RTF recently welcomed Tranzliquid Logistics’ Greg Pert as its new board Chair. 
Pert has been in the road transport industry for 38 years, first working for Dale Freightways and then going on to be an owner-driver….and eventually running his own fleet. 
Today Tranzliquid Logistics has a fleet of 42 trucks delivering fuel or fuel-related products, mainly in the North Island, servicing all oil companies. It remains family owned, with both Greg’s partner Jackie and son Gareth heavily involved.
Greg is also a board member of the National Road Carriers Association, a member of the Petroleum Industry Transport Safety Forum (PITSF), and a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
“For me, to be chosen as the chair of the RTF board by your industry peers is an honour and I am happy to accept this new challenge,” says Pert. 
“My plan is to respect, listen to, help and appreciate all those in the road freight transport industry.
“I believe that standards, culture, and core values remain integral in all aspects of business operations.”
Greg takes over from Neil Reid,  who served six years as Chair and now steps back – albeit only slightly, as he still maintains a place at the board table.
Says Pert: “It is fair to say I have some pretty big shoes to fill. Neil has led the board in a really well-considered and thoughtful manner. He’s a guy with a great deal of experience and wisdom, and he’s quite a deep thinker in many ways. I am sure I will lean on him for plenty of advice as I get comfortable in the role.
“Having already spent five years on the RTF board I have had a pretty good apprenticeship and have a good idea where RTF’s strengths lie and how we can get the best out of our current industry structure. 
“There is a tremendous amount of expertise on the board and in the organisation, as well as across all of our associations. It is really important that we get the best out of the resources we have and are all pulling in the same direction. 
“Like the rest of the economy, things are likely to be a bit tough for transporters over the next few years so we must make sure we are in a position to get the best possible outcomes for our industry,” says Pert.
“The transport and logistics sectors are often the first to feel the impacts of economic fluctuations, as illustrated by one of our major banks using the Truckometer as a key judge for economic activity. 
“It is also true that pretty much everything spends time on the back of a truck at some point of the supply chain. This makes it all the more important for Government to create the right regulatory and business environment not only to do our job, but to help lubricate NZ’s economic recovery as well.
“While road transport is a naturally self-reliant industry, we cannot operate in isolation. It remains important that RTF works closely with all levels of Government because we have some serious challenges ahead that will take a coordinated public-private approach to get on top of.
“New and improved roads are vital, as is the maintenance of existing critical routes such as Napier to Taupo. It often goes unsaid, but improvements to the provision of public transport in our cities will make a big difference to freeing up congestion, which in turn will help economic and freight efficiency,” Pert says.
“We know that road transport responds better in a crisis than probably any other part of the economy. Much of that comes down to our hard-working and resilient people, who are our greatest asset. It is also critical that we continue to work to invest in them.” 
Pert is really encouraged by the support that RTF and the industry already have from government when it comes to initiatives to support the recruitment of new people into our industry. 
“I am really keen to help (RTF chief executive) Nick (Leggett) and his team lead the development of our future workforce because that is the key to the longterm health of trucking in NZ. 
“With the newly developed Te ara ki tua Road to Success programme we want to continue to build on the work we have already done with government and across the industry.”
The path ahead may look a bit rockier than it did six months ago, but with an optimist like Greg Pert at the helm you can be sure that RTF is already working towards a brighter future.
The current RTF Board is:
• Greg Pert (Chair)
• Neil Reid
• Mark Purdue
• Don Wilson 
• Deborah O’Brien
• Ken Winsloe
• Steve Doughty
• Sean Rooney
• Warwick Wilshier