Great West Fleet Executive Conference Panel discussion: Doing Business in the West

Time/place: 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 13, Titian Ballroom at the Venetian Resort; Lets meet at 1:30 pm in the speaker-ready room.

Panel description: Scott Blevins, president and CEO, Mountain Valley Express, Noel Massie, president UPS, Central California District and Paul Truman, president, Estenson Logistics and Truline Corporation will discuss how they are successfully meeting the operational, equipment and financial challenges of trucking west of I-25. Jeff Crissey, editor of CCJ will moderate this panel.

Overall theme: Adjusting businesses to compete and thrive in a market where economic and regulatory restrictions impact fleet profitability.

Order of events: 1. After Asmus keynote speech, panelists/moderator and Eric Sauer walk on stage. Sauer thanks Asmus and introduces panel discussion topic. Sauer then introduces panelists individually prior to opening statements/Powerpoints in the following order: Paul Truman, Truline Corp. Scott Blevins, Mountain Valley Express Noel Massie, UPS Central California District

2. Sauer introduces Jeff Crissey who will moderate session. 3. Crissey moderates panel discussion. 4. Linda Longton and Emily Larson lead audience Q&A from the floor

5. Crissey thanks panelists and Sauer, introduces break

Panel Questions: 1. Question for the panel- The recovery of California's economy as well as right here in Las Vegas has been slower than that of more areas of the country. What were some of the operational changes your businesses had to make in order to compensate? What do each of you see as some of the bright spots in your respective businesses?

2. Question for Scott and Noel- With the number of CARB-specific regulations that have been passed in the last few years, which one has been the most difficult for your companies to comply with?

3. Question for Scott- With all the regulations imposed on carriers doing business in California, how has the hard cost for equipment specing shaken out from an ROI standpoint?

4. Question for Paul- As a carrier based outside California, what are some of the disadvantages to your fleet operations to adequately spec trucks that may only run in the state for a period of time?

5. Question for the panel- The price of diesel, and gas for that matter, is significantly higher in California than most other states in the country. How do you work with shippers and brokers for compensation for the discrepancy?

6. Question for Noel- Alternative fuel optiond are taking hold especially in the West but until infrastructure is there to support it, it will remain a niche market. What are the prevailing engine and fuel technologies and when do you foresee UPS strongly adopting such technology? What advice would you give to other fleets considering alternative fuel vehicles for the first time?

7. Question for Scott and Paul- What will it take for your companies and other fleets to take a harder look at alternative fuels?

8. Question for the panel- How have CARB regulations affected the trade value of preCARB trucks?

9. Question for Paul and Noel- How have regulations affected the use of owner-operators going into California? How do they justify the cost of retrofitting equipment to comply or to swallow the price of new equipment?

10. Question for the panel- How has CARBs enforcement been administered, and what can industry do to make sure that enforcement is administered fairly to all carriers?

11. Question for Paul- You mentioned in our conference call about the litigious nature of doing business in California compared to other states you run in- care to elaborate?