PTTA - Piedmont Triad Transportation Association

Dempsey Benton
Director, NC Office of Economic Recovery and Investment

Reserve Tuesday, September 22, 2009 on your calendar for the PTA Fall Dinner at Volvo with The NC Office of Economic Recovery and Investment Director Dempsey Benton. www.ncrecovery.gov

The Office of Economic Recovery & Investment is a temporary office that coordinates and monitors North Carolina's use of the federal stimulus funds. The office will help ensure that the funds will be put to use quickly and efficiently, and with the transparency and accountability that North Carolinians expect.

The federal stimulus package provides about $6.1 billion in direct aid to North Carolina to create jobs, address state budget stability, and rebuild and expand our state's critical infrastructure, including highways and schools. It also injects additional money into the state through targeted tax cuts, additional grants from federal agencies and direct funding for specific federal programs in the state.

Governor Perdue has named Dempsey Benton . . . to lead the office and provide accountability for the use of the stimulus funds. Dempsey Benton will be assisted by staff in the governor's office and representatives from various state agencies.

Benton served as secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services from August 2007 to January 2009. He worked to restore stability and organization to the agency, particularly the troubled mental health program. Before that he was chief deputy secretary of the state Environment and Natural Resources Department from 2001 until January 2007. Benton helped lead the special Hazardous Materials Task Force created following the October 2006 fire at the EQ warehouse in Apex. As a result of Benton's work and leadership, several of the task force's recommendations were adopted as state regulations or passed by the General Assembly into law.

Prior to joining state government Benton served as Raleigh city manager from 1983 to 2000 and as the city's assistant manager from 1974 to 1983. Before moving to Raleigh, he served as city manager in Elizabeth City and finance director in Rocky Mount.

PAST AFTER-DINNER SPEAKERS

Jerry Moyes
Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Swift Transportation

Moyes, 64, is Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the Phoenix-based Swift Transportation Co., a privately–held company he started with a single truck. Founded in 1966, Swift Transportation is the nation’s largest truckload carrier, which provides dedicated fleet services to many of the nation’s largest retailers. Swift Transportation’s 18,000 award-winning professional truck drivers safely travel more than 40 million miles per week with an industry leading on-time delivery rate.

A native of Plain City, Utah, Moyes relocated to Phoenix in 1966 and started hauling steel with his one truck. He then started a company called Common Market Dist. Corp., which later merged with Swift Transportation Co. Inc. Moyes was one of the founders of Swift Transportation and in 1984, he became chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of the company. Swift went public in 1990 and Moyes took the company private in 2007. Swift Transportation has developed into one of the most successful truckload carriers in the United States, having grown its operating revenue from $33 million in 1985 to $3.2 billion in 2006.

Jerry Moyes also owns the Phoenix Coyotes Hockey Club and has extensive business interest in other trucking companies, aviation, manufacturing and real-estate. Many of these companies have an Arizona presence. His involvement in the Arizona sports scene is not limited to the Coyotes as he is also a limited partner with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and formerly, The Phoenix Suns.

A graduate of Weber State College, Moyes is a past vice president of the American Trucking Associations and previously served as president of the Arizona Trucking Association.

Jerry and his wife Vickie have been married for 41 years and have ten children and fourteen grandchildren. They are actively involved in the community with a special interest in children and women’s issues. They provide numerous educational scholarships and follow the progress these students make in school.

From Swift Transportation's Website:
Jerry Moyes began hauling steel from Arizona to Los Angeles ports with one truck in 1966, forming a partnership with a steel importer called Common Market Distribution Corp., which he later merged with a company he founded, Swift Transportation. In 1986, he was named Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of the company. From 1986, Mr. Moyes has helped grow Swift from a single truck to a leading company in its industry. Mr. Moyes has also been involved in a number of other organizations, serving as vice president of the American Trucking Associations and as president of the Arizona Motor Transport Association. He currently serves as a board member of the Truckload Carriers Association, a Director for the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and a member of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Brigham Young University. He has served as Chairman for several corporations, including Central Freight Lines and Central Refrigerated Transportation Service.

Elizabeth Dole

US Senator

Elizabeth Dole has had a remarkable public service career, serving five United States Presidents and winning 54% of the vote in November 2002 to serve the people of North Carolina in the United States Senate. As Senator, Elizabeth Dole is focused on growing the economy and creating jobs, strengthening national security and modernizing our military, improving education and making quality health care more affordable and accessible. Elizabeth Dole is committed to making North Carolina – and America – safer, stronger, healthier and more successful in the months and years ahead. She serves on the Senate Armed Services, Banking, Small Business and Aging Committees.

