Safety Management Council

The Safety Management Council (SMC) consists of fleet safety personnel. The council sponsors a variety of activities to educate its members about new developments in safety and encourages professional driving to promote a better public image for the trucking industry.

SMC Officers

Kenny Ray, Chairman
Marsh McLennan Agencies - kenny.ray@marshmma.com

Rachel Anderson, 1st Vice Chairwoman 
H-E-B - anderson.rachel@heb.com

Henry Vargas, 2nd Vice Chairman 
Excargo Services - hvargas@excargo.com

David Serach, 3rd Vice Chairman 
Chalk Mountain Services of Texas, LLC - dserach@cmstx.com

Dylon Clark, Secretary/Treasurer
Palletized Trucking Inc. - dylonc@palletized-trucking.com 

SMC/FMC SeminarS

2026 SMC/FMC Fall Seminar Wrap Up 

This fall, SMC and FMC came together for the 2026 Fall Seminar, held September 23-25 in San Marcos, TX. The three-day event brought fleet safety and maintenance professionals together for education, networking, regulatory updates and industry best practices. Attendees also enjoyed the annual SMC/FMC Golf Scramble, Opening Night Welcome Reception and Awards Dinner and Casino Night Social. See the session topics below. Click on the highlighted text to download a PDF version of the presentation. 

• The Dangers of Ruts
• OSHA’s 2026 Top Ten
• Texas DPS Roadside Inspections
• Leading Before the Incident
• Engines 2027 Panel
• FMCSA Updates
• Fluid Analysis
• Local Council Updates
• The Importance of Technician Training Panel
• Updates to MCC Credentialing System
• Motor Carrier Prep Post-Montgomery Panel

New this year, SMC and FMC award winners were recognized at the TXTA Annual Conference in July rather than during the annual Fall Seminar. However, winners were presented with their award jackets and rings in recognition of their achievements on September 24 during the Awards Dinner. We also celebrated the four newest TXTA Certified Practitioner Level Certifications for Alexis Flores (TNT Crane & Rigging), Michael Christian (Sunburst Truck Lines), Michaela Clement (CHEP USA)  and Paul Olivarez (Aggregate Haulers I LP). 

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Exhibitors!  

2026 SMC/FMC Spring Seminar Wrap Up 

Following the success of the combined fall meeting in 2025, SMC and FMC once again hosted a joint seminar focused on compliance, crash prevention, regulatory updates and operational best practices. This time the seminar was held from March 25-27, 2026 in Waco, TX with almost 140 attendees. Session topics included:

• Policy and Politics for 2026
• Back to the Basics: Safety 101
• Back to the Basics: Intrastate vs. Interstate
• What I Learned from Suing a Trucking Company
• Texas DPS Safety Update
• Back to the Basics: CVE Officer/Driver Crash Investigation Dynamics
• Back to the Basics: New to Safety Concerns and Issues
• Joint FMC & SMC Panel: Next Level Compliance

Congratulations to Rachel Anderson of H-E-B for earning Director Level Certification, as well as Todd Phillips of TNT Crane & Rigging for achieving Director Level Certification and Jennifer Galeas of TNT Crane & Rigging for earning Practitioner Level Certification. 

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Exhibitors!  

2025 SMC/FMC Fall Seminar Wrap Up 

The TXTA Safety Management Council and the Fleet Maintenance Council held their joint Fall Seminar in San Marcos from October 1-3, 2025.  General sessions and break-out sessions were held on both safety and maintenance related topics. Sessions included: 

• State of the Industry: Legislative & Regulatory Updates 
• DPS Update & Out-of-Service Criteria: Key Takeaways for Trucking Safety
• Next-Level Compliance: Strategies for Staying Ahead in the Trucking Industry 
• Werner v Blake, HB-19: Practical Takeaways for Trucking Companies 
• A Winning Combination: Integrating Safety & Maintenance Program for Success 
• Navigating the Future of Medical & Regulatory Compliance in Trucking 
• Truck Specifications 
• Understanding the Crash Form – Commercial Vehicles: Part 1 & 2 
• DOT Maintenance Compliance: What You Need to Know 
• Oil Analysis & New Oil
• Tire Analysis 

During the luncheon, Corey Tegeler of Old Dominion Freight Line was presented with his Technician of the Year ring, while David Serach of Chalk Mountain Services of Texas received his Distinguished Safety Award jacket and ring. The evening SMC/FMC Awards Dinner further celebrated excellence across the councils, recognizing professionals who exemplify safety, leadership, and innovation in the trucking industry.

SMC/FMC Award Winners
FMC Leadership Award: Brandon Flaming, Southwest International Trucks
Distinguished Award for Excellence in Maintenance: Bryant Hendricks, Stevens Transport
Driver of the Year: Roy Gilleland, Old Dominion Freight Line
C.H. Cheshire Safety Award: Belinda Garcia, TxDPS (Retired)
SMC Excellence in Service Award: Gary Babbitt, CFDS and Gary Babbitt Consulting 
Pathfinder Award Recipients: Lonnie Bennett, Steve Blake, Dennis Bonner, Ed Brady, Gene Davis, Tom Hartman, Mike Honeycutt, Richard Miyauchi, David Powell, Lance Shillingburg and Scott Sullins

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Exhibitors!  

Safety Council Chapter Meetings

Dallas/Fort Worth Council of Safety Professionals
Kenny Ray, Chairman
Meets Monthly on 2nd Tuesday, Spring Creek BBQ in Irving, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

East Texas Council for Trucking Professionals
Micah Rodgers, Chairman

Meets Quarterly on 2nd Tuesday (January/April/July/October), Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler, 11:30 a.m.

Houston Council of Safety Professionals
Rhianna Stepp, Chairwoman
Meets Monthly on 2nd Friday, The Silver Sycamore - 5111 Pine Ave, Pasadena, TX, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Council of Safety Professionals San Antonio Region
Roland Gonzales, Chairman
Meets Monthly on Last Tuesday, Salt Grass Steakhouse in San Antonio, 11:45 a.m.

History

In 1953, member companies of Texas Motor Transportation Association (TMTA), now Texas Trucking Association (TXTA), created the TMTA Texas Council of Safety Supervisors, now TXTA Safety Management Council (SMC), as a cooperative effort to develop industry standards in safety education, driver development, image enhancement, loss prevention and other topics to strengthen quality performance within the industry. Strong safety networking was established between carrier members and participants within the council. In addition to education sessions, action programs were created that fostered cooperative work efforts among council members who worked together with the compliance enforcement bodies on projects designed to promote compliance, reduce losses, improve quality and safety, as well as enhance the public image of the trucking industry.

Award Programs

SMC recognizes council members, law enforcement officers, companies, drivers and technicians through a variety of awards and contests. These programs reward individuals who go above and beyond to promote safety and professionalism, as well as exemplify a strong dedication to the trucking industry. SMC awards and competitions include the Distinguished Safety Award, Excellence in Service Award, TXTA Driver of the Year, Truck Driving Championships, Truck Safety Award and C.H. Cheshire Award.