Jerome Nerman, co-founder of Kansas City-based Arrow Truck Sales, Inc., received Truck Blue Book’s inaugural Industry Achievement Award during ceremonies at the publication’s 2007 Workshop in San Antonio. Nerman started Arrow in 1950 with the late Melvin Spitcaufsky as a small used truck lot in downtown Kansas City, MO. Arrow, now part of Sweden’s Volvo Group, today operates 18 retail locations across North America.
“We are very proud to be able to present this distinguished award to Jerry,” said Terry Williams, Truck Blue Book editor. “Jerry's industry leadership, know-how and innovation made him the ideal first recipient of this award. Having been in the industry over 50 years, Jerry has established strong fellowships among industry leaders and has been very active in various kinds of community contributions.”
Williams said that under Nerman’s direction, criteria will be established for future Jerome Nerman Industry Achievement Awards to be presented by Truck Blue Book. He added that due to the significance of this award, it will only be given periodically to truly outstanding candidates within the industry. He also said a local Kansas City artist will be commissioned to design the award, a fitting aspect as Nerman is a noted art patron.
“I am very excited to have my name attached to this industry award,” said Nerman. “It will highlight leaders who get involved; first, personally; second, in the community; and third, in their business network. There should be a demonstrated lifetime of growth from their own neighborhood to the greater community in which they live. You gotta give back".
“Over a short period of time, I have become very good friends with Jerry, and his wife, Margaret,” said Carl Heikel, Arrow president & CEO. “Jerry’s vision, both in and outside the industry, is really amazing. Jerry is such an inspiration to us all. I respect his continued professionalism, as well as his contributions within the trucking community, not to mention his ‘giving back’ to the general community through his support of contemporary art.”