Elizabeth Dole has been named numerous times by the Gallup Poll as one of the world’s top ten most admired women. She was the first woman to serve as the departmental head of a branch of the military, the U.S. Coast Guard, when she was Secretary of Transportation.

A native of Salisbury, North Carolina, Elizabeth Dole graduated with distinction from Duke University in 1958 and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She earned a degree from Harvard Law School in 1965 and also holds a master’s degree in education and government from Harvard.

From 1969 to 1973, Elizabeth Dole served as Deputy Assistant to President Nixon for Consumer Affairs, beginning a career of dedication to public safety, for which she received the National Safety Council’s Distinguished Service Award in 1989. Elizabeth Dole’s resume includes six years (1973-1979) as a member of the Federal Trade Commission and two years (1981-1983) as Assistant to President Reagan for Public Liaison.

In February 1983, Elizabeth Dole joined President Reagan’s Cabinet as Secretary of Transportation – the first woman to hold that position. During her four-and-a-half years at Transportation, the United States enjoyed the safest period then to date in all three major transportation areas – rail, air, and highway.

Elizabeth Dole was sworn in by President Bush as the nation’s 20th Secretary of Labor in January 1989. She worked to increase safety and health in the workplace, advocated upgrading the skills of the American workforce, and played a key role in resolving the bitter 11-month Pittston Coal Strike in southwest Virginia.

Elizabeth Dole left President Bush’s Cabinet in 1991 to become only the second woman since founder Clara Barton to serve as President of the American Red Cross, an organization larger than many of the Fortune 500. To demonstrate her appreciation for volunteers, the heart and soul of the American Red Cross, Elizabeth Dole volunteered her first year at the Red Cross, accepting no salary. During her tenure, 91 cents of every dollar spent went to programs and services.

Representing the American Red Cross internationally, Elizabeth Dole visited Kuwait following the Gulf War to assess Red Cross services provided to U.S. military personnel. In December 1992, she visited Red Cross relief operations in famine-stricken Somalia and Mozambique, as well as in war-torn Croatia. In August 1994, Elizabeth Dole led a humanitarian relief delegation to Rwandan refugee camps in the former Zaire.

In January 1999, Elizabeth Dole concluded her service at the Red Cross and sought the Republican presidential nomination. In her campaign for president of the United States, Elizabeth Dole became the first viable woman candidate from a major political party. She attracted thousands of first-time voters into the democratic process.

Elizabeth Dole’s awards are numerous, ranging from honors for civic service and leadership in government to accolades for her charitable commitments and dedication to issues surrounding women in the workplace. In 1991, she was honored with the prestigious North Carolina Award from Governor James Martin. She was named “North Carolinian of the Year” by the North Carolina Press Association in 1994. In 2006, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce presented her its "Citizen of the Carolinas" award. In 1993, Women Executives in State Government honored Elizabeth Dole with its Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1998, she received the Humanitarian Award from the National Commission Against Drunk Driving. That same year, Elizabeth Dole was selected for induction into the Safety and Health Hall of Fame International for her transportation, workplace, and blood safety accomplishments.

She has also received the Foreign Policy Association Medal, and the Radcliffe College Medal for her outstanding accomplishments. Elizabeth Dole was awarded the National Religious Broadcasters’ 1999 Board of Directors Award. In 1995, she received Churchwoman of the Year honors by Religious Heritage of America, and in 1996 the Christian Woman of the Year Association named her Christian Woman of the Year. Elizabeth Dole was honored by the League of Women Voters as the recipient of the Leadership Award in 1994, and in 1995 she received the Raoul Wallenberg Award for Humanitarian Service.

Elizabeth Dole has received honorary doctorate degrees from over 40 colleges and universities. She served on the Duke University Board of Trustees from 1974 to 1985 and Board of Overseers for Harvard University from 1990 to 1996.

Robey (Rob) W. Estes, Jr.
CEO Estes Motor Lines

Graduated from College of William & Mary in 1974

Majored in Business and Accounting, successfully passing the CPA exam

Has never worked anywhere except Estes Express Lines. He started washing trucks at age twelve and worked every spring break and summer through high school and college.

