MCIEF Introduces MCIEF Teaching Fellows And Names Four New Thomas Ruke Fellows
Ft Myers, FL., October 14, 2022 – During the 10th Annual Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation (MCIEF) Conference in Orlando, October 5-7, 2022, MCIEF introduced MCIEF TEACHING FELLOWS. Two levels of recognition are now established to honor each of our MCIEF presenters who generously share their expertise with our students.
MCIEF FELLOWS are speakers who are bold examples of dedication, expertise and professionalism. All are involved in the same activity of truly giving to MCIEF as partners, companions and comrades. All MCIEF FELLOWS are granted special recognition and honor on behalf of MCIEF.
MCIEF Founder and Education Director Tommy Ruke deserves the most special recognition as the premier teacher of transportation Insurance issues. To honor Tommy and to recognize his most dedicated teaching fellows, MCIEF now awards the designation and honor of THOMAS RUKE FELLOW with lifetime rights to all MCIEF activities.
“The inaugural THOMAS RUKE FELLOW inductees represent a broad spectrum of enduring excellence and superior accomplishments from across the industry,” says Tommy Ruke, Founder & Education Director of MCIEF.
John Love, MCIEF Executive Director, added: “The impact of each THOMAS RUKE FELLOW is significant and far-reaching. Every recipient epitomizes the innovation and creativity worthy of our Foundation’s highest honor.”
“Our independent selection committee, which maintains the highest standards, is committed to thoughtfully and thoroughly vetting the candidates from across the industry,” says MCIEF Board of Directors Chairman and Vice President – Contract Underwriting of Nationwide E&S/Specialty, Gary Flaherty. “The 2022 inductees have positively impacted the industry in a multitude of ways and serve as exceptional role models for future leaders in the motor carrier insurance industry.”
On October 5th, 2022, the MCIEF Board of Directors unanimously selected four industry leaders to be the initial recipients of the THOMAS RUKE FELLOW designation. They are Bridgette Blitch, Shareholder of Blitch Westley Barrette, S.C.; Rob Moseley, Founding Partner of Moseley Marcinak Law Group LLP; Dan Murray, Senior Vice President of The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI); J.W. Taylor, Managing Member of Taylor Johnson.
Bridgette Blitch founded Blitch Westley Barrette with a passion to serve those in the supply chain. Since founding the firm, Bridgette has been a monthly speaker on the Dave Nemo Radio Show with her feature – Protecting Your Livelihood, where she discusses current legal events and best practices to confront risk in the transportation industry. As part of her practice, Bridgette regularly counsels motor carriers, shippers, brokers, warehouses, insurance agents, freight-forwarders, ocean transportation intermediaries, and insurance providers in matters related to the execution of transportation contracts, corporate matters, regulatory compliance issues, management-side employment law, coverage issues and insurance defense.
Rob Moseley’s entire practice has been focused on the transportation and logistics industry. He has tried more than 80 cases to jury verdict in federal and state courts and has decades of experience representing trucking companies, brokers, logistics companies and their insurance carriers in disputes involving: commercial transportation accidents, federal and state safety regulations, freight claims, insurance coverage disputes. For several insurance companies and regional and national motor carriers, Rob serves as national counsel managing active litigation in 20 to 30 states at any given time. Rob has developed a team of lawyers versed in the world of freight claims. The terms Carmack Amendment, Himalaya Clause, and on-hand notice are nothing new here. Rob has also obtained acclaim in pursuing cases for his collection of freight charges from shippers, including government agencies.
Daniel Murray has more than 26 years of experience in a broad range of transportation fields including trucking research and economics, transportation safety technologies and autonomous vehicles. As Senior Vice President for the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), Mr. Murray is responsible for managing ATRI’s transportation research, testing and evaluation activities, and he leads multiple national activities including the U.S. DOT-sponsored Freight Mobility Initiative. Prior to his employment with ATRI, Mr. Murray spent several years working in economic development for a Chicago business consortium and four years developing transit programs, policy and funding with the Regional Transit Board in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. He is actively involved in the National Academies’ Transportation Research Board as Vice Chair of the Trucking Research Committee, and presently sits on the Boards of the Freight Mobility Research Institute, Mid-America Transportation Center and the Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee.
J.W. Taylor is the founding member of the boutique transportation and logistics law firm, Taylor Johnson. Recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer and AV rated as a Preeminent Lawyer with Martindale-Hubbell, J.W. uses his industry experience to represent transportation and logistics companies in matters of claims litigation, including personal injury litigation and ADR, cargo claims and contract disputes. In addition to litigation, J.W. is skilled in corporate restructuring, insurance design, equipment financing and risk management matters. A frequent speaker on matters concerning the transportation and logistics industry, J.W. is a member of MCIEF, Transportation Lawyers Association (TLA), Transportation & Logistics Council (TLC), Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) and sat on the Florida Trucking Association (FTA) Board of Directors from 2019-2022. Currently, J.W. serves on the Public Policy Committee and Membership Recruitment Committee of the FTA as well as the Polk State Corporate College, Supply Chain Management & Logistics Advisory Board.
The Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation (MCIEF) is an organization dedicated to providing education to insurance professionals regarding the transportation industry. The curriculum focuses on the operation, government oversight, risk management and insurance needs of the transportation industry. The information includes the importance of government established financial responsibility and operating requirements. Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation membership is open to retail and wholesale agencies, companies and vendors related to the motor carrier industry. MCIEF has not-for-profit 501(c)(6) status.