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Best Three Days in Trucking Insurance Perspective

Mike Jordan — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:49:24 +0000

I have been involved with NASTC’s Annual Conference for 16 years now and I can say that I do not think that I could be prouder of what we accomplished in those 3 days. The breakout sessions and topics were on par with any previous annual meeting. We, as conference goers and venders, were graced with the presence of trucking and transportation treasures, like Rick Gobbell and Jeff Davis. Love both those guys. If with one of those fellas cannot get you out of trouble and compliant, I do not know who can. David Owen and Kevin Rutherford ended up in a many spirited debates throughout the weekend ending in agreement a time or two.

I was unable to attend our Broker Carrier Trust Forum dinner that Thursday night which featured a set from Killer Beaz and, most importantly of all, Overdrive Online’ s Small Fleet Championship. I was so proud to have learned that not only one of our members, but one of our insureds, was up for the title this year. We have had the pleasure of working with Oberman Logistics LLC dba Oberman Logistics for the last three years. Wesley Oberman is a great example of an owner that believes in strong partnerships with his vendors, willingness to embrace technology, and promote a no non-sense attitude to generate success in this challenging market and freight climate.

As part of our breakout session, Jeff Davis and I discussed how to surpass the insurance market’s expectations with telematic data. Wesley is a perfect example of a carrier that uses his telematic data to his advantage. He shares his ELD data with his insurance provider and they supply him with a vast array of reporting data back. Welsey actively, coaches and mentors his Owner Operator fleet with the real time data provided by his ELD provider. This active approach has helped Oberman retain and in some cases help encourage the operator on to his/her next employment
stop depending upon the outcome of the session.

(From Overdrive):

Wes Oberman noted surprise at the win when it happened for his now-11-truck all-owner-operator business, headquartered in Huntingdon, Tennessee, a couple of hours west of Nashville. He noted he had been a NASTC member from the start when he was but a one-truck, one-driver outfit, with himself behind the wheel. He continues to lead by example, as it were, in that regard behind the wheel of a 10-plus-mpg Kenworth T680 these days. “I would like to thank NASTC. … Their fuel card is second to none, and I’d also like to thank their insurance department” he said. “Without them, I don’t think we’d even be around at this point.”

Way to go Wesley, Job Well done, sir. All of us here at NASTC/NASTC Insurance Services, LLC, are proud to call you part of our family.

The bar has been set. Who will be the next NASTC member to qualify for this prestigious honor?

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The Best Three Days in Trucking: Highlights from the 2024 NASTC Conference

Brittney McMillan (NASTC New Member Sales & Conference Coordinator) — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 20:37:43 +0000

We are just off the heels of the 2024 NASTC Conference, and if you didn’t make it, you truly missed “The Best Three Days in Trucking”. This year’s event brought together the industry’s brightest minds to address challenges, share innovative solutions, and celebrate trucking excellence.

The conference opened with an impressive lineup of workshops, offering deep dives into critical industry topics. From Nicole Gifford’s training on on-site drug and alcohol testing to Homer Hogg’s expert guidance on SCR maintenance and repair, attendees walked away with actionable strategies to improve their operations. James Caperton showcased MYSTC Software, while Jeff Davis and Mike Jordan explored strategies to lower insurance costs by analyzing risk profiles and implementing proactive safety measures. Thursday’s sessions also included valuable discussions on fraud protection strategies, led by Kathy Dasal and Chuck Naab, and insights into trucking policy in an election year, presented by Jim Edwards.

Thursday: Celebrating Excellence

Winding down from a full day’s agenda, attendees networked with vendors, speakers and industry colleagues at the Meet Our Partners Cocktail Party hosted by Castrol. The Transportation Trust Forum was a cornerstone of the evening, filled with awards, recognitions, and industry insights. Lisa Smartt delivered an engaging keynote that set the tone for an evening of celebration. Roar Logistics took home the coveted Broker of the Year award, while the Overdrive Small Fleet Champions were recognized for their outstanding contributions, with honorees including Paul Rissler Transportation and C.W. Express.

Friday: Education and Networking

The second day offered a mix of training sessions and engaging discussions. Rick Gobbell’s class on DataQs updates and Kevin Rutherford’s ROTC session for remarkable one-truck companies provided targeted strategies for small fleets. Industry leaders, including Steve Keppler, Thomas Liberatore and Katie Morton, dissected the state of federal safety rulemaking, while Jeff Davis presented the “20 Must-Do’s” for compliance to safeguard operations. Tom Robertson and Carlos Austin unveiled new PrePass solutions, including a mobile app for bypassing tolls and managing costs and Trent Daum and Travis Rhodes showcased SambaSafety’s tool for assessing driver risk, helping companies reduce potential safety hazards.

