About Us
Protecting families for more than 150 years.
From the beginning, over 150 years ago, our great Fraternal Benefit Society has served the unique needs of the transportation industry and its related crafts. We are proud of our long history and consistently strive to improve our member benefits while at the same time, seek out opportunities to help the communities where we live. UTUIA has experienced many changes in its long and honorable history, but what has never changed is our commitment to the members we serve.
Let us protect your family, today.
Take the first step to protecting yourself, your family and your way of life.
The Future is Bright with UTUIA
From its roots of fraternalism, UTUIA has evolved to provide a variety of insurance and financial products to meet member’s needs. Today, Individuals who are of good moral character who are directly or indirectly engaged in the transportation Industry, or in one or more other crafts of hazardous occupations in the same or similar line of business are eligible for membership.
Mission Statement
To provide innovative fraternal and insurance benefits based on the longstanding commitment to, and understanding of, the unique needs of the members of the transportation industry and its related crafts, with the goal of protecting the financial security of our members and their families..
Vision Statement
To become a modern, dynamic and sustainable Association which consistently seeks to improve the Fraternal and insurance benefits afforded members while maintaining its connection and loyalty to the transportation community and the membership thereof.
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News, Stories, & Announcements
UTUIA – SMART TD – TD Auxiliary Hurricane Relief
September 2024
In September, Western North Carolina was devastated by the effects of Hurricane Helene. This event caused unprecedented damage to homes, businesses and vital infrastructure. Many lives were lost and many more families found themselves with little more than the clothes on their backs.
In response to this horrific event, UTUIA generously donated $5,000.00 to the SMART TD Disaster Relief Fund to benefit our members and fellow brothers and sisters in need. In addition, UTUIA donated $2,000.00 to the SMART TD Auxiliary for the purpose of providing much needed coats and gloves for the children affected by the storm. “We hope that the funds provided will provide some comfort to those affected by Hurricane Helene. UTUIA has stood by it’s members since 1868 and we will continue to be there for our members when and where we are needed” said UTUIA President Ken Laugel.
14th Quadrennial UTUIA Grand Convention Summary
UTUIA Delegates and Board of Directors gathered in Cleveland Ohio for the 14th quadrennial Grand Convention. All Board Nominees joined the Delegates during a reception on the evening of September 19th where delegates had an opportunity to interact with the Nominees, Officers, and current Board members.
The Convention agenda began with a report to the Delegates given by UTUIA President Ken Laugel in which he outlined the accomplishments and challenges, particularly during the Covid Pandemic years and shared a vision for moving the Association forward. A key component included Scholarship payments over $1.2 million dollars between Conventions and a Memorial Scholarship fund of approximately $235,000 for the children of members who died while performing the duties of their job. The appropriate management of the Association and increased attention to financial stewardship resulted in increased financial stability during the past four years reinforcing the value of the Independent Governance and Audit Committee to the Association.
Leo Hannah, H2R CPAs independent auditor, reinforced the Associations excellent Surplus position and outstanding solvency ratio. He added, the technology improvements made over the past eight years, reduced administrative expenses, and attention to the investment portfolio have led to an improvement of UTUIA’S financial position.
Jeremy Ferguson, Chairman of the Board who officiated the proceedings, spoke on the value UTUIA brings to the membership, the importance of our common bond, and the need for the membership to be insured properly.
Prior to the financial report, the election of the Board of Directors was conducted. The Non-Independent and Independent nominees were elected with no opposition. Chairman Ferguson acknowledged and thanked exiting members for their service to the Association and membership.
UTUIA Secretary and Treasurer Jeffery Becker presented an overview of the financial statements for the four preceding years before the Convention. He reported annuity disbursements represented 83% of the change in reserves, general and administrative expenses declined 19%, and Surplus increased $8,952,141, or 15.4%.
No further business was brought to the floor and Chairman Ferguson declared the 14th quadrennial Grand Convention closed.
New Regional Insurance Manager for the Southwest Territory Chris Christianson
In Memoriam – Richard A Kusnic Sr
“Rick will be greatly missed. He was dedicated to serving our members with honesty and fairness in all that he did. It’s a standard that we hold dear at UTUIA and one which Rick practiced in both his professional and personal life.“
Kenneth Laugel, UTUIA President
UTUIA Board of Director Richard Allan Kusnic, Sr., 69, of North Ridgeville, Ohio passed away peacefully on April 10, 2023. He was born on May 23, 1953 in Youngstown, Ohio to the late Paul L. Kusnic Sr. and Mary Kusnic (nee Margala). Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Paul Kusnic Jr.. Richard will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 40 years, Coleen Kusnic; loving father of Brian Kusnic; dear brother of Patti Nerone; and loving uncle and friend to many.
Visitation and memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Sunset Funeral Chapel, 6245 Columbia Road, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070 10-11am visitation and 11am service. The family request in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Richard’s honor to the: Thomas P Perciak, Southwest Family Residential Hospice, 18659 Drake Road, Strongsville, Ohio 44136.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Richard Allan Kusnic Sr. please visit our Sympathy Store.
