The Technology & Maintenance Council of the American Trucking Associations approved the formation of a new service dealer committee during its 2009 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, held Feb. 9-12 in Orlando, Fla.


The committee will provide service dealers and fleet managers the opportunity to improve communications over warranty and service issues, and jointly promote technician training and other industry issues. Committee chairman is Charles Voyles Jr., service manager for Truck Centers, Troy, Ill.

TMC's new service dealer initiative was underscored with a technical session called "Improving Fleet/Service Dealer Business Relations." A panel of 17 fleet managers and service dealers held an open dialogue on such issues as warranty service, repair priority and timeliness, purchase orders and after-hours service. The session at times got tense, underscoring the need for these groups to work together.

Steph Sabo, maintenance manager for Norrenberns Truck Service in Nashville, Ill., was installed as TMC general chairman, succeeding Brent Hilton, director of maintenance for Maverick Transportation. Sabo moves into the general chairman position after a year as vice chairman and chairman of meetings.

Sabo has served in several other TMC leadership positions, including chairman of study groups, a member of the board of directors and as chairman of the Fleet Maintenance Management Study Group, he has also moderated and been a presenter for TMC technical sessions. He received the Silver Spark Plug, the Council's highest honor, in 2006.

Sabo intends to strengthen the service-dealer initiative and build upon TMC's of technician development and training.

2009-10 TMC officers include: General Chairman & Treasurer, Steph Sabo, Norrenberns Truck Service; Vice Chairman and Chairman of Meetings, Jerry Thrift, Ryder Transportation Services; Chairman of Study Groups, Roy Gambrell, Truck-It; Membership and Publicity Chairman, Jerry Warmkessel, Mack Trucks; Chairman of Associates, Jerry Anderson, Freightliner; Immediate Past Chairman, Brent Hilton, Maverick Transportation; and Executive Director, Carl Kirk, Technology & Maintenance Council.

Directors-at-Large on TMC's 2009-2010 Board include: Al Anderson, Jost International; Ken Brasier, retired Silver Spark Plug; Bob Flesher, FedEx Ground; Joe Stianche, KLLM; Oren Summer, FleetNet America; and Dave Williams, Verizon Fleet Operations.

TMC will hold its 2009 Fall Meeting and National Technician Skills Competition Sept. 14-17 at the Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, N.C. TMCSuperTech2009 will be the fifth national competition for finalists of state and corporate technician competitions.

More info: http://tmc.truckline.com.