Optimism was in the air in Jacksonville, Fla. last month as more than 500 Used Truck Association members gathered for group's 11th annual convention, themed Boot Camp 2010.


Convention chairman Tim Ormsby called the Convention a great success, thanks in part to a changing economy.

"You could feel it in the air, the optimism that says our industry is starting to come back to life," he said.

Along with the excitement, there was a lot of real work going on at the busy Convention. UTA named long-time board member, Rick Clark president for 2011, and the group has elected it new Executive Board of Directors. The new board includes: Bobby Williams, Vice President; Tom Pfeiler, Treasurer; and Sheri Aaberg, Secretary. Mike Thurston and Ken Kosic were named members of the UTA Board of Directors, and John Cosgrove was named the Alternate.

The newly formed UTA Dealer Group met for the first time this year, with more than 100 UTA members attending the meeting. The Group was created to bring dealers together in smaller groups to discuss regional issues. To create the Group, the UTA will split the U.S. and Canada into six regions, each with a regional representative who will organize that region. The regions will choose discussion topics; such as new engine issues, and trade terms.

Plans are already underway for the next UTA Convention, which will be held in Scottsdale, AZ in November 2011.

More info: Used Truck Association.