Throughout the day, attendees explored the NASTC Vendor & Best Broker Showcase, an expo highlighting cutting-edge solutions for trucking professionals.

The night came alive with the Grand O Trucking Cocktail Party and Driver of the Year Showcase at the Country Music Hall of Fame sponsored by our partner, TravelCenters of America. Hosted by Kelly Lang & T.G. Sheppard and with performances by John Schneider, Kitty Steadman and Dave Karl this event celebrated the heart of the industry: its drivers, with the spotlight on remarkable individuals who embody safety and excellence.

Saturday: A Vision for the Future

Saturday’s general sessions featured a panel discussion with industry experts Rick Gobbell, Kevin Rutherford, Jim Edwards, Joe Rajkovacz, Jeff Davis, and Steve Keppler, focusing on the current state and future of over-the-road trucking. Broughton’s economic outlook gave attendees an in-depth analysis of freight flow trends and their implications for the industry.

The conference wrapped up with a luncheon and the Driver of the Year Award Ceremony honoring our 2024 Driver of the Year Team. Former Governor Mike Huckabee delivered an inspiring keynote, honoring the achievements of outstanding drivers who have collectively logged over 54 million accident-free miles.

A poignant moment during the ceremony was the posthumous recognition of Buster Anderson as the 2024 Transportation Professional of the Year. Anderson’s contributions to the trucking industry were celebrated with heartfelt tributes, highlighting his unwavering dedication and lasting impact. This award served as a powerful reminder of his legacy, which continues to inspire the trucking community.

Takeaways from the 2024 Conference

This year’s NASTC Conference offered more than just education—it delivered inspiration, practical solutions, and a renewed sense of community for trucking professionals. From addressing safety and compliance challenges to exploring emerging technologies, attendees left with the tools and confidence to drive their businesses forward.

As we look to the future, the dedication, professionalism, and innovation showcased during these three days remind us why this event is the cornerstone of the trucking industry. Here’s to the next year of excellence on the road! Mark your calendars for October 23-25, 2025!

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Notes from the 2024 NASTC Conference – The Best Three Days in Trucking

Mike Jordan — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:26:00 +0000

For those of you who did not get the opportunity to experience the NASTC conference this year, I wanted to take a minute to recap some of the highlights from an insurance perspective. Jeff Davis with Fleet Safety Services, LLC, and I had the pleasure of hosting a breakout session dealing with Safety, Compliance, and “Getting the Most Out of your Premium Dollars.” I was pleasantly surprised that we were able to prevent most of the session goers from not only falling asleep, but actually providing critical information related to arming each member with the necessary information to help ensure that their insurance premiums will remain in line with the marketplace.

It is critically important that each member is using all the data available to help your company be as safe and profitable as possible. As a NASTC member, you have many direct outlets to help with your safety numbers that are updated monthly by the FMCSA. Usually, 8-10 days after the end of the month, your SMS/CSA data will update for your viewing pleasure. All insurance companies are using this data to form an opinion about your company and what your insurance premiums will ultimately be your next renewal period. This data, along with data from the Central Analysis Bureau (CAB), plays a significant role in your premium. NASTC Insurance Services, LLC has seen many examples in 2024 where the members Loss Run Data is excellent, but still received a significant increase because of the violation data. Bottom line is you need to have a plan.

Key Action items to help prepare you for your upcoming insurance renewal. Arming yourself with these items you will give your company the best shot to have a favorable renewal in your next term.

Know the CSA/SMS better than the DOT. Log into you account and understand what you ISS-D score is and what is says about your operation.
Monitor your drivers and MVR history. Have a training plan for your drivers on a quarterly basis. Develop a Corrective action plan / incident-based train for those that need improvement or could impact insurance premium. (SAMBA Safety) is an excellent resource for this action plan.
Utilize all the data that your ELD provider has available to you as a company owner. Use this data to help identify coaching opportunities for each driver or cases where a reward might be in order. Know your data / reporting info and use it to your advantage.
If your feel like you need help or have serious compliance issues or concerns. I would recommend reaching out to Jeff Davis (Fleet Safety Services, LLC) (419) 733-7840 / jeff@fleetsafetyservices.com

Mike Jordan
Managing Agent / National Producer Number: 15155451

CA Agency License #0H37442
844.264.8500 • Fax: 615.451.9918 • Direct Line: 615.989.9172
mike.jordan@nastc.com • www.nastc.com

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