Staff & Board of Trustees
Staff
![Tom Color Tom Color](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/03/Tom-Color-240x300.jpg)
Thomas A. Balzer, CAE
President & CEO
614-653-0290
Thomas A. Balzer, CAE is the president & CEO of the Ohio Trucking Association a position he has held for over seven years. Tom has over 25 years of experience as an association executive. During his tenure, the Ohio Trucking Association has seen some significant changes and logged some significant legislative wins. Including a 1,400% increase in assets, greater transparency and membership engagement, increased donations to the Political Action Committee and a heightened presence in Ohio politics.
Prior the Ohio Trucking Association Tom served as the director of administration at Midwest Motor Express, an LTL carrier with 32 terminals in 16 states, and a board member with Midnite Express, a truckload carrier that served 48 states and Canada. Tom has his CDL and drove linehaul during some of the busier times.
For over six years Tom was the executive vice president of the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association. During his tenure with the Association membership increased by 35% to the highest levels in organizational history, he returned the organization to profitability after over ten years of losses, and expanded its trucking education program offerings, including the nation’s only conference specifically for oilfield trucking operations.
Tom currently serves on the board of American Trucking Associations’s TruckPAC and the past chair of the Ohio Society of Association Executives. He also served on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Household Goods Consumer Protection Working Group and serves on a variety of policy committees for the American Trucking Associations.
Tom was born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota, received his M.B.A. from the University of Mary and his Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Dakota.
![Bradie Color Bradie Color](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/03/Bradie-Color-240x300.jpg)
Bradie Berry
Vice President
614-519-6462
Bradie Berry is an experienced association professional possessing more than 20 years of industry experience. In 2018, she joined the Ohio Trucking Association (OTA) as the Vice President of Meetings & Events. In 2022, she was promoted to Vice President. In this role, she is responsible for the high-level planning and execution of all meetings and events, growing the education programs portfolio, reboot of the Ohio Trucking Safety Council and manages the execution of the Association's strategic plan by staff.
Prior to joining OTA, Bradie worked for the Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) for more than 15 years where she progressed through a series of promotions, culminating as the Director of Major Events, a role in which she oversaw the organization’s Mid-America Restaurant Expo, a multi-day annual education and trade show exposition.
She holds a dual Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Organizational Communications from Otterbein University.
![Della Hole OTA 2021-12013081 Della Hole OTA 2021-12013081](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Della-Hole-OTA-2021-12013081-240x300.jpg)
Della Hole
Director of Operations
614-753-5125
Della M. Hole joined the Ohio Trucking Association (OTA) in July 2021. In October 2023, she was promoted to Director of Operations. She brings experience in office management, property management, finance/bookkeeping, human resources, and organizational management. She is responsible for coordinating meetings, maintaining the office's operations, and keeping things running smoothly.
Before joining the OTA, she was employed in healthcare in the hospital corporate setting and long-term care. Responsibilities in these roles ranged from finance to recruitment and retention.
In her free time, Della is an avid baker (focusing on creating new cheesecakes) and a reader. She prides herself on being a lifelong learner.
![1647709061244 1647709061244](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2022/03/1647709061244-c71770a5-0045-4fe2-ae5b-77edfb4a8a13.jpg)
Debra Seiple
Director of Business Development
614-653-1991
Debra Seiple (Deb) is an association management and sales professional with over 30 years of experience in membership growth, team development, membership and sponsorship sales, and executing customer service at the highest level. In March 2022, she joined the Ohio Trucking Association as the Director of Business Development. In this role, she is responsible for growing membership by sharing knowledge about the Ohio Trucking Association’s mission, benefits, and sponsorship opportunities with carriers, movers, and associated companies who serve Ohio’s trucking industry.
Prior positions held include Membership Manager, Membership Director, Sales Manager, Business Development Director and, more recently, Trade Show Manager for the Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA). For the past 7 years, Deb held the position of Trade Show Manager where she managed booth and sponsorship sales, and handled all vendor relations and logistics for their yearly, multi-day, trade show event. Deb also held the position of Membership Specialist, where she brought new members into the association.
Deb loves the Buckeyes, is a big NASCAR and NTT IndyCar Series racing fan, and is very active. She enjoys hiking, traveling, biking, the beach, spending time with family, reading, and riding their Harley.
![Donna Taylor_color Donna Taylor_color](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2023/10/Donna-Taylor_color-240x300.jpg)
Donna Taylor
Director of Communications
718-954-0725
Donna Taylor joined the Ohio Trucking Association (OTA) in October 2023 as the Director of Communications. Donna is a versatile professional with a track record of excelling in diverse industries. With a background spanning entertainment, hospitality, marketing, and more, she brings a wealth of cross-functional expertise to any role.
In her position, Donna is responsible for developing and executing an association-wide marketing plan, creating and implementing a comprehensive social media strategy, serving as the lead for the Level Up Webinar series, and providing event and education support.
Before joining OTA, Donna worked in Marketing and Communications. She relocated from New York City, where she spent over a decade working in the fashion and entertainment industry.
Donna loves spending time with her family and always seeks new adventures with her children.
