Ron Tartt, general manager, private fleet for Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, took his seat as chairman of the National Private Truck Council
at the group's annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition. He succeeds Harry Haney of Kraft Foods.

Tartt has been with Bridgestone Firestone for more than 34 years. During that time, he has held various positions in warehousing and transportation with both field and corporate experience. He has managed operations in Memphis, Denver, Akron, Chicago, Ontario and Hawaii. In 1995, he moved to Bridgestone Firestone's corporate headquarters in Nashville in his current assignment. He is responsible for more than 300 tractors, more than 700 trailers and more than 400 drivers delivering tires and auto parts to some 5,000 customers on a weekly basis from seven distribution centers across the US and Canada. In 1997, Tartt received the designation of Certified Transportation Professional (CTP). He has been active with the NPTC Institute, where he served as chairman and is now a member of the board in his capacity as NPTC Chair.

Rick Foster, director of private fleet safety for Wal-Mart Transportation in Bentonville, Ark., was elected vice chair/chair-elect. Gary Strausbaugh, vice president of transportation for Mennel Milling Co., Fostoria, Ohio, was elected secretary. Michael P. Parrish, national accounts sales executive for Paccar Leasing Co., remains as NPTC treasurer.

The NPTC also elected two other members to the board. Martha Bertrand, transportation manager, Spartan Stores, Plymouth, Mich, is serving as one of the Heavy Duty Division representative. Dan Norris, fleet operations manager for The Pepsi Bottling Group, Huntington. W.V., is serving as one of the Medium & Light Duty Division representatives.