News

Interstate Distributor to host “The Wall That Heals”

March 16, 2015

Tacoma, WA – Next week South Sound residents will have the opportunity to honor and remember veterans of the Vietnam War at “The Wall That Heals,” a traveling half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC.

Interstate is hosting The Wall That Heals at their Tacoma headquarters Thursday, March 26th and Friday, March 27th through a partnership with the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Fund (VVMF) and the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA).

The VVMF has a mission to honor and preserve the legacy of service and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War. On Veteran’s Day 1996, the VVMF unveiled The Wall That Heals, a 250-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial designed to allow communities throughout the country to honor and respect the heroes inscribed on the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall. The traveling installation has visited more than 400 communities and includes a mobile education center that tells the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict.

“We are honored and humbled to host The Wall That Heals. Our organization employs a large number of active, reserve and retired military personnel as well as many family members who have served in the Armed Forces. It is important to us to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in keeping our great country free,” said Marc Rogers, President of Interstate.

The event will be opened on Thursday, March 26th with a formal gathering of invited guests. Members of the press are welcome to attend the event at Interstate’s terminal.

Thursday, March 26th, 11AM PDT
11707 21st Ave Ct S Tacoma, WA 98444

The Wall That Heals will be available for public viewing from 12 noon, Thursday, March 26th – 5pm Saturday, March 28th.

For more information about the events, contact Tonya Todd at 253.538.4182.

About Interstate Distributor Co
Headquartered in Tacoma, WA, Interstate Distributor Co. is a leading provider of transportation services including local, regional, refrigerated, dedicated, intermodal and transcontinental. With terminal and yard facilities located in major markets throughout the United States and Western Canada, Interstate has a national presence in the transportation industry. Established in 1933, Interstate currently employs more than 1,800 associates. For more information visit www.intd.com.

About Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
Based in Washington, D.C., VVMF (the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund) is the nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1980 to build a national memorial dedicated to all who served with the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War.

Since the dedication of The Wall, VVMF has pursued a mission of preserving the legacy of The Wall, promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War. Our latest initiative is the campaign to build the Education Center at The Wall. The Education Center will show the pictures and tell the stories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam, provide a rich educational experience on the Vietnam War, show some of the more than 400,000 items left at The Wall, and celebrate the values exhibited by America’s service members in all wars. For more information visit www.vvmf.org.

Saltchuk honored as Corporate Partner of the Year

February 26, 2015

SEATTLE – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound held its annual Big Breakfast this week, celebrating the relationship between its adult volunteer mentors and the young people they help guide to successful adulthood and honoring its top corporate community partner of the year

At the mentoring organization’s annual Big Breakfast in downtown Seattle, BBBSPS shared the story of two matches as shining examples of the organization’s work to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.

Brianne King, a financial services director for the Orting School District, was matched with her Little Sister, CyCy, when CyCy was 12. King helped guide CyCy through a difficult time early in her high school years. The two bonded over cooking and King was always there to offer support and guidance as CyCy made a courageous move to a new school that allowed her to succeed. CyCy is now 18 and preparing for nursing school. When Eric Olson and Octavio were matched, Octavio was an extremely shy and retiring 9-year-old. To help draw him out, Olson suggested that the two write a book together. When the book was finished, Olson suggested that they publish it, and that Octavio sell it around his neighborhood for a dollar. Later, Octavio suggested that they write yet another book. Olson also worked successfully with Octavio’s mother and teachers to improve his reading and writing. When he returned from summer break, Octavio had improved his reading by several levels and had become more outgoing.

During the Big Breakfast the agency named Brianne King as the 2014 Big Sister of the Year and Eric Olson as the 2014 Big Brother of the Year. This week King and Olson were also named Big Brother and Big Sister of the State of Washington and nominated for the nationwide Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year competition to be named at the Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference in Philadelphia in June 2015.

“King and Olson are shining examples of the power of one-to-one mentoring in the lives of our Littles.,” said Amy R. Mack, President and CEO. “Working with parents, teachers and their individual case managers they helped their Little’s set and achieve goals putting them on the path to success.”

The organization also honored Saltchuk as its 2014 Corporate Community Partner of the Year. Saltchuk, a diversified transportation company that owns local companies including Foss Maritime, Interstate Distributor, North Star Petroleum and Totem Ocean Trailer Express, has been a long-time supporter of BBBSPS at every level including board leadership, event sponsorship, and employee involvement.  In 2014 Saltchuk invested more than $170,000 in agency programs through sponsorships and a new multi-year grant.  

“We are incredibly grateful for organizations like Saltchuk that value what we do and want to see our work grow and succeed,” said Mack. Simply put Saltchuk is doing all it can do to make Big Brothers Big Sisters programs available for children facing adversity in the Puget Sound community.”

