3PL Perspectives
Robert Voltmann
President & CEO
Transportation Intermediaries Association
In Washington, D.C., we are blessed with some of the best museums in the world. My wife and I recently visited the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. There was a temporary exhibit on Oprah Winfrey. I was struck by the following quote from this amazing person:
“Wherever you are, that is your platform, your stage, your circle of influence. That is your talk show, and that is where your power lies.”
TIA recognizes one member each year at our annual conference as a symbol of all the amazing impacts 3PLs and their employees have on their communities. We are proud to highlight the ways you use your platform, your stage, your circle of influence, your power in service of a greater good. Picking just one company from all of your good works to highlight and honor with the TIA Samaritan Award each year is one of the hardest things we do.
We honor companies small and large across the TIA community with the Samaritan Award. We started with Brenny Transportation, recognizing their donation of 2 percent of gross revenue to charities in their community and performing numerous other altruistic deeds. The culture of giving at the Allen Lund Company supports many projects, including sponsoring three inner-city kids to attend a Jesuit prep school and intern with ALC. Their employees support charities across Southern California and ALC leaps into action to assist disaster responses such as the recent earthquake recovery in Haiti. England Logistics steps up to aid a wide range of charities and makes weekly contributions to their greater community through tangible and intangible activities; they have made it their mission to feed one million children in the United States every year. TQL’s culture of service enables all their employees to contribute amounts large and small to have an impact on the wellbeing of their community.
Recognition is not limited to companies. In 2014, Paul Moline and Jim Round were selected for years of work raising money for cancer research. Their annual Mo & Jim’s Golf Classic has raised more than $5,400,000 for this important cause. While no work can be accomplished without funding, Trinity Logistics strives to build on their financial contributions with numerous volunteer hours to improve their local communities.
Where would we be without our veterans? Logistics Planning Services for Vets Golf Charity Tournament is an annual golf fundraising event started a decade ago by LPS and friends to raise funds and awareness for local Veterans Service Organizations that are dedicated to improving the lives of those who served.
For 2019, Leonard’s Express was selected for their charitable works for hurricane relief, Parkinson’s disease awareness, and breast cancer awareness. They even painted four trucks with pink breast cancer awareness ribbons and two more to recognize the Parkinson’s Foundation.
The previous recipients have shown a company-wide commitment to using their power to transform. We know that all of you do this. Leonard’s Express may have been selected as the 2019 TIA Samaritan Award recipient, but your employees and communities are the winners every day. The engagement and generosity of TIA members is remarkable. Please let us know how you are using your power to transform your communities by contacting Cindy Amos ([email protected]) and enter to be the honorary recipient of the 2020 TIA Samaritan Award.