Lobbyists - Governmental Policy Group
![_MG_6635-BrookeCheney-Edit_5x7_300dpi copy _MG_6635-BrookeCheney-Edit_5x7_300dpi copy](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2020/02/MG_6635-BrookeCheney-Edit_5x7_300dpi-copy-fce69285-fa92-4b29-94b1-67e2664c571c.jpg)
Brooke Cheney
Chairman of the Board
![_MG_6713-VictorHipsley-Edit_5x7_300dpi copy _MG_6713-VictorHipsley-Edit_5x7_300dpi copy](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2020/02/MG_6713-VictorHipsley-Edit_5x7_300dpi-copy-4fc3d595-a976-46fa-b3e3-b852ee1b5d6a.jpg)
Victor Hipsley
President & CEO
![_MG_6673-MattWhitehead-Edit_5x7_300dpi copy _MG_6673-MattWhitehead-Edit_5x7_300dpi copy](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2020/02/MG_6673-MattWhitehead-Edit_5x7_300dpi-copy-5ed25c98-316d-4735-8c05-2942467f16fc.jpg)
Matthew Whitehead
Vice President
![image001[96] image001[96]](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2023/04/image00196-cb5706eb-bac1-4286-954f-235e021c9edf.jpg)
Michael Guastella
Director of Public Affairs
![image002[8] image002[8]](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2023/04/image0028-9c2aea6c-73a2-4353-9eba-d40ba8e0dbc0.jpg)
Ronnie Romito
Director of Legislative Affairs
![Sanders Sanders](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2022/12/Sanders-e3c16dae-2cc7-461c-a543-8ecd2f3c48ef.jpg)
Sydney Sanders
Manager of Policy & Communications
![_1MG_6651-AubreySpencer-Edit_5x7_300dpi _1MG_6651-AubreySpencer-Edit_5x7_300dpi](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/04/1MG_6651-AubreySpencer-Edit_5x7_300dpi-3fd04c6d-76bc-42b2-921a-69db65d53f26.jpg)
Aubrey Spencer
Manager of Operations
![kelsey kelsey](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/04/kelsey-40c23ee3-a74a-44ed-9356-10ab69d1b256.png)
Kelsey Woolard
Director of Government Affairs
Officers
![Jon Gaupp Jon Gaupp](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2023/06/Jon-Gaupp-1024x813.jpg)
Chair
Jonathan Gaupp
General Transportation Manager
Walmart Transportation
![Jay Sewell OTA 2021-12013146 Jay Sewell OTA 2021-12013146](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Jay-Sewell-OTA-2021-12013146-819x1024.jpg)
First Vice Chair
Jay Sewell
President and CEO
Sewell Motor Express
![Liette Headshot Liette Headshot](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2023/07/Liette-Headshot-1024x819.jpg)
Treasurer
Rebecca Pohl Liette
Vice President of Marketing
Pohl Transportation, Inc.
![Tim Cowen OTA 2021-12013111 Tim Cowen OTA 2021-12013111](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Tim-Cowen-OTA-2021-12013111-0c9677f9-90be-4e73-b83f-3a2e6a46e515.jpg)
Secretary
Tim Cowen
President
Hornish Bros.
![Tony Tomase OTA 2021-12013153 Tony Tomase OTA 2021-12013153](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Tony-Tomase-OTA-2021-12013153-bd0adc8d-c436-4c94-9309-c9dc398719eb.jpg)
Immediate Past Chair
Tony Tomase
Owner
GetGo Transportation Co., LLC
Milbury, OH
![ScottPauchnik ScottPauchnik](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2019/12/ScottPauchnik-c47085da-da97-4c53-a637-aaa7e2f44edd.jpg)
ATA VP from Ohio
Scott Pauchnik
Sr. State and Local Government Affairs Rep.
FedEx
Trustees
![Screen Shot 2022-11-29 at 10.08.10 AM Screen Shot 2022-11-29 at 10.08.10 AM](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-29-at-10.08.10-AM-6cc205a2-2608-4ceb-8b57-e0c4744073d5.jpg)
Mathew Birdsall
EASE Expedited
![ChrisBobbitt ChrisBobbitt](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2019/12/ChrisBobbitt-8b1ba57b-f4dc-4cac-95f3-a9f3d8699cd2.jpg)
Chris Bobbitt
Sanborn, Brandon, Duvall & Bobbitt
![Kevin Burch OTA 2021-12013124 Kevin Burch OTA 2021-12013124](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Kevin-Burch-OTA-2021-12013124-240x300.jpg)
Kevin Burch
Martin Transportation Systems of Northern Ohio, LLC
![Mark Carrocce OTA 2021-12013160 Mark Carrocce OTA 2021-12013160](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Mark-Carrocce-OTA-2021-12013160-240x300.jpg)
Mark Carrocce Sr.
R&J Trucking Inc.
![Tim Chrulski-2[8] Tim Chrulski-2[8]](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2023/09/Tim-Chrulski-28-232x300.jpg)
Tim Chrulski
Garner Trucking, Inc.