TOTE Wins Lloyds List 2015 Ocean-Going Ship Operator of the Year Award

February 20, 2015

TOTE was recognized as the winner of the Lloyd’s List award for Ocean-Going Ship Operator of the Year for 2015. Mitch Walker, Vice President of Ship Operations–Government for TOTE Services, attended the event and accepted the award on behalf of TOTE.

“It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of all the TOTE companies. We remain committed to providing the best service to our customers while limiting our impact on the environment and the communities we serve in both Alaska and Puerto Rico” said Mr. Walker upon accepting the award. “Our plans to convert our fleet to liquefied natural gas (LNG) will significantly reduce emissions, result in a safer workplace for our employees, and improve air and water quality.”

Each year, the Lloyd’s List North American Maritime Awards acknowledge industry leaders.

TOTE, Saltchuk featured in ANGA’s new ad

February 17, 2015

New Think About It ad will highlight TOTE’s LNG-powered containerships

The world’s first natural gas powered containerships are getting national attention as the focus of the newest advertisement in the Think About It campaign sponsored by America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA).

The ad, which launched today, highlights TOTE Maritime’s new liquefied natural gas (LNG) containerships. The ships have received praise within the shipping industry since the company made the announcement it was building them in December of 2012, but ANGA’s campaign is expected to catapult the project to the national stage, drawing attention to innovation and environmental responsibility in U.S. shipping.

“TOTE Maritime is the first U.S. maritime company to announce the conversion of its fleet to natural gas,” noted Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE, the parent company of TOTE Maritime. “Switching to natural gas will significantly reduce our emissions, improving air quality for our employees and the communities we serve.”

Construction of the first of two new Marlin class ships is nearing completion at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif. The first ship will enter service between Jacksonville, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico later this year as the most advanced, environmentally responsible vessel of its kind. The second ship will enter service in early 2016.

“We’re thrilled to highlight TOTE Maritime’s leadership in using natural gas to fuel its newest containership,” ANGA President and CEO Marty Durbin said. “This innovative ship marks a major milestone in the growing use of natural gas for marine transportation, driven by natural gas’ abundant supply and clear environmental benefits.”

TOTE also has plans to convert two of its existing ships serving Anchorage, Alaska, from the Port of Tacoma, Wash., to LNG by 2017. In both markets, the use of natural gas will significantly reduce particulate matter and carbon dioxide emissions along with sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide.

Mark Tabbutt, Chairman of Seattle-based Saltchuk, the owner of TOTE, commented, “We are proud of TOTE and the work that it is doing to advance LNG as an alternative maritime fuel. It’s an honor and a privilege to have this story told on a national scale.”

ANGA’s ad campaign highlights TOTE and Saltchuk’s investment and leadership in clean energy solutions. Television and radio ads will air today in national outlets and various media markets.

Interstate awarded the honor of “One of the Top 20 Fleets to Drive For”

February 3, 2015

TACOMA, WA – The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and CarriersEdge selected Interstate as one of the 2015 Best Fleets to Drive For. The 7th annual survey identifies for-hire trucking companies that provide the best workplace experiences for their drivers. Interstate was evaluated against a scoring matrix covering a variety of categories, including total compensation, health benefits, professional development, and commitment to employee personal growth, continuous improvement, annual driver turnover rate and fleet safety record.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition. We are proud of the improvements we have made in driver compensation and have introduced some truly outstanding programs that are setting the standard of excellence in this industry. ” Marc Rogers, CEO of Interstate.

“Interstate Distributor has a lot going on, and with the highest driver satisfaction rate in their peer group those investments are obviously paying off. This may be their first time in the Top 20, but we expect that it won’t be their last.” Jane Jazrawy, CEO of Carriers Edge.

Tony, who is a team driver at Interstate, voiced that the changes he has seen over the past few years have been substantial and essential to the growth and success of Interstate and their drivers. Tony is encouraged by all the positive changes and happy to be a part of one of the best fleets to drive for.

The Top 20 fleets will be recognized formally at the upcoming TCA conference in March. Marc Rogers will represent Interstate at the conference where he will accept the award on behalf of all the employees and driving associates of Interstate.

About Truckload Carrier Association
TCA is the only national trade association whose sole focus is the truckload segment of the motor carrier industry. The association represents dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, and intermodal container carriers operating in the 48 contiguous states, as well as Alaska, Mexico, and Canada. TCA represents operators of more than 200,000 trucks, which collectively produce annual revenue of more than $20 billion, TCA is an organization tailored to specific truckload carrier needs.