MILEAGE MATTERS
MTA NEWS
Maner Costerisan announced the merger of Baker Holtz, a respected Grand Rapids-based accounting and advisory firm, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The agreement, officially signed in late October, marks a major milestone in Maner Costerisan’s five-year growth vision to expand its service capabilities and deepen its presence across West Michigan.
MTA Sets New Wreaths Across American Record
This year's Wreaths Across America campaign set a new MTA record -- 118!
On December 13, these sponsored wreaths will be placed on veterans' graves in Arlington National Cemetery as well as local Michigan gravesites.
On behalf of WAA, MTA thanks our supporters for remembering and honoring our fallen heroes.
MTA Endorses TAEC's Plan to Eliminate Bad Acrors and Restore Fair Competition
In a move endorsed by MTA, the Trucking Association Executive Council (TAEC), a broad group of state and national trucking associations, has released a comprehensive policy blueprint -- The Fight for Fairness and Safety: Paving the Way for a Trucking Resurgence -- to eliminate bad actors who exploit regulatory gaps, undermine safety, and create unfair competitive advantages in the commercial trucking industry.
MTA Relaunches Magazine with New Publisher
The Michigan Trucking Association is pleased to announce a new partnership with Matthews Publishing Group (MPG) to relaunch MTA’s statewide magazine: Strait Ahead, the new official magazine of the Michigan Trucking Association.
Launching March 2026, we will create a timely, informative magazine that helps MTA members set the pace in Michigan's trucking industry. With MPG’s expertise, Strait Ahead will deliver original editorial content tailored specifically for members, paired with professional graphic design, photography and first-class production.
This year, we will publish four issues: March, June, September and November. Beginning Q1 2027, MTA will publish a hardcopy membership directory/buyer's guide along with three issues of Strait Ahead. All magazines and the directory will provide advertising and advertorial content opportunities.
We are confident Strait Ahead will become an essential "must read" as MTA continues to renew and rebuild to meet your needs. Stay tuned!
MBH Trucking's Sanderson Wins Two NTTC Safety Awards
During the National Tank Truck Carriers' Annual Tank Truck Week Conference in Kansas City, MO, its Safety & Security Council hosted an awards banquet October 8 in recognition of 2024 safety managers' outstanding performance. MBH Trucking, LLC's HR and Safety Manager Susan Sanderson (center) received two safety awards: Competitive Safety Contest, Grand Award and the Sutherland Division Safety Professional of the Year.
Congratulations Susan and MBH Trucking for your dedication to trucking safety!
MTA Has Your Back -- No New Truck-Specific Road Taxes!
It does make a difference when constituents reach out to their legislators.
As we've reported, Michigan's legislature had been actively threatening more truck-specific road taxes that unfairly target our industry. MTA asked for your help in contacting your state representatives and senators to tell them they can't disproportionately fix the damn roads on the backs of its trucking companies.
We sounded the alarm -- and you acted.
As a result of your outreach, and MTA's intense lobbying efforts, Michigan's legislature backed off truck-specific road taxes! MTA expects the state budget to be passed next week (9/30/25) to avoid a shutdown.
MTA is still actively engaging legislative decision makers to find equitable solutions to the complex issue of road funding.
Lasting Legacy: MBH Secures Spot Among Safest Bulk Fleets
The Michigan-based carrier’s growing reputation for operational excellence now includes a Heil trophy—an honor its owner hopes will help secure the company’s future. Brian Hitchcock (left) has served as the Michigan Trucking Association President and presently sits on MTA's Board of Governors.
MTA Elects 2025-2026 Officers and Board of Governors
At its September 12 annual meeting, MTA elected its 2025-2026 officers and Board of Governors. Serving another term are:
- Glen Merkel, Davis Cartage Company: Chairperson
- Cheryl Lathwell, Koleaseco, Inc.: Vice President
- Brian Brink, Brink Farms, Inc.: Secretary/Treasurer
- Evan Stouten, Modular Transportation: ATA State Vice President
Board of Governors:
- Edward Eberle, Magra, Inc.
- Carol Heinowski, Meijer Logistics, LLC
- M. Brian Hitchcock, MBH Trucking, LLC
- Ashley Kordish, Ralph Moyle, Inc.
- Larry Larson, Great West Casualty Company
- Jim McKinley, HNI Acrisure Partners
- David Menke, America's Transportation Resources
- Paul Millenbach, Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC
- Joe Oldenbroek, Oldenbroek Trucking
- Andrew Perdock, Cummins, Inc.