![Richard M Crockett OTA 2021-12013148 Richard M Crockett OTA 2021-12013148](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Richard-M-Crockett-OTA-2021-12013148-240x300.jpg)
Richard M. Crockett
Capital Transportation, Inc.
![Donovan Ed Donovan](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2018/08/Donovan.jpg)
Ed Donovan
Marvin Johnson & Associates
![Willy Willy](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2019/12/Willy-08c5d510-721f-48ca-9111-0a586e1dd996.jpg)
Willy Jennings
Gateway Distribution, LLC
![Screenshot 2023-09-20 at 10.57.13 AM Screenshot 2023-09-20 at 10.57.13 AM](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-20-at-10.57.13-AM-c40a2086-80b5-4324-9487-07f20bfe441e.png)
Joseph Kerola
P I & I Motor Express
![Lawrence Lawrence](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2022/11/Lawrence-9b1d8f7d-1af6-4e8f-8970-8d3ee84c6b21.jpg)
Tracy Lawrence
Pilot Company
![Kevin Mast OTA 2021-12013102 Kevin Mast OTA 2021-12013102](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Kevin-Mast-OTA-2021-12013102-6c94b244-b003-40fa-9737-404a3b718845.jpg)
Kevin Mast
Mast Trucking, Inc.
![Brad Ralston Brad Ralston](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2023/09/Brad-Ralston-1024x696.jpg)
Brad Ralston
ContainerPort Group
![Jerold Richards OTA 2021-12013107 Jerold Richards OTA 2021-12013107](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Jerold-Richards-OTA-2021-12013107-240x300.jpg)
Jerold Richards
Classic Carriers, Inc.
![silhouetteweb photo coming soon](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2018/08/silhouetteweb.jpg)
Ryan Richards
JRayl Transport, Inc.
![Stacy Sadar OTA 2021-12013093 Stacy Sadar OTA 2021-12013093](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Stacy-Sadar-OTA-2021-12013093-240x300.jpg)
Stacy Sadar
Geotab
![Matthew Selby OTA 2021-12013114 Matthew Selby OTA 2021-12013114](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Matthew-Selby-OTA-2021-12013114-240x300.jpg)
Matt Selby
Frantz Ward LLP
![Doug Sosko OTA 2021-12013136 Doug Sosko OTA 2021-12013136](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Doug-Sosko-OTA-2021-12013136-240x300.jpg)
Doug Sosko
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
![Kiera Sullivan OTA 2021-12013097 Kiera Sullivan OTA 2021-12013097](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Kiera-Sullivan-OTA-2021-12013097-240x300.jpg)
Kiera Sullivan
Continental Express Inc.
![Ashley Von Derau OTA 2021-12013143 Ashley Von Derau OTA 2021-12013143](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2021/12/Ashley-Von-Derau-OTA-2021-12013143-240x300.jpg)
Ashley Von Derau
Rush Transportation & Logistics
![Screenshot 2023-09-22 at 3.32.32 PM Screenshot 2023-09-22 at 3.32.32 PM](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1828/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-22-at-3.32.32-PM-300x300.jpg)
Steve Zsulya
J.W. Didado Electric LLC
OTA Past Chairmen
2022-2023
Tony Tomase
2021-2022
Glenn Fehribach
2020-2021
Ed Nagle
2019-2020
Jim Subler
2018-2019
Dean Kaplan
2016-2018
Doug Sibila
2014-2016
Daniel Doran
2012-2014
Paul Williams
2010-2012
Suzie Schindewolf
2008-2010
John N. Hofstetter
2006-2008
Richard E. Durst
2004-2006
Keith A. Tuttle
2002-2004
Daniel E. Hennessey
2000-2002
Vernon E. Garner
1998-2000
Robert A. Barnes
1996-1998
James W. Bates
1994-1996
Steven D. Walker
1992-1994
A. Roger Atkinson
1990-1992
Jay L. Kaplan
1988-1990
Edward E. Ross
1986-1988
William G. Verst
1984-1986
Daniel E. Fuhrman
1981-1984
Philip E. Lattavo
1980-1981
Charles H. McCreary
1979-1980
Milton H. Bortz
1977-1979
John E. LeFevre
1975-1977
Carl W. Reagan
1973-1975
Ronald R. Sibila
1971-1973
Ralph E. Hennessey
1969-1971
R.R. Johnstone
1967-1969
O.M. Lattavo
1965-1967
Don E. Blancett
1963-1965
Howard E. LeFevre
1961-1963
J. Otis Ford
1959-1961
Samual J. Tutt
1957-1959
Jesse W. Sentle
1955-1957
Clarence A. Kelley
1953-1955
C.E. Williams
1951-1953
Kenneth Herriott
1949-1951
William Burbank
1947-1949
Frank Egner
1945-1947
Enry De Maria
1943-1945
John Ernsthausen
1941-1943
H.B. Franks
1939-1941
Ed Lee
1937-1939
L.J. Hughes
1935-1937
Merle Fullerton
1932-1935
Glenn R. Ward
1931-1932
Paul J. Herbert
1929-1931
Ray Wagner
1926-1929
Thomas Heil, Jr.
1923-1926
Frank Schmidt