NATM Convention & Trade Show: 2026 Award Winners
Santhosh Kumar Loganathan of Triple Crown & Down to Earth Trailers Honored with 2026 Outstanding Young Professional Award At NATM Convention & Trade Show
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is proud to announce that Santhosh Kumar Loganathan has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Outstanding Young Professional Award. This award recognizes the remarkable achievements of young professionals in the trailer manufacturing industry and, this year, celebrates Santhosh's dedication and contributions to the field.
Santhosh is the Engineering Director at Triple Crown and Down to Earth Trailers. As Engineering Director, he has played a central role in launching new manufacturing capabilities, scaling production operations, and establishing standardized engineering, quality, and safety frameworks that have been adopted across multiple facilities.
Santhosh has led the deployment of automation-driven manufacturing processes, digital work instructions, and compliance-focused engineering standards, resulting in measurable improvements in production efficiency, structural integrity, and safety performance. In his role, Santhosh integrates data-driven analysis and systems-level engineering methods, which enable safer, lighter, and more reliable trailer designs while maintaining regulatory and industry compliance.
Beyond his operational leadership, Santhosh is actively engaged in advancing the industry and developing the workforce. He mentors engineers and technicians, develops structured training programs aligned with national safety and quality standards, and contributes technical publications to leading industry platforms. His efforts help translate advanced engineering principles into scalable manufacturing practices, strengthening the technical foundation and safety culture of the trailer manufacturing industry.
NATM Honors Nathan Uphus of Felling Trailers with the Renowned Ed Freel Membership Award
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is proud to announce that Nathan Uphus has been named one of two recipients of this year’s esteemed Ed Freel Membership Award. Established in 2000 to honor members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to recruiting new members, the award was renamed in 2007 in recognition of Ed Freel's outstanding contributions to the organization.
Through his work at Felling, Nathan leads market expansion initiatives, develops strategic sales programs, and builds high-value partnerships across national fleet, dealer, and government segments. Nathan has advanced through a wide range of roles at Felling, from production and logistics to regional territory management, and ultimately to overseeing sales strategy and leadership. His tenure has been marked by the successful growth of the dealer network, the development of fleet accounts, and the implementation of modern sales tools and performance systems.
Nathan is equally dedicated to serving the industry. In addition to serving as NATM’s Board Vice President and on multiple committees, Nathan was integral in ensuring the success of the inaugural 2025 Trailer Expo. Nathan assisted with logistics to get exhibitor trailers on the trade show floor and even hopped in a forklift to ensure other exhibitors’ trailers were handled with the utmost care. Nathan truly puts the industry first and is driven by integrity, mentorship, and strong relationships. He continues to help elevate the industry through leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to progress.
NATM Honors Eli Hernandez with Ed Freel Membership Award
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is proud to announce that Eli Hernandez, the CEO of Texline Trailers, is one of two recipients of the prestigious Ed Freel Membership Award. This honor recognizes Eli's unwavering dedication to the association and his significant contributions to the trailer manufacturing industry.
Eli Hernandez, the CEO of Texline Trailers, is a family-owned manufacturer with more than four decades in the trailer industry and is currently transitioning into its third generation with his family.
Since joining NATM, Eli has been on a deliberate quest to build a strong internal culture while helping raise standards across the industry as a whole. He is widely respected for his attention to detail, collaborative leadership style, and belief that production volume should never dictate the level of quality a product is built under. His work reflects a long-term commitment to craftsmanship, accountability, and elevating expectations for manufacturers, dealers, and customers alike.
Eli aims to avoid pitfalls by focusing on durability, integrity, and affordability with practical improvements. His relationship-driven approach prioritizes genuine partnerships with dealers and OEMs, fostering collaboration, trust, and support. Eli exemplifies the future of manufacturing leadership through his principled, innovative, and relationship-oriented methods.
NATM Announces Mahli Wold as the 2026 Recipient of the Pam O’Toole Trusdale Woman in Manufacturing Award
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is proud to announce Mahli Wold of Central Trailer Sales as the recipient of the distinguished Pam O’Toole Trusdale Woman in Manufacturing Award for 2026. This award honors the significant contributions of women in the manufacturing industry, highlighting their achievements and promoting the importance of diversity within the field.
Mahli specializes in digital sales and promotions for Central Trailer Sales. Since joining the company, she’s helped grow Central Trailer Sales’ presence online and in their local community. Mahli believes in building real relationships with customers and supporting the people and businesses that make up the community Central Trailer Sales serves.
Mahli also made a huge contribution to the industry and trailer safety in her community by organizing and spearheading Central Trailer Sales first in person Trailer Safety Week event in Minnesota at their company headquarters. Mahli coordinated with NATM’s Technical Director, Scott Crimmins, and the Minnesota State Highway Patrol to host a safety panel for attendees to learn more about Trailer Safety. Mahli’s willingness to help sets her apart and exemplifies her willingness to build and support her community.
NATM Honors MonDak Portables with 2026 Innovation Award for Sustainability Excellence
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) proudly announces MonDak Portables as the recipient of the prestigious 2026 NATM Innovation Award. This recognition highlights MonDak's remarkable contributions to technological advancement, green practices, and workforce development within the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. MonDak builds clean-water trailers designed to provide safe, potable water in remote or emergency situations. Their trailers are equipped with advanced filtration systems, high-capacity tanks, and multiple dispensing points.
Accepting this award on behalf of MonDak is Rick Rogers. Rick is a respected leader in the industry, with a career spanning more than three decades across construction, manufacturing, and portable solutions. Rick is the General Manager of Mondak Portables, a role he has held since 2008. Rick has played a critical role in shaping the company’s growth, operational excellence, and reputation for forward-thinking solutions within the trailer and portable services industry.
At MonDak Portables, Rick oversees multi-state operations, including manufacturing, logistics, and service divisions across North Dakota, Indiana, and Montana. He leads teams across office management, dispatch, fleet, and fabrication, while setting policies, managing budgets, and driving strategic growth initiatives. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding capabilities, improving efficiencies, and delivering innovative, customer-focused solutions to the industry.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rick is a longtime community-minded leader. He proudly served in the North Dakota National Guard for 13 years and continues to hold multiple industry certifications and licenses. Known for his steady leadership, problem-solving mindset, and commitment to excellence, Rick Rogers exemplifies the spirit of innovation through both action and impact.