Reps from major fleets join Trump at White House to tout tax cuts

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Updated Apr 16, 2018
Werner’s Derek Leathers spoke at the White House Rose Garden Thursday as President Trump looked on.Werner’s Derek Leathers spoke at the White House Rose Garden Thursday as President Trump looked on.

Werner Enterprises President and CEO Derek Leathers was among speakers at a White House Rose Garden event Thursday touting the benefits of the Tax Cuts and Job Act signed into law in December.

Following remarks from President Trump, Leathers spoke about the tax cuts’ impact on his fleet. He said his company has been able to increase capital expenditures by $127 million and driver pay by $24 million, an average of more than $2,400 per driver, as a result of the tax cuts.

Werner was also represented by driver Quinton Ward, driver Marvin Fielder and associate Kathryn Oswald.

Also in attendance were executives and employees from Crete Carrier Corp. and TCW Inc. TCW was represented by President Dave Manning, chairman of the American Trucking Associations, and driver David Livingston. Crete was represented by CEO and Chairman Tonn Ostergard, Vice Chair Holly Ostergard and driver Jeff Tetzloff.

ATA says a January survey revealed that half of its member carriers were planning to increase wages or offer bonuses as a result of the tax reform, and 47 percent were planning to invest the tax cuts into new equipment.