After college, has held progressive jobs at Estes:

Sales in Richmond area 1975 – 1976
Terminal Manager in Florence, SC 1976 – 1978
Regional Manager in Charlotte, NC 1978 – 1980
Assistant to President/Accounting in Richmond 1980 – 1983
General Manager/Treasurer in Richmond 1983 – 1987
President/Treasurer in Richmond 1987 – 1999
President/CEO 1999 – Present

Married to former Jean Berger from Gretna, VA (William & Mary 1975)
Two Children – Carrie, 28, Graduate Masters of Accounting at UNC, Currently working at Estes
Webb, 24, Graduate Masters of Accounting at W&M, Currently driving at Estes

Board of Governors Southern Motor Carriers Rate Conference
Board of Directors – American Trucking Association
Advisory Board Member of Needles Eye Ministries
President of non-profit organization North Star Inc.
Current Member of Richmond Christian Presidents Group
Former Chairman Board of Deacons at Bon Air Baptist Church
Former Board Member of Richmond Goodwill
Former Board Member of Virginia State Chamber of Commerce
Former Chairman of Bon Air Capital Funds Campaign
Enjoys softball, bridge and talking transportation

Glenn Sessoms
Vice President and General Manager of Air, Ground and Freight Services
FedEx Southern Region, FedEx Express

Glenn Sessoms is the Vice President and General Manager of Air, Ground and Freight Services for the Southern Region of FedEx Express. In his current role Mr. Sessoms is responsible for the daily operations and strategic direction for all FedEx aircraft and trucking interface in the Southeastern United States . He is responsible for the leadership and direction of 4,500 employees and his scope of responsibility covers 26 logistics facilities distributed over 14 states.

Mr. Sessoms began his career with FedEx in 1982. Prior to his current leadership position he served as a Supervisor, Senior Manager, Managing Director and Vice President. As Vice President of FedEx Retail Services, Mr. Sessoms was responsible for the Sales, Marketing and Operations of the FedEx Retail Network including all FedEx dropboxes, FedEx Service Centers and the network of FedEx authorized shipping centers.

Mr. Sessoms is a two time recipient of the FedEx Five Star Award, the company’s highest award for outstanding leadership excellence and corporate contributions.

In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Sessoms is an active member of his community. He has served as Chair of the FedEx United Way Campaign and played an integral role in community events focused on the betterment of Memphis including National Civil Rights Freedom Awards Banquet, Love Thy Neighbor Service-Easter Sunday and Empowerment Seminar. Mr. Sessoms is an active member of his church where he serves as the church Moderator (President). He also serves as a Board Member of Memphis INROADS.

Mr. Sessoms was born in Norfolk , VA and received his B.S. degree at Virginia State University where he was an all American football player.

Mr. Sessoms currently resides in Memphis , TN with his wife of 26 years and their three children.

Gordon Mackenzie
President - UPS Freight (Now Retired)

RICHMOND, Aug. 1, 2007 - Jack Holmes, a 28-year UPS veteran who has headed the operations of UPS Freight for the past year, has been promoted to president of the trucking unit to replace the retiring Gordon Mackenzie.

Holmes, 47, headed the UPS (NYSE:UPS) transition team after the company acquired the former Overnite Transportation Co. in 2005. For the past year, he has served as the senior vice president of operations at UPS Freight.

Mackenzie is a veteran of more than 40 years in the transportation industry, including the last 12 at UPS Freight and Overnite. Mackenzie has served as president of UPS Freight since Aug. 1, 2006, and will step down Sept.10.

"Gordon Mackenzie played a critical role in the development of Overnite Transportation and then stayed on board with us to ensure a smooth integration and to help set the stage for the growth we're seeing now," said Mike Eskew, UPS's chairman and CEO. "All of us at UPS appreciate his contributions and wish him the very best in retirement."

Before joining Overnite in 1996, Mackenzie served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Preston Trucking Company. He also held various executive positions with Standard Trucking Company; Ryder/PIE Nationwide, Inc., and Transcon Lines, Inc. Prior to assuming the post of president of UPS Freight, Mackenzie served as the unit's chief operating officer.

Holmes began his UPS career in 1979 in West Chester, Pa., as a part-time employee. He became a package car driver in 1982 and was promoted to management in Philadelphia in 1983. He served in various operations, engineering and safety assignments in Alabama, Georgia, Utah and in the Chicago area before being named head of the UPS Freight transition team.

According to the American Trucking Associations, UPS Freight now is the nation's fourth-largest less-than-truckload (LTL) company.