Page 17 - TrailerTalk - December 2025

TRAILERTALK
Members Honored at 35th Annual

Convention Awards Dinner…

Continued from Page 16

• Victoria Rodriguez, Texas A&M International University Level Sponsors included Aurora Parts, Hutchens Industries, Prestige
• Mya Simmons, Sheridan College Trailers, and Vanguard. Keay closed sponsor acknowledgments by
• Mallory Swint, Louisiana Tech University thanking Gold Level Sponsors, including ConMet, Dealership Drive,
• Dean Tinkle, Ivy Tech Community College Doleco, Fusable, Great Dane, Jost, Keith Manufacturing, Kinedyne,
• Zachary Tkatch, Gannon University. Manac, Max-Atlas, Ridewell, Roll-Rite & Vango, SAF-Holland,
Sidump’r, Strick Trailers, Trailer/Body Builders Magazine, Travis
Scholarships Expand the Body & Trailers, Truck Paper, and Wabash.
Foundation’s Impact
Bloomquist then underscored the A Heartfelt Gavel Passing
Foundation’s core mission: supporting One of the evening’s most personal moments came as Keay prepared to
children of NTDA member employees and pass the gavel to incoming Chairperson Heather Wilson. Reflecting on
NTDA employees pursuing continuing his seven years of service on the Board, Keay expressed gratitude for the
education. For 2025, the Foundation association, colleagues who guided him, and his family — especially his
awarded more than $108,000 in scholarships wife Christine, daughter Florence, and newborn daughter Margo.
to 24 students and two member-company
employees, recognizing a record-breaking He praised Wilson as “calm, thoughtful, intelligent, and deeply
78 applications reviewed by the Foundation Board. committed,” congratulating her as she assumed leadership. Wilson then
presented Keay with a service award and announced that NTDA would
Schaffer followed with an update on the Foundation’s longer-term donate $1,000 to Keay’s chosen charity, the National Trailer Dealers
progress. Since the scholarship program began in 1998, the Association Foundation.
has raised nearly $1.1 million while awarding 141 scholarships. Since
the non-profit Foundation’s formation in May 2023, it has raised over Looking Ahead to 2026 and Prize Drawings
$314,000 to support 49 young people. Wilson announced that the 36th Annual NTDA Convention will take
place October 14–16, 2026, at TPC Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
Schaffer announced the launch of a new endowment drive, aiming in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Registration and housing will open in
to build a $3 million fund capable of awarding $200,000 annually in May 2026.
scholarships. He reminded members that NTDF is a 501(c)(3), making
donations tax-deductible, and encouraged attendees to contribute via The celebration continued with multiple prize drawings featuring spa
the Foundation’s website at https://nationaltrailed.securepayments. packages, free registration, free golf or optional activities, and a grand
cardpointe.com/pay. prize package that included convention registration, activities, and a
three-night stay at the TPC Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa.

Trailblazer Award Highlights Dealer Excellence
To close the formal program, Lucas Deal of
Truck Parts and Service Magazine returned
to present the third annual Trailblazer
Award, honoring commercial trailer dealer
operations for excellence in business
success, customer service, community
engagement, workforce development, and
industry leadership.
Deal Announced the 2025 Finalists:

• Intermountain Trailer Sales and Service
• Mountain West Utility Trailer, Inc.
• North American Trailer Sales, Ltd.
• Stoops Freightliner — Quality Trailer
Honoring Sponsors Across Every Tier • Vernon Gene’s Mega Store — Doggett Freightliner.
Keay then returned to the podium to recognize sponsor contributions
across all levels. Executive Level Sponsors MAC Trailer and BMO He then welcomed award sponsors Procede Software and Hendrickson
Transportation Finance were thanked for top-tier support. Presenting to the stage, with remarks from Bennett Whitnell, Procede’s VP of Sales),
Level Sponsors included Aero Industries, AXN Heavy Duty, Brandt, and Kevin Miller, Hendrickson’s Director of On-Highway Sales. After a
Clement Industries, Dorsey Trailer, HDNABI, Hendrickson, KEA finalist recognition video, Stoops Freightliner was announced as the
Advisors, Midland Manufacturing, and Procede Software. winner of the 2025 Trailblazer Award.

Fontaine received recognition as the Diamond Level Sponsor. Platinum

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