Trucking news and briefs for Friday, March 15, 2024:
15 transportation execs named to Elevate TCA Young Leadership Program
The Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) has named 15 young transportation executives to its 2024 Elevate TCA Young Leadership Program.
Designed to empower and nurture the leaders of tomorrow, Elevate offers a unique opportunity for young professionals to engage with each other and industry mentors, further their trucking knowledge and thrive in their careers, TCA said.
This group of young leaders was selected from a competitive and large group of applicants. The Class of 2024 is made up of TCA carrier and associate members who will be formally introduced at TCA’s Annual Convention in Nashville that runs March 23-26, 2024.
The 2024 Elevate TCA members are:
- Samantha Bodnar, Executive Team, D.M. Bowman Inc.
- Sarah Burns, Manager Transportation, Scheduling & Planning, SWTO LLC
- Rayvaun Christenson, Vice President, Christenson Transportation
- Jeff Dorais, Operations Manager, Brown Dog Carriers
- Ryan Doran, Business Development, Diamond Transportation System, Inc.
- Jason Douglass, Director of Retention and Recruiting, Stokes Trucking
- Alfonso Dozal, Cross Border Administration, Landstar Transportation Logistics, Inc.
- Craig Enns, Chief Financial Officer, Arnold Bros Transport Ltd.
- Michael Foley, Senior Transportation Specialist, TrueNorth Companies
- David Hoerres, Director, National Accounts, Comdata Inc.
- Jennifer Nuest, Senior Vice President, Transportation Practice, Amwins Group
- Tyler Smith, Maintenance Manager, Wilson Logistics, Inc.
- Derek Vanblargan, President, Northern Logistics
- Molly Vidler, External Communications Specialist, Tenstreet
- Ryan Whelan, District Sales Associate, Volvo Truck Group
Elevate TCA Young Leadership Program includes a mix of in-person meetings at TCA events, as well as six virtual meetings throughout 2024.
Torc Robotics names new CFO
Daimler Truck AG subsidiary Torc Robotics, an autonomous truck tech manufacturer, has announced that Richard Kannan is the company’s new Chief Financial Officer.
Richard Kannan
“Richard has proven himself to be an invaluable asset to Torc during his time as interim CFO, and I am thrilled to welcome him as a permanent member of our executive team,” said Peter Vaughan Schmidt, Torc Robotics’ CEO. “Richard helps shape our operational and business decisions using a data-driven approach. This will be essential as we work toward scalable market entry in 2027.”
After serving as interim CFO for Torc over the last several months, Kannan now becomes a permanent member of the executive leadership team. This prior integration empowered him to better understand and model Torc’s budgeting and forecasting for the business’s short- and long-term goals. It also provided invaluable context on the most significant reporting needs for the CEO, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders.
“Being able to contribute to Torc’s vision of transforming the trucking industry with autonomous technology is an incredible opportunity, and one that I look forward to taking on as Chief Financial Officer," said Kannan. “To collaborate with such smart people here at Torc, alongside our partner Daimler Truck AG, is an honor. I look forward to helping create value for our many stakeholders as we drive the future of freight.”
[Related: AVs will augment drivers, not replace them]
International trucks recalled for steering gear issue
Navistar is recalling approximately 272 trucks in which the steering gear sector shaft may have been improperly heat treated, which can cause the gear to crack or fracture, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents. Fractured steering gear teeth can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Affected trucks include model year 2025 HV, HX, LT, and MV models.
Dealers will replace the steering gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 29. Owners can contact Navistar customer service at 1-800-448-7825 with recall number 24505. NHTSA’s recall number 24V-164.
Mack MD trucks recalled over parking brake indicator light
Mack Trucks is recalling approximately 117 model year 2024 Mack MD6 and MD7 trucks in which the parking brake light may indicate the incorrect brake status due to an incorrect parking brake pressure switch.
The recall states that the parking brake light may indicate that the parking brake is applied when it is not, possibly resulting in a vehicle roll away and increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pressure switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 26. Owners can contact Mack customer service at 1-800-866-1177 with recall number SC0460. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-167.