Richard A Kusnic Sr – Obituary
Hurricane Ian
Brothers and Sisters in the hurricane affected areas of Florida,
Please know that the UTUIA stands with you in these dire times. If you have been affected by this disaster and need assistance, please reach out at your convenience. For over 154 years, UTUIA has stood with our Brothers and Sisters. In good times and bad, we are steadfastly dedicated to protecting our members.
Fraternally,
Kenneth Laugel
UTUIA President
Hurricane Florence UTUIA Relief Efforts
In the wake of Hurricane Florence and the resulting wide-spread flooding, UTUIA Regional Insurance Manager Chris Fly along with members of Local 1106 of Rocky Mount, brought items of necessity to Chris’ house in Nashville, North Carolina where they loaded up his 24-foot trailer to distribute to those in need. Chris and his wife Angela traveled to local businesses and individual homes to pick up donations, food, water, clothes, pillows, blankets, cleaning supplies and hygiene items. The ending destination was Kelly, North Carolina at Old CaneTuck Store, just outside of Wilmington, NC where the community saw the brunt of the storm.
Three different churches in the Rocky Mount area provided the volunteer manpower to help propel this relief effort. A convoy of approximately twelve vehicles and Chris’ trailer were on their way loaded with much needed items to distribute to the community at large.
There were at least 300 needy hurricane and flood victims that showed up to the event. Volunteers from the community, some of which had lost their own homes to water damage, still assisted in the unloading, organizing and distribution of the items. Chris, his wife and other members of Local 1106 held a lunch at the staging area where they fed the members of the community that gave their time and effort to the cause. The UTUIA helped to fund part of these efforts.
“Thank you to everyone that assisted in these efforts”, said Chris Fly in a letter to UTUIA Home Office, “whether monetarily, by prayer or boots on the ground, this was an ultimate display of strangers coming together in unity to take care of our fellow Brothers and Sisters”, he added.
“It’s in moments like these that all men and women become our brothers and sisters and we are very proud of Chris and Angela’s charitable efforts” said UTUIA President Ken Laugel.
On the early morning hours of September 14th, Hurricane Florence made landfall just south of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. The damage was widespread with reports of major flooding and power outages throughout the North Carolina area.
Today, UTUIA has announce that they have donated $5,000 to the SMART TD Disaster Relief Fund in response to the damage of Hurricane Florence.
“As many Brothers and Sisters of the UTUIA have been affected by the devastating flooding in the Carolinas, the Officers and Staff of the UTUIA have forwarded a donation of $5,000.00 to be used to ease the pain and financial burden placed on those who are attempting to recover from this disaster” said UTUIA President Ken Laugel.
“We are standing by our Brothers and Sisters in need with this donation and will continue our efforts to assist in any way we can”, Laugel continued “It is apparent that the losses from this event will have lasting effects on the victims moving forward ” he added.
If you would like to help in the relief, contributions may be sent to:
SMART TD Disaster Relief Fund
Suite 340
24950 Country Club Blvd
North Olmsted, Ohio 44070-5333
13th Quadrennial UTUIA Grand Convention
Cleveland OH- The 13th Quadrennial UTUIA Grand Convention convened on July 18th at the Hilton Downtown in Cleveland Ohio. The Convention began at 9:30 am and concluded before 12 pm. The delegates participated in a democratic voting process utilizing secret ballots to elect the Board of Directors that will oversee the governance of UTUIA for the next four years. Each candidate had their turn at the microphone to espouse their qualifications and interest in the position. When the voting was concluded, the following candidates were elected to serve on the Board of Directors for UTUIA:
Jeremy Ferguson
Troy Johnson
Doyle Turner
Greg Hynes
William Harrington
Nick DiCicco Jr.
Rick Kusnic
Pat Sullivan
“We would like to congratulate the new Directors on their elections and thank our former Directors for their service to the UTUIA and its membership. We look forward to working together in our quest for continued growth and financial stewardship for the Association” said President Laugel.
Autism Event
Cleveland, Ohio – Kathryn Seegmiller, International President of the SMART TD Auxiliary, along with her children and Marilyn Spangler, Fraternal Operations Coordinator of UTUIA, joined together for the Autism Speaks Walk in Downtown Cleveland. The event was held at The Great Lakes Science Center along the North Shore of Lake Erie. A grand total of $256,555 was raised in total at the Cleveland walk. This was Kathryn, Marilyn and their families 3rd year walking together. Their family personally raised $560.60 and UTUIA matched their efforts. We thank Kathryn, Marilyn and their families for their involvement, year after year.
Recent Town Hall and Informational Rally
Kansas City, MO – UTUIA President Ken Laugel joined SMART TD President Jeremy Ferguson and SMART General President Joe Sellers along with SMART/UTUIA Regional Insurance Manager Charles Skidmore at a recent Town Hall meeting and informational rally in Kansas City. SMART members met up in solidarity to show support for their fellow Brothers and Sisters as they were given two days notice prior to being furloughed.
“It was an honor to be able to show our support for our Brothers and Sisters as they struggle with the closing of UP’s Neff Yard” said President Laugel at the event.
