdom, leadership and tenacity in moving the council and industry forward in a positive and meaningful way – both in terms of growth and achieving its mission.
“As chairman of the council, Geoff was proactive in identifying the concerns of the industry, voicing the council’s stance of those issues, and building the alliances to help resolve them,” says Susan Chandler, executive director of ATA’s Supply Chain Security & Loss Prevention Council. “His credibility as a successful security professional, and his belief that the council and its members can make a difference in national supply chain security, allowed him to move others to action.”
Lewis accepted the council’s Cargo Theft Prevention Distinguished Service Award, which acknowledged his tireless efforts to bring attention to the issue of cargo theft in his state and nationwide, and for his career-long dedication to serving and protecting.
“Agent Lewis has long understood the value of a national infrastructure against cargo theft and the power of collaboration,” says Eric Mauro, the council’s Cargo Theft Committee chairman and vice president of security and claims for UPS Freight. “With the support of his department, he has been able to provide the forums and communication avenues to further educate law enforcement and carriers on how best to prevent and recover from cargo theft. For this, the council and industry are forever grateful.”
