Transplace's Abernathy Named 2009 TMCA Transportation Marketing Executive of the Year

(MINNEAPOLIS)- The Transportation Marketing & Communications Association (TMCA) recently announced that George Abernathy, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Transplace was named the 2009 TMCA Transportation Marketing Executive of the Year. This honor was awarded June 2 at TMCA's Annual Conference in San Diego, Calif.

Abernathy is an accomplished logistics and supply chain executive with more than 25 years of industry experience at both traditional and technology-based, transportation-focused providers. Before joining Transplace, he held positions of senior vice president at NTE and Clicklogistics, and vice president of sales & marketing at Logistics.com. He also held senior management positions at The Sabre Group, North American Van Lines, J.B. Hunt Transport, and LinkMark International.

When Abernathy joined Transplace in 2004, he immediately spearheaded a rebranding effort that updated its corporate image and, over the next two years began leading the sales team in a growth of new sales by 20 percent. More recently, he has led strategic initiates and event-based marketing to develop relationships and rapport with Transplace customers.

I am deeply honored to receive the Marketing Executive of the Year award from TMCA, said Abernathy. It's wonderful to have acknowledgement for the success of the annual Shipper Symposium, the recruitment and retention of a strong team leaders in Sales, Marketing and Operations, and the value provided through our relationship with the Transplace Customer Advisory Board. The marketing and communications from Transplace is a true reflection of our company, our third-party logistics success and our award-winning technology.

Marketing is an important function at Transplace. It's necessary to have a strong company brand that supports our sales efforts, strengthen operations relationships, and generate leads for future growth, said Tom Sanderson, chairman & CEO of Transplace.

Abernathy joins a circle of distinguished alumni who have demonstrated the highest principles and marketing effectiveness in the industry. Past recipients include Tammy Beil, vice president of marketing for FedEx Freight in 2008; Mike Russell, vice president for public affairs and press secretary for the American Trucking Associations posthumously in 2007; Chuck Lounsbury, formerly senior vice president of strategy, marketing and acquisitions for Ryder in 2006; Dick Metzler, formerly executive vice president of DHL Express in 2005; and Greg Reid, formerly senior vice president and chief communications officer of Yellow Corp. in 2003. For more information on TMCA and its awards programs, visit www.TMCAtoday.org or call 952-442-5638, ext. 208.