The Technology & Maintenance Council has appointed Jerry Thrift, manager for new product development at Ryder System, as its 2010-2011 general chairman and treasurer

. Thrift was named during TMC's 2010 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, held Feb. 9-12 in Tampa, Fla.

Thrift was most recently serving on TMC's board of directors as vice chairman and chairman of meetings, and chairman of study groups. Thrift has moderated and been a presenter for numerous TMC technical sessions. In 2005, he received the Silver Spark Plug honor, and he has also served the trucking industry as a member and chairman of American Trucking Associations' Technical Advisory Group.

In his new role, Thrift said he will focus on the strength of TMC's Recommended Practices (RPs) through an effort to increase awareness of the industry best practices, and through selecting RPs that can be grouped into collections, such as for vehicle spec'ing.

2010-2011 TMC officers include: Vice Chairman and Chairman of Meetings, Roy Gambrell, Truck It; Chairman of Study Groups, Dan Umphress, FedEx Freight; Membership and Publicity Chairman, Jerry Warmkessel, Mack Trucks; Chairman of Associates, Al Anderson, Jost International; Immediate Past Chairman, Steph Sabo, Norrenberns Truck Service; and Executive Director, Carl Kirk, Technology & Maintenance Council/American Trucking Associations.

Directors-at-Large on TMC's 2010-2011 Board include: Jerry Anderson, Daimler Trucks North America; Bob Flesher, FedEx Ground; Lee Long, Southeastern Freight Lines; Oren Summer, FleetNet America; Ron Szapacs, Air Products & Chemicals; Kevin Tomlinson, South Shore Transportation; and Dave Williams, Verizon Fleet Operations.

TMC will hold its 2010 Fall Meeting and National Technician Skills Competition Sept. 20-23 at the Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, N.C. TMCSuperTech2010 will be the sixth national competition for finalists of state and corporate technician competitions.

More info: tmc.truckline.com