The American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council on Monday honored four professionals with its highest honor — the Silver Spark Plug — during the opening of TMC’s 2024 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition in New Orleans.
“The Silver Spark Plug, out industry's highest honor, is given to individuals who demonstrate professional excellence in commercial vehicle maintenance,” said TMC Executive Director Robert Braswell. “Our winners this year represent the highest level of expertise and ability in our industry. We are pleased to recognize them with this award.”
This year’s honorees were David Kegley, director of training and development, Ryder System Inc.; Paul Cigala, senior CVL applications engineer, ExxonMobil Product Solutions Co.; Chris Disantis, vice president of maintenance, Aim Transport Solutions and Radu Mihai, corporate fleet manager, BURNCO Rock Products.
More than half of the 7.6 million people employed by the trucking industry do something other than drive a truck, ATA President and CEO Chris Spear, "and without them, our nation’s goods don’t get to our stores, hospitals and factories. These individuals set examples for all of us in this industry to follow, and we are proud to honor them with this award.”
Also Monday, Amanda Schuier, strategic maintenance director at Jetco Delivery, was elected 2024-2025 general chairman and treasurer.
“Amanda has been an exemplary member of TMC, including winning the Council’s highest honor — the Silver Spark Plug,” said Braswell. “Her professionalism and commitment to trucking make her an outstanding choice to be TMC general chairman and treasurer.”
Schuier, based in Houston, Texas, served the past year as the Council’s vice chairman and chairman of meetings. She succeeds Todd Cotier, director of maintenance for Bison Transport based in Bangor, Maine, as general chairman and treasurer.
"Being general chairman and treasurer has been an incredible honor for me and I want to thank my fellow TMC members for it.” Cotier said. “As I hand off the chairmanship of TMC, I want to congratulate Amanda on her election and wish her great success. I’m sure she will be an outstanding leader for our Council.”
Others serving as TMC officers for 2024-2025 include:
- Vice Chairman and Chairman of Meetings: Radu Mihai, BURNCO Rock Products
- Chairman of Study Groups: Kenneth Marko, US Foods
- Chairman of Membership and Publicity: Larry Rambeaux, Purkeys
- Chairman of Associates: Roger Maye, ConMet
- Immediate Past Chairman Cotier and Executive Director Braswell
Directors-at-large include:
- Justin Anderson, ZF
- Scott Bartlein, Truck Fleet Management
- Chris Disantis, Aim Transportation Solutions
- Brent Hilton, Maverick Transportation
- Mark Kennedy, Knight Swift Transportation
- Anthony Marshall, UPS
- Peter Savage, Clarke Power Services
- Kevin Tomlinson, Shrader Tire & Oil Company
