Meeting/Event Information

As the U.S. Department of Transportation announces consequences for California’s failure to enforce English language requirements for truck drivers, the state’s trucking industry finds itself at a critical crossroads. Already burdened by some of the highest operating costs in the nation, aggressive emissions mandates, and Assembly Bill 5—which reclassified thousands of independent owner-operators as employees—California’s trucking sector has been pushed to the brink. The result has been a wave of bankruptcies, uncertainty surrounding diesel big-rig phaseout rules, rising shipping costs, and growing concern about disruptions to the supply chain that ultimately drive up prices for consumers.

Few people understand these challenges more intimately than Donna Pullan. For more than 25 years, her husband, Brent, has operated as an independent owner-operator, while Donna has managed the business behind the wheel—overseeing insurance, regulatory compliance, operational planning, and marketing. Through this hands-on experience, Donna has lived the realities behind the headlines: trucking firms going under, companies stuck in regulatory limbo, and policies that ripple far beyond the industry itself.

As a small business owner and founder of Legacy Photos and Stories, Donna brings a grounded, real-world perspective to today’s discussion. She will offer a practical overview of the current state of California’s trucking industry, explain why it is vital to the state’s economy, and highlight how policy decisions made in Sacramento and Washington ultimately affect every consumer who depends on goods moving safely and efficiently across California’s roads.

MENU:  Grilled salmon with mango papaya salsa. Vegetarian option: Pesto cheese tortellini with a creamy pesto sauce. Dessert: Brownie Delight with ice cream and chocolate sauce. Vegetarian request must be made at registration.