California Construction Trucking Association (CCTA)

In addition to announcing the newly elected Executive Committee members, we discussed and implemented many new and dynamic changes for CDTOA. First, we have or pretty much completed the draft of the association’s new bylaws. Secondly, we will be renaming and restructuring CDTOA into what we hope is an even more formidable organization. As discussed in the “About the Cover” in the President’s Report, we have a newly elected Executive Committee who will be responsible to lead CDTOA into the future as the newly renamed California Construction Trucking Association.

As far as the election results went, there was a slight twist concerning the open Southern 2nd Vice President position which led to a write-in tie. After some discussions, it was agreed that the best person to fill the position was Doug Nichols who had run against Fred Martin for the President position, but hadn’t won, yet received a substantial number of votes including the write-ins. The Board unanimously agreed that Doug was the best person to fill the position and it was approved.

As far as the Association name change to the California Construction Transportation Assoc., (CCTA) the Board agreed that an all-encompassing approach to cover all types of on-road and even some off-road construction vehicles was the direction that CDTOA should be moving towards. We already represent dump trucks, lowbed/heavy haulers and concrete pumpers, so why not include flatbeds, water trucks, oil tankers, pneumatics, concrete pumps, mixers and even street sweepers. All agreed that these industries were something CDTOA or CCTA should really be adding to our sphere-of-influence. Under this reorganization, all the subtypes of construction related vehicles would have a conference and the name CDTOA would stay for the Dump Truck Conference. Our goal is to expand to win!

I believe that one of the most influential comments at the meeting that helped to push us to move in this direction came from our lobbyist and counsel Brooks Ellison, who said, “Over the past few years at the Capitol it has become clear that the CDTOA name does not fully describe our diverse membership, which actually includes a wide variety of construction truck owners and operators in addition to dump trucks. While the CDTOA name has historic significance, in the era of term limits and rapid-cycling politicians, not to mention tens of thousands of competing special interests, we need a name that cuts to the chase and leaves an accurate and lasting impression with our ever-changing politicians. We found ourselves having to spend valuable time describing what CDTOA actually does and represents, rather than get straight to the point – telling the politicians how to fix the state and improve our industry. For example, while testifying during a hearing at the Capitol this past session, it wasn’t until I took the time to clarify that we actually represent trucking companies from all fields of the construction industry that I sparked interest in some politicians who otherwise would have remained disinterested because they didn’t view “dump trucks” as a key interest of their constituents. However, they immediately knew that rebuilding the construction industry was something that voters desperately wanted. The California Construction Trucking Association is a name that accurately describes us and grabs the attention of policymakers in California.”

There are about 12 organizations with this acronym CCTA according to acronymfinder.com. None are trucking or construction related, but since CCTA was taken, it was decide that “CalConTrk.org/net/com” would be our new domain and email shortcut for the web and staff email. We even discussed expanding our influence regionally to the Western Construction Transportation or Trucking Association (WCTA).

We will be working with Brooks’ and his staff to make this all happen as quickly, economically and efficiently as possible, with our official roll-out date the first of the year.

Make sure you tell your industry transportation friends, that we now represent all construction trucks!

President McClernon Gives His Last Report

On Page 4 CTN Nov. issue, Robert “Rob” McClernon delivered his last report at least as President of CDTOA. I can honestly say (since I’ve been around here for over 20-years) and involved with at least 10 different presidents’ terms, Rob like many before him, exemplified the duties, responsibilities and pro-active involvement in both CDTOA and AADT as President.

During the first year of Rob’s term, we passed AB 145 the Broker bond requirement which will be the foundation of a body of laws to level the playing field for all trucking brokers in the state. It has been an honor to work for and with him over the last two years. I look forward to the same from our newly elected President Fred Martin.