Roy Gambrell, director of maintenance for Truck It, Cottontown, Tenn., has been installed as the Technology & Maintenance Council's 2011-2012 general chairman and treasurer.


Gambrell has served in several other TMC leadership positions, most recently on TMC's board of directors as vice chairman and chairman of meetings, and chairman of study groups. He has moderated and been a presenter for numerous TMC technical sessions. He received the Silver Spark Plug, the Council's highest honor, in 2005 and was instrumental in the development of TMC's Corrosion Control Action Committee.

Gambrell said one of his goals for his year as general chairman is to get more small fleets involved with TMC.

"I'm a good example that you don't have to be a mega fleet to be recognized," he said. "All you have to do is attend and get involved, Gambrell said. "TMC can help even the smallest fleets improve their maintenance activities."

He said the small fleets especially need the "power" of TMC, as the large fleets already have their own OEM service and engineering people.

"I would like to show them that TMC is not an expense, but a credit to them in the savings they can see in the RPs as well as the networking with other members and by getting answers to their questions," he said.

He also emphasized the importance for small-fleet members of TMC's Fleet Operators Forum where equipment owners can receive redress from manufacturers on issues that could not otherwise be resolved.

Five members were elected to fill open positions as Directors-at-Large on TMC's 2011-2012 Board. They include: Kirk Altrichter, Gordon Trucking; Brent Hilton, Maverick Transportation; John Sullivan, Reliable Carriers; Ron Szapacs, Air Products & Chemicals; and Dave Williams, Verizon Fleet Operations. They join Lee Long, Southeastern Freight Lines; and Kevin Tomlinson, South Shore Transportation. Kevin Otto, Cummins, was elected to fill an open associate director position.

Those serving as TMC officers for 2011-2012 include: Vice Chairman and Chairman of Meetings, Lee Long, Southeastern Freight Lines; Chairman of Study Groups, Kirk Altrichter, Gordon Trucking; Membership and Publicity Chairman, Kevin Otto, Cummins; Chairman of Associates, Al Anderson, Jost International; Immediate Past Chairman, Jerry Thrift, Ryder System; and Executive Director, Carl Kirk, Technology & Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations.

TMC will hold its 2011 Fall Meeting and National Technician Skills Competition Sept. 19-22 at the Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, N.C. TMCSuperTech2011 will be the seventh national competition for finalists of state and corporate technician competitions.