20016 – 2017 Western States Trucking Association Candidate Profiles
President – Aaron Rodriguez
Member Chapter: San Gabriel Valley
Member Join Date: February 2012
Trucking Business Experience: I am a third-generation trucker. My grandfather started J. G. Rodriguez Trucking in 1974. We have been through numerous ups and down cycles in this industry and have been fortunate to make it through some very tough years. We have been able to navigate a quickly changing industry environment both from a human resource level to the operational level.
WSTA Chapter Position Held:
– Director, 2013 to Present
WSTA State Position Held:
– 2nd Southern Vice President – 2014-15
How would you improve the Association: I think that it is important that the Association continue to help small businesses. It is necessary that the Association continue to receive input directly from the businesses that it serves so that it may utilize its resources where they will be most effective.
How would you improve the Industry: One of the biggest ways that I would like to improve the industry is to help educate the owner-operators and small businesses on methods of exercising our rights in this fast moving and ever changing industry. It is not sufficient enough to just get up, go to work, work hard, and maintain your equipment. It’s a much bigger battle getting paid for services in a timely manner and to keep up with the licenses and certifications required by the state or local municipalities. I have always tried to communicate experiences that I have had to others in this industry so we can continue to move forward as an industry and will continue to do so.
Secretary – Sandra Alzate
Member Chapter: West Los Angeles
Member Join Date: October 2005
Trucking Business Experience: Vice President of Southwest Trucking Group since 2004. Handle all administrative functions.
WSTA Chapter Position Held:
– None
WSTA State Position Held:
– None
How would you improve the Association: Represent and assist all members and increase membership.
How would you improve the Industry: Get involved in educating truckers to unite so we can make positive changes.
Treasurer – Kelvin Monzon
Member Chapter: Southern Los Angeles
Member Join Date: January 2012
Trucking Business Experience: I grew up in the trucking industry. After college, I went and worked for Con-way Freight from 2008-10. Two years after working for Con-way, I started my own business in 2010.
WSTA Chapter Position Held:
– Chapter Chair, 2012 – present
– Director, 2012 – present
WSTA State Position Held:
– N/A
How would you improve the Association: Bring new and fresh ideas to the table. Continue to promote and recruit membership. Represent the Association as much as possible.
How would you improve the Industry: Get involved with the trucking industry workshops, seminars and trucking events in order to learn and contribute to problem solving. As our Association and the industry as a whole is evolving, I want to be part of the positive change. I will use my position with this Association to help influence the decision makers of the industry to better the working environment.
1st Northern Vice President – Danny Rocha
Member Chapter: Modesto
Member Join Date: November 2012
Trucking Business Experience: Trucking Sand & Gravel Since 2000. Owner-operator
WSTA Chapter Position Held:
– Director, 2014 – Present
WSTA State Position Held:
– 2nd Northern Vice President, 2014-15
How would you improve the Association: By being attentive to new industry standards that are changing statewide. Also informing current and new members by having local chapter meetings.
How would you improve the Industry: The best thing I can do to improve the industry, is to continue to stay active in the Western States Trucking Association. To be a voice for the local truckers in my area and act as a liaison between all truckers, association members, affiliate members and the WSTA. To be a leader and not stop fighting for the rights of the small business truckers and owner-operators.
2nd Northern Vice President – John Pitta
Member Chapter: Monterey Bay
Member Join Date: September 1989
Trucking Business Experience: Driving for 50 years, in business for 26 years.
WSTA Chapter Position Held:
– Chapter Chair, 2000 – 2014
– Director, 1991 – 2014
WSTA State Position Held:
– 2nd Southern Vice President, 2010 – 2011
– Treasurer, 2012 – 2015
How would you improve the Association: I would like to see more participation by members. We have faced many challenges in the recent past and will face more in the near future, the more minds and ideas, the better.
How would you improve the Industry: I would like to see more cooperation among the many different sides of trucking. We have many of the same issues and in numbers there is strength.
1st Southern Vice President – Victor Vasquez
Member Chapter: San Gabriel Valley Chapter
Member Join Date: February 2012
Trucking Business Experience: Nine year’s experience in the trucking industry.
WSTA Chapter Position Held:
– Chapter Chair, 2012 – Present
WSTA State Position Held:
– N/A
How would you improve the Association: I will actively recruit new members to the Association including focus on adding many of the Spanish speaking truckers who I am currently working with on a six-year construction project to become active participating members in the Association subdivision – Coalition of American-Latino Truckers.
How would you improve the Industry: To be honest with our members with any trucking related updates. Try to clear up any myths or false statement about trucking compliance issues. Work on adding new affiliate members to give our association/members new options and benefits.
2nd Southern Vice President – Mike Attema
Member Chapter: Ventura
Member Join Date: June 1984
Trucking Business Experience: I have 35 years owning and operating a transfer dump truck in the Ventura County area.
WSTA Chapter Position Held:
– Chapter Chair, 2012 – 2014
– Director, 2008 – 2012
WSTA State Position Held:
– None
How would you improve the Association: With the changes going on within the Association, I would be excited to be involved with any improvements in the future.
How would you improve the Industry: I think with less bureaucracy all industries will improve.
