Hattiesburg, Miss. - Recently, Jones Logistics (JoLo) had the privilege to attend the 80th annual Mississippi Transportation Association (MTA) Conference in Orange Beach, Alabama. Representing JoLo this year were current MTA members, Brian Haynes, CEO, Kevin Callahan, Manager of Carrier Sales, and Walker Watkins, Associate Manager of Financial Planning, Analysis, & Reporting.
Photo Credits: Mississippi Trucking Association
The MTA Conference made history this year with a record number of nearly 470 members in attendance. JoLo has been a member with the organization for over ten years. Over the past two years, JoLo has had three team members who have played prominent roles with the MTA. As of 2022, Brian Haynes has been recently elected Vice Chairman of the MTA. Brian also opened the first session of the conference with a welcome address.“The MTA is such a great organization for us to be involved with,” he commented. “It’s obviously relevant to what we do, but it also gives us the benefit of saying that we play an active role in promoting our state by partnering with other trucking companies that are also based in Mississippi.”
In addition to Brian’s commitment to MTA, Walker Watkins was nominated by JoLo management for Lead MTA last year. Lead MTA is an in-person development program for young leaders in the transportation industry. The program is designed to educate young leaders by giving them the unique opportunity to attend legislative hearings and meet elected representatives at the state capitol building. They also receive invaluable networking opportunities.
“I could reach out to any of my peers in this program and ask them any questions about how they run their operations or the difficulties they are currently experiencing and know they will be eager to respond and help in any way possible,” Walker commented. “I look forward to participating going forward with many of the events MTA organizes to foster and develop relationships within the industry.”
Walker joined Brian as a member of the MTA conference this year, and they were accompanied by Kevin Callahan. Like Walker, Kevin was also recently nominated for Lead MTA, and will take part in those same development opportunities at the capitol building next year.
"It’s an honor to be nominated for this program and to be recognized by JoLo management,” Kevin commented. “I can’t wait to expand my network and keep learning alongside other young professionals in the transportation industry.”
At JoLo, we are proud to have employees like Kevin and Walker who are eager to join organizations that are relevant to our industry. That’s why we are always on the lookout for A-players who are just like them to join our team. Do you think you have what it takes? Click here to view our open positions at JoLo: https://www.joneslogistics.com/careers/
ABOUT JONES LOGISTICS
Jones Logistics is a transportation company based in Hattiesburg, MS. One of several entities under the Jones Capital umbrella, Jones Logistics offers various transportation solutions including dedicated contracts, flatbed hauling, project freight, transload services, and fleet management. Like its parent company, Jones Capital, Jones Logistics is founded on the core values of integrity, passion, unity, sustainability, and humility, and is committed to being a trusted partner in business.
ABOUT JONES CAPITAL
Headquartered in Houston, TX, Jones Capital is a family-owned, private capital provider dedicated to investing in middle-market businesses in order to help communities, create jobs, and enhance lives. Jones has a longstanding history that dates back as early as 1949 with a single, hardwood sawmill in rural southwest Mississippi. Today, Jones Capital owns several businesses like Jones Logistics, including Jones Lumber, Jones Power, PortaBull Fuel, Spot, Codaray, and FV Recycling, among others. To learn more about investing with Jones Capital, visit Jones.com.