Friday, December 22, 2006

Santa Claus Is a Teamster

Local 509 Member Delivers for Charity


Santa Claus really is a Teamster.

Tracy Trapka, a USF Holland city driver in Duncan, South Carolina, plays Santa Claus every year for his local union, Local 509 in Cayce, South Carolina. His white beard and hair are natural.

This holiday season, Trapka did something special.

"This year, he was asked to be Santa for Toys For Tots for the Marine Corps which was held at Harley-Davidson of Greenville,” said Richard Maxwell, a Local 509 business representative. “Brother Trapka rode in a fire truck and led over 750 motorcycles into the dealership with each motorcycle carrying a toy for a child. The response was overwhelming and the Marine Corps wants to make sure this Santa is back next year.”

“Teamsters Local 509 is truly proud to have this gentleman as a member and we appreciate his dedication each year as he brings joy into a child’s life,” said L.D. Fletcher, President of Local 509. “We have even had him go to an individual child’s home who has disabilities dressed as Santa on Christmas Eve because the child would only tell him what he wanted. The only way to make sure the child’s Christmas came true was for Santa to deliver the gift which proves Santa is a Teamster.”

Monday, December 18, 2006

ABF, FleetNet Announce New VPs

Two subsidiaries of Arkansas Best Corp. of Fort Smith have announced new vice presidents.

ABF Freight System Inc. has appointed Barry C. Hunter to vice president of administration and treasurer effective Feb. 1. Hunter, who has been with the company for 20 years, is now director of traffic services.

Hunter will assume the position being vacated by Arthur N. Lynch, who is retiring on Jan. 31.

Meanwhile, FleetNet America Inc. named Gary W. Cummings to executive vice president and chief operating officer effective Jan. 1. In this new position, Cummings will be responsible for all of FleetNet's operations. Cummings currently is serving as FleetNet's vice president of corporate services and will continue to oversee all information technology issues for the company.

Cummings has held various positions with Arkansas Best Corp. and its subsidiaries. He joined FleetNet two years ago. The company is a third-party vehicle maintenance company.