NTDA, The Associates Create New Award

May 1, 2000
Saluting Nation's Exceptional Trailer Dealers Associates First Capital Corporation and the National Trailer Dealers Association (NTDA) have announced

Saluting Nation's Exceptional Trailer Dealers Associates First Capital Corporation and the National Trailer Dealers Association (NTDA) have announced the creation of a new award to recognize the nation's outstanding heavy-duty trailer dealers.

The winner of the first National Trailer Dealer of the Year award will be announced at the NTDA annual conference Nov 3, 2000, in Ponte Vedra, Florida. This award, the first of its kind for this industry, will recognize the trailer dealer whose leadership, professionalism, and integrity have most enhanced his company, industry, and community. The winner will be chosen from nominations evaluated by an independent panel of industry judges.

"It is a privilege to represent the nation's trailer dealers in helping create this new award," said Linda Lauer, executive director of the NTDA. "Through the efforts of a blue-ribbon industry panel and The Associates, we have created a program that will recognize our industry's top performers."

"Trailers are an essential part of the transportation industry, and trailer dealers are some of the unsung heroes behind the scenes, helping to make this country's transportation system the world's finest," said Lawrence J Pelka, senior executive vice-president and general manager for Commercial Operations at The Associates. "We are pleased to help launch this new recognition program."

The concept of honoring the outstanding trailer dealers came from Del D Seehusen, vice-president of The Associates, and was developed by an industry task force that included: Charles Henry, trucking industry consultant; Linda Lauer, executive director of the NTDA; Jack Olsta, president of NTDA and president of The Jack Olsta Company; Richard Bowling, presidentof the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association; Bruce Sauer, editor of Trailer/Body Builders; and with The Associates, Arnold N Strang, senior vice-president; David C Herring, vice-president; and Seehusen.

How to Enter Trailer dealers can be nominated for the award by others in the industry, or through self-nomination. Nominations must be submitted on an official profile form. Forms can be obtained by phoning the NTDA at 800-800-4552 or by visiting the association's web site at www.ntda.org. Forms also are available from The Associates by phoning 972-652-3049 or by e-mail: maureen [email protected]. A Microsoft Word file of the nomination form may be obtained by contacting The Associates, 300 East Carpenter Fwy, Irving TX, 75062-2726, Attention: Maureen Harris-12 Plaza.

Completed nomination forms must be received no later than July 5, 2000, for consideration. Criteria for Nominees

Nominees will be evaluated based on three criteria: dealership contribution and effectiveness, industry contribution, and community involvement. Within the dealership section, nominees may share their vision for their dealership and the trailer industry. The industry section will look at suppliers, product innovation, and association participation. The community section will focus on industry promotion, community involvement, and philanthropic/charitable activities. A panel of five industry representatives will evaluate the nominations. The selection committee includes: industry task force members Bowling and Sauer; David Kolman, executive editor for Newport Publications; Tom Moore, editor-in-chief for Randall Trucking Media; and Alan Sims, vice- president for the International Trucking Show.

The NTDA was founded in 1990 to represent trailer dealers. The association promotes trailer dealers and the trailer industry, including high standards of service and conduct, and safety on public highways. It provides information and education on matters affecting the trailer equipment industry. The Associates is the nation's largest independent provider of finance and leasing services for trucks and trailers, financing one out of every seven heavy-duty trailers. The company provides financing and leasing services to more than 100,000 dealers, fleets, and owner-operators in the trucking industry. Associates First Capital Corporation, established in 1918, is a diversified finance company providing consumer and commercial finance, leasing, insurance, and related services worldwide. The Associates, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, has operations in the United States and 13 international markets. The Associates is a Fortune 150 company and is listed among the magazine's Most Admired Companies.

For more information, visit The Associates web site at www.theassociates.com.