Ohio Trucking Association

08/17/2026

Congratulations to Logan Stacho of Federal Express Corporation on an outstanding second-place finish in the Step Van Class at the 2026 National Truck Driving and Step Van Driving Championships! Way to make Ohio proud!

08/14/2026

Congratulations to Logan Stacho of Federal Express Corporation on advancing to the finals in the Step Van Class at the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) and National Step Van Driving Championships (NSVDC)!

Logan is representing Ohio on the national stage alongside some of the best professional drivers in the country, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Best of luck in the finals, Logan! Team Ohio is cheering you on! 🚚🏆

08/14/2026

Let's give it up for John Hughes with Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.! Ohio knows how to bring all the good energy!!!! 🎉📢 🎊

08/12/2026

OTA President & CEO Thomas A. Balzer, CAE, recently joined Behind the Wheelhouse on Trucker Talk Radio to talk about the issues shaping trucking today—and the work happening behind the scenes to move the industry forward.

From his experience earning a CDL and getting behind the wheel to advocating for Ohio’s trucking industry, Tom shares his perspective on truck parking, workforce challenges, freight rates, autonomous trucking and key legislative issues impacting carriers.

He also talks about why having a strong, unified voice for trucking matters—both at the Statehouse and beyond.

▶️ Watch the full conversation and hear Tom’s take on where the industry is headed.

In this episode of Behind the Wheelhouse on Trucker Talk Radio, Tho...

08/12/2026

State trucking associations rarely get the attention they deserve, but this conversation with Thomas Balzer, President and CEO of the Trucking Association, is a reminder of how much policy work happens before a carrier ever feels the impact.

Thomas joined us on Behind the Wheelhouse to cover the freight rate environment, the C.H. Robinson ruling's effect on carrier vetting standards, the collapse of reliable SAFER and CSA data, and Ohio's $150 million commitment to truck parking while Congress allocated the same amount for the entire country.

In this episode of Behind the Wheelhouse on Trucker Talk Radio, Tho...

08/11/2026

We’re sending our best to Ohio’s top professional drivers as they head to Pittsburgh this week for the National Truck Driving Championships!

These talented drivers will represent Ohio on the national stage, and we’ll be cheering them along the way.

🚛 3-Axle: William Roark — UPS
🚛 4-Axle: Matthew Keeney — XPO
🚛 5-Axle: Tom Congrove — UPS (also our Grand Champion!)
🚛 Flatbed: Chris Reeb — UPS
🚛 Sleeper Berth: Merle Ashbaugh — DHL Supply Chain
🚛 Step Van: Logan Stacho — Federal Express Corporation
🚛 Straight Truck: Howard Friend — PITT OHIO
🚛 Tank Truck: Jeff Rose — Santmyer Logistics
🚛 Twin Trailers: William Wilt — FedEx Freight

Good luck, Team Ohio! Bring it home! 🏆👏

07/14/2026

What an awesome event by OTA member Hogan Transportation!!

Our team recently partnered with Dollar General for a “Beat the Heat” event focused on keeping drivers safe, informed, and supported during the summer months. ☀️

The event included food, snacks, cold drinks, cooling towels, fleet walks, summer driving and workplace safety education, and plenty of time for relationship building. Our team also kept extra cases of water on hand for any drivers who needed to stock their trucks.

Thank you to everyone from Hogan and Dollar General who helped make the event such a great success. We look forward to continuing these events throughout the summer!

06/24/2026

Following the tragic crash on I-70 involving a detached commercial vehicle tire, Ohio Trucking Association President & CEO Tom Balzer was interviewed by Dayton 24/7 Now to provide insight into the inspection, maintenance, and safety procedures that professional drivers and motor carriers follow every day.

A deadly, freak accident on I-70 is raising safety questions after a semi truck tire broke loose and struck multiple vehicles.The crash happened Friday aftern

05/20/2026

We’re proud to see the Ohio Trucking Association Driver of the Year program recognized by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission as they honored two outstanding finalists committed to keeping Ohio’s roadways safe. Programs like Driver of the Year shine a spotlight on the professionalism, dedication, and safety culture that define Ohio’s trucking industry every day.

Congratulations to William Reynolds of Ports Petroleum Company and Timothy Doerfler of Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. on this well-deserved recognition. We also thank the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission for helping elevate the professional drivers and member companies that keep freight moving safely across the state every day.

To learn more about OTA's committment to advocating for, supporting, and recognizing the people and companies driving Ohio forward, visit us at www.ohiotrucking.org

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission recognizes two finalists from the Ohio Trucking Association’s (OTA) Driver of the Year awards program who haul freight across the 241-mile toll road. They attended a commission meeting in Berea, Ohio, on May 18, 2026, and were saluted for their dedication to keeping the roadways safe.

The OTA awards program highlights professional truck drivers who demonstrate exceptional safety records and a strong commitment to their profession and communities.

Pictured (left to right): Chris Matta, P.E., chief engineer/deputy executive director of the turnpike commission; William Reynolds, OTA Truck Driver of the Year Finalist, and Phillip Le Claire, safety director, from Ports Petroleum Company in Wooster, Ohio; Timothy Doerfler, OTA Truck Driver of the Year Finalist, and John Hughes, regional safety manager, from Old Dominion Freight Line in Columbus, Ohio; and Ferzan Ahmed, P.E., executive director of the turnpike commission.

05/16/2026

A huge shoutout to the technicians competing today!

From diagnostics to inspections and everything in between, these competitors represent the very best of the industry. Best of luck to all of this year’s TechComp participants!