Mark Fishel, owner of Vandeventer Truck Sales, was named the winner of the UTA Marvin F. Gordon Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Used Truck Association (UTA) Convention Thursday at the Marriott Marquis in San Diego.
Fishel has lived his whole life in trucking, and in accepting his award Thursday spoke about how proud he is to be associated with the used truck business. The third generation to lead his family’s company, Fishel thanked the past generations of his family who laid down their roots in the business, as well as his parents, wife, children and other family members that remain committed to the industry after nearly 100 years.
“I was humbled and honored to receive the nomination [for the award] and I’m almost speechless to accept it,” Fishel said Thursday. “This is a pinnacle of my career.”
Fishel also thanked the UTA as well as several past and present members and prior award winners for their encouragement to become involved in the industry. Fishel said it was their support that gave him the confidence to step up, and he looks forward to continuing to engage with the association in the years ahead to keep pushing the industry to greatness.
“There are a multitude of [UTA] members deserving of this and I accept it with honor and a commitment to support UTA in present and future endeavors,” he said.
Fishel also congratulated fellow nominees Jason Cluck and Tim Berkley on their recognition and continued success, and encouraged all in attendance to remain committed to the UTA.
“We need the UTA today more than ever,” he said. “We’re all in the same boat and all our ships must go in the same direction.”
UTA also announced its individual members of the year awards Thursday. Winners were:
- OEM Dealer of the Year – Allen Croft, CSM Companies
- Non-OEM Dealer of the Year – Benji Pavelka, J&B Truck & Trailer Sales
- Vendor of the Year – Katrina Faulkner, SOARR