- Donald Quarles, Padnos
- Eric Rivard, Revenova
- Robert Yeager, FedEx Corporation
- Greg Zink, MRPR Group
MTA Testifies Before Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee
On September 10, 2025, MTA President & CEO Jill Sokacz and MTA Chairman Glen Merkel of Davis Cartage Company testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Local Transportation on truck weights and the importance of trucking to Michigan and our economy.
Once again, Michigan Trucking Association will be helping Wreaths Across America to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying veterans' wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes.
Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring a wreath(s).
At Michigan Trucking Association's request, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared September 14-20, 2025 Truck Driver Appreciation Week in Michigan.
This coincides with American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.
Did you know:
- Trucking provides 260,060 jobs in Michigan?
- There are 69,990 primarily small, locally-owned trucking companies?
- Trucking provides 1 in 15 jobs in the state?
- 71.5% of Michigan's manufactured tonnage is transported by truck?
MTA celebrates the men and women of the industry who deliver life's essentials every day. Thank you and safe travels!
On July 18, 2025, the American Trucking Associations announced new members of the Trucking Association Executives Council (TAEC). TAEC is comprised of staff executives of state trucking associations and conferences affiliated with ATA. The purpose of TAEC is to:
- Promote the trucking industry.
- Contribute to the improvement of the associations and organizations established to serve the trucking industry.
- Advance the professional stature and capabilities of the managers and executives of such associations.
Jill Sokacz, president and CEO, Michigan Trucking Association, has been named Chair of Region III.
On July 10, 2025 Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced two MTA member reappointments to the Michigan Truck Safety Commission:
- M. Brian Hitchcock, of Webberville, is the owner and chief executive officer of MBH Trucking, LLC and owner and president of Chloride Solutions, LLC. Hitchcock is a board member and former president of the Michigan Trucking Association. Hitchcock will be reappointed to represent the Michigan Trucking Association for a term commencing August 5, 2025, and expiring August 4, 2027.
- Carol Heinowski, of Grand Ledge, is the logistics, safety, and compliance manager at Meijer. Carol Heinowski will be reappointed to represent private motor carriers for a term commencing August 5, 2025, and expiring August 4, 2027.
The Michigan Truck Safety Commission is the only organization in the nation dedicated to commercial truck driver education and training supported solely by the industry it serves. The Commission is committed to enhancing truck and truck driver safety by providing truck driver education and training, heightening all drivers' awareness of the operational characteristics and limitations of trucks, initiating data collection and research, and supporting enforcement of motor carrier safety laws.
Ashley Kordish, the first female leader in longtime MTA member Ralph Moyle, Inc.'s history—and a future TCA Refrigerated Division chair—is navigating industry challenges while raising the bar for her family-owned company. Ashley also serves on MTA's Board of Governors.
As a direct result of discussions during U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett's April 23, 2025 visit with MTA member Davis Cartage Company, Congressman Barrett is co-sponsoring two bills that directly affect trucking:
- The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act (H.B. 1659) directs the Department of Transportation to provide competitive grants for projects that provide public parking for commercial motor vehicles and improve the safety of commercial motor vehicle drivers.
- The Veteran's Transition to Trucking Act of 2025 (H.B. 2954) authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve multi-State apprenticeship programs for purposes of veterans educational assistance, and for other purposes.
Congressman Barrett is a member of the House Committee on Transportation.
MTA member visits with legislators do make an impact. Consider participating in MTA's Call on Washington, December 2-3, 2025.
Congratulations to MTA member Marathon Petroleum for winning FleetOwner's Private Fleet of the Year at the National Private Truck Council's annual conference in Orlando, FL.
Congratulations to MTA member MBH Trucking LLC for winning their division at the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) 2025 North American Safety Contest. MBH won the Sutherland Division, which are carriers with under 15 million miles.
The North American Safety Contest is NTTC’s premier annual competition recognizing tank truck carriers with exceptional safety records and operational practices. Winners are selected based on a comprehensive review of their safety performance in the prior year, including accident frequency rates, safety program implementation, and driver training efforts.
MBH Trucking President Brian Hitchcock says it best: "I'm proud of our team!"
Rep. Tom Barrett Visits Davis Cartage Company
On April 23, 2025 MTA member Davis Cartage Company welcomed United States Representative Tom Barrett and his staff. A tour of the facility preceded engaging discussions on key trucking industry concerns with Michigan Trucking Association President/CEO Jill Sokacz and Davis Cartage President/CEO Glen Merkel.
The Michigan Trucking Association sincerely appreciates Rep. Barrett’s leadership and has full confidence in his continued advocacy as a new member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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