ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- James J. Goetz, president of Goetz Cos. Inc., has taken over as truckstop and travel center association NATSOs chairperson in 2006, replacing Roger Cole, NATSOs 2004 and 2005 chair.
Goetz Cos. owns a Petro Travel Plaza in Portage, Wis. Goetz has been a NATSO member for 20 years. During that time he has served on various committees, the board and the executive committee. He has been chair of the education committee and the information and research committee, and has served on the nominating committee, conventions committee and budget [image-nocss] and audit committee.
Goetzs ascension to chair will mark the second time NATSO has elected a second-generation chairman. His father, James B. Goetz, led NATSO in 1997 and 2002. Cole said the Goetz familys involvement says a lot about the nature of the truckstop industry. Even though there has been a shift away from individuals and entrepreneurship, there are still family businesses out there. NATSO have always seen themselves as a big family, and it has been great to see that family extend to its leadership,VbCrLf he said.
Some 20 years in the truckstop industry have allowed Goetz to see a multitude of changes occur. But what doesnt change is the fact that our customers still appreciate quality service, cleanliness and friendliness,VbCrLf Goetz said. He added that the unique opportunity truckstop operators have to get to know their customers drew him to the business. Our customers are living little segments of their lives in our truckstops and travel plazas. If you enjoy contact with people, this is a fantastic industry to nurture that,VbCrLf he said.
Cole, president of Highway Service Ventures Inc., will continue to serve on NATSOs 2006 executive committee as chairman of the steering council. Lisa Mullings will continue serving as the associations president and CEO.
Other members of the 2006 executive committee include:
Secretary/treasurer: Jimmy Haslam, Pilot Travel Centers LLC. At large officer: Ed Kuhn, Travel Centers of America. At large officer: Ed Flynn, Flynns Truck Plaza.NATSOs 2006 board includes:
Chuck Bosselman, Bosselman Inc. Ernie Brame, Kenly 95 TA Truck Stop. James A. Cardwell Jr., Petro Stopping Centers. Frank Love, Loves Travel Stops Inc. Pat Marchbanks, Bear Mountain Travel Stop. Chet Reilly, Broadway Truck Stops. F. Mike Reilly, Randall-Reilly Trucking Media. Danny Schatz, Fargo/Petro Stopping Center. Billy G. Vollenweider, Detroiter Travel Center. Kirk Williams, Legacy Restaurant Group.Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.