Government agencies will now have to audit their own shipping invoices before they're paid, according to guidelines established by the General Services Administration. The rule also encourages government agencies to reduce paperwork by using electronic payments and standard commercial payment practices, including commercial bills of lading instead of the Government Bill of Lading (Forms 1103 and 1203) for domestic freight and household goods shipments. These forms will be phased out by September 30, 2001. Agencies must notify carriers of any billing discrepancies within seven days of receipt of a bill.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has cited a lack of truck parking facilities as an important factor in fatigue-related crashes and has suggested that prohibitions be lifted to allow private development of rest areas on interstates.
In a May 17 public meeting, the NTSB also suggested that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration create a comprehensive guide, available both on paper and in electronic format, for all truck drivers to use that will inform them about the locations of all parking areas and space availability.
"The global positioning systems technology and the ability to communicate that information to truck drivers, combined with electronic maps, could also be used to help drivers locate parking areas," the agency noted.
Pointing out that parking time limits for public rest areas could result in drivers returning to the roadway before they're adequately rested, NTSB members suggested that these limits be reconsidered.
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America has promoted Robert E. McDowell exec. vp and chief operating officer. With this promotion, he also becomes a member of the board.
Herbert L. Henkel has been elected chairman of Ingersoll-Rand. He will retain the titles of president and CEO.
Haldex Brake Systems has announced that Gary Broda has been named vp-expansion operations.
Sharon Kaiser has joined Wright Express LLC as vp-product development.
USF Logistics, a logistics business unit of USFreightways, announced the appointment of Robert Endemann to vp and general manager, retail. Lonnie Turner becomes general manager, international.
Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems has named Dennis L. Sandberg president and general manager.
Landstar System has announced the promotion of Cheryl Smith to director of qualifications.
Transport International Pool, a GE Capital company, has announced the appointment of Alan Messing as vp-marketing and trailer division for its intermodal services division.
Western Star Trucks has organized a new sales group for its Solar Series trucks. Stephen J. Larkin has been named vp-medium-duty sales for North America; Jerry McNair is the new national sales manager for the U.S.; and J.P. Ouellette becomes the national sales manager for Canada.
Laurie M. Simpson has been promoted to manager-product engineering, wheel products, for Alcoa Wheel Products.
Craig L. Fisher has been named general manager of Advanced Handling Systems, a division of Morgan Corp.
William Himebaugh has been appointed director, national accounts, for ABF Freight System.
John Jordan has been named to the position of director of national accounts for trailer sales at Hyundai Precision American Inc.
Richard Cochran has joined Webasto Thermosystems as national account manager for the truck group in the U.S. Daniel C. Stalport becomes national account manager for the truck group in Canada.
Herbert J. Schmidt has been appointed to the position of president of Contract Freighters Inc. (CFI).
Air-Weigh has hired five new sales managers: Jeff McGrath, northeast region; Kerry Wilson, south-central region; Clark Fowler, southeast region; Robert Notter, mid-central region; and David Conner, international region and will market the company's onboard scales and multiplexing products to the trucking industry.
Delco Remy International has named J. Timothy Gargaro to the position of senior vp and chief financial officer.
Mike Cobb has been named director of safety for Landstar System.
John P. Chandler has been promoted president and chief executive officer of Intrenet Inc., replacing interim CEO Eric Jackson. Jackson has been appointed chairman, replacing Edwin H. Morgens, who remains on the board.
Tony Parton has joined Transportal Network as manager of implementation services. Brad Psajdl becomes manager of carrier operations and Tammy Moose manager of customer support.
Phillip C. Yeager, chairman of The Hub Group, was recently selected as the Outstanding Transportation and Logistics Executive in North America by the American Society of Transportation and Logistics.
The board of governors of the Institute for Truck Transportation Management elected Jonathan Randall as its new chair, and Ron D. Tartt as vice chair. Gerald P. Beauchamp and Bennett J. Wieringa have also been elected to the board.
