&uuid=(email))
TMC Recognizes Four Trucking Maintenance Leaders With Highest Honor
[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]
ORLANDO, Fla. — Four trucking and maintenance professionals were presented the Technology & Maintenance Council Silver Spark Plug on Feb. 27.
The honor, presented at the Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition, recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to improving heavy-duty vehicle maintenance. The honorees for this year are Brian Liimatta, customer support manager at Cummins; Matt Jablon, district service manager at Daimler Truck North America; Jack Poster, Jack Poster, the VMRS Services Manager at TMC; and Anita Byrne, who recently retired from the industry.
“TMC veterans know that the Silver Spark Plug is the council’s highest honor. It is not bestowed lightly,” TMC General Chairman Randy Obermeyer said.
Recipients must be a full or associate member of TMC. They also must have demonstrated five years’ active service in support of council leadership or activities, respect for their peers, clear industry leadership and contributions of new ideas in the maintenance of commercial motor vehicles.
TMC veterans know that the Silver Spark Plug is the council’s highest honor. It is not bestowed lightly.
TMC Chairman Randy Obermeyer
Image
Poster has been with TMC since 2007. He has played a crucial role in maintaining and updating Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS). These codes are used to track specific issues with trucks and equipment. TMC licenses the codes to carriers, mechanics and manufacturers with the goal of creating an industry standard.
“He is always helpful and participatory and is just so chill and easy to work with,” Obermeyer said. “He is Mr. VMRS. Although a paid professional staffer, this person’s efforts and technical contributions to VMRS in the industry in general go above and beyond that which would ordinarily be expected.”
Brian Liimata of Cummins has served as second vice chairman of the S.3 Engine Study Group. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
Liimatta, a TMC member since 2015, has been an active participant in the S.3 Engine
Study Group. That includes serving as second vice chairman. He also has chaired several related engine task forces with a focus on fuel and water separating devices. In addition, he has served on task forces within the S.14 study group covering light- and medium-duty and specialty trucks.
“He is known for going above and beyond and has worked on various RPs,” Obermeyer said. “He is always willing to take on challenges.”
Jablon has been a TMC member since 2014. He is active in the S.16 Service Provider Study Group, including serving as vice chairman. He also has chaired several task forces pertaining to service excellence, shop workload, vehicle trade decisions and uptime through deep digital management.
Matt Jablon of Daimler Truck North America is active in the S.16 Service Provider Study Group, including serving as vice chairman. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
“He was one of the pioneers of S.16. His work experience and passion for the service side of the business has been a true asset to our group’s work and accomplishments,” Obermeyer said. “He’s a silent leader who doesn’t seek recognitions for his contribution and isn’t afraid of putting in the work. He’s been a constant within S.16 all of these years and very deserving of the Silver Spark Plug.”
Byrne, a member since 2009, is known for being actively involved in numerous roles within the council, including study group secretary for the Corrosion Control Action Committee. She also received the TMC Study Group Secretary Award in 2015. Byrne, who was unable to attend the ceremony, just concluded a term as associate vice chairman and chairman of study group secretaries.
Her work on task forces and study groups is outstanding.
TMC Chairman Randy Obermeyer
“Her work on task forces and study groups is outstanding,” Obermeyer said. “She attends both meetings and is always promoting TMC..”
The Silver Spark Plug recognizes important occupations throughout the trucking industry beyond professional drivers: the people who ensure drivers are able to deliver the goods and materials that keep the economy moving. TMC considers the award its highest honor and presents it to four individuals during its annual meeting.
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing below or go here for more info:
