Wednesday, September 27, 2017

ATA members show strong support for TRUK PAC

More than 300 people, representing 138 ATA member firms converged Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Robert Trent Jones-Capitol Hill golf complex in Prattville, Ala. to play in the Alabama Trucking Association’s 2017 Golf Classic, the lone fundraiser for the Association’s political action committee, TRUK PAC.

Golf Classic Chairman Rendy Taylor said that this year’s event surpassed all previous Classics in terms of money raised and member participation.  “Our total revenue eclipsed $245,850, which will generate an estimated $200,000 for the Association’s future political endeavors,” he announced at the tournament’s shotgun start. “There were also 306 golfers signed up to play this year – that is amazing support. We are especially appreciative to Vertical Alliance Group for their role as the tournament’s Presidential Sponsor. Their commitment of $15,000 helped spur a trend for a record amount of sponsorship revenue – it definitely served as a catalyst for increased participation.”

2017 ATA Golf Classic

In addition to Vertical Alliance’s donation, there were 14 Seanator Sponsors that each put up $5,000. Those included ATA Workers’ Comp Fund, which sponsored lunch and the 19th Hole Party barbeque dinner; Marmon Highway Technologies sponsored the Putting Green; B. R. Williams Trucking, Greenbush Logistics, Gulf City Body & Trailer Works and McLeod Software were the Closest to the Pin contest sponsors for each of the 3 courses played; Truckworx Kenworth sponsored the Straightest Drive contests on all three courses; Boyd Bros. Transportation and Wiley Sanders Truck Lines sponsored the Longest Drive contests on all three courses; Fitzgerald Peterbilt was the Hole-In-One Sponsor on the Judge; Buddy Moore Trucking was the Hole-In-One Sponsor on the Legislator; WTI Transport was the Hole-In-One Sponsor on the Senator; Southland International Trucks for sponsored the Driving Range; and J&M Tank Lines sponsored the Longest Putt contests on the 18th Hole on all three courses.

Broken down further, this year’s Classic had 53 – $2,000 sponsors; 47 – $1,000 sponsors; and 22 – $500 sponsors. “These funds are earmarked to support pro-truck candidates in state and local elections,” said ATA President Frank Filgo. “By supporting the Classic, these companies are helping our industry elect lawmakers and regulators who understand the vital role that trucking plays in our state’s economy. With the success of today’s event, our TRUK-PAC is on target to raise and spend $1 million dollars for the 2018 state elections. That’s huge for our industry.”

Meanwhile, Taylor also praised his Classic Finance Committee for their hard work is securing sponsors. Members of the committee were Joe Black, McGriff Tire Co.; Gary Bond, National Bank of Commerce; Jack Brim and Greg Brown of B. R. Williams Trucking; Will Bruser, Truckworx Kenworth; Fenn Church, Church Transportation and Logistics; John Collier, Transport Trailer Center; Terry Kilpatrick, Billy Barnes Enterprises; Hunter Lyons, Gulf City Body & Trailer Works; Tommy Neely, Ross Neely Systems; and Wayne Watkins, Watkins Trucking Co.
“On behalf of the Association, I thank everyone involved for their support and dedication in making the 2017 ATA Classic a success,” Taylor said.

To view a full list of sponsors click here.