Autocar, LLC, manufacturer of North America’s first specialized, severe-duty vocational truck, honors the life and legacy of Charles “Mickey” Flood by donating a custom engineered, full-bodied severe-duty Class 8 DC-64R to the 2021 Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) Annual Charitable Auction. Proceeds from the auction will support the EREF’s scientific and educational initiatives for waste management practices. The winning bidder will work with Autocar’s engineers to design their new DC-64R Refuse Truck to their specifications.
“As a longtime member of Autocar’s advisory board and a large proponent of shaping our business into a company that recognizes the importance of environmental endeavors, Mickey helped us establish a lot of the values we stand for when we make our sustainable trucks. We’re celebrating a member of our team we will dearly miss by supporting the EREF’s continued contributions to improving the solid waste industry,” says Jimmy Johnston, president of Autocar. “Such a leader in the industry deserves nothing short of Autocar’s BADASS DC-64R. We’re excited to honor our friend Mickey’s behalf and help continue the solid waste research and education efforts he so strongly believed in.”
HONORING HIS LEGACY
Autocar is honored to have received Flood’s mentorship on its advisory board from 2013 to his passing in May. Furthermore, the non-hazardous solid waste management industry is what it is today thanks to Flood’s 40 years of experience. Some highlights from Flood’s career include:
- Founder of the IESI Corporation, the third-largest non-hazardous solid waste management company in North America
- Vice-chairman and director of IESI-BFC
- President and CEO of IESI from 1995-2004
- Group president of Waste Management from 1989-1994
- Inducted into the National Recycling and Solid Waste Industry’s Hall of Fame in 2008
THE DEC-64R
Autocar assembles the DC-64R conventional truck for severe-duty refuse applications in Birmingham, Alabama. As all DC-64R trucks do, the Mickey Flood Tribute Truck comes standard with a Cummins engine. The spacious and functional cab fits three and features ample foot, leg, hip, elbow, and shoulder room. It also features a fully adjustable seat and steering column. But what truly sets it apart in the industrial truck market is the vehicle’s BADASS strength, durability, and safety attributes. The DC-64R is the first truck ever built to feature ultra-high-strength 160,000 PSI steel frame rails, 24% stronger and lighter than other trucks in the market.
Autocar partners with body manufacturers for body installation, pre-engineering chassis layout, and pre-wiring components that enable seamless body integration. As a result, this process increases the truck’s reliability and uptime; it also offers a lower total cost of ownership for the life of the truck. The Mickey Flood Tribute Truck is equipped with a Galfab roll-off hoist and Pioneer tarping system.
EREF
The EREF’s mission is to fund and direct scientific research and educational initiatives for waste management practices. The goal is to benefit industry participants and the communities they serve. For over 25 years, the generous donations and support of EREF’s Annual Charitable Auction, programs, and other events have helped the foundation become one of the largest funding sources for solid waste research in North America. Since 1994, the auction has raised more than $24 million to further support EREF’s mission.
EREF’s Annual Charitable Auction is open from June 16 to 30. To participate, text “EREFAuction21” to 76278, click the blue link to register and enter bids on available items.
Finally, the Mickey Flood Tribute Truck, the Autocar DC-64R Refuse Truck, will be on display at the WasteExpo in Las Vegas from June 28 to 30, adjacent to the EREF booth. Additionally, WasteExpo attendees are encouraged to honor Flood’s legacy by recording their memories in a tribute book set up at the booth.
“Autocar is grateful to have worked with Mickey Flood for so long and is excited for his legacy to live on through the Mickey Flood Tribute Truck and support of the EREF’s noteworthy contributions to the future of the industry,” says Autocar president Jim Johnston, who will be a featured speaker discussing low carbon fuel solutions at the WasteExpo on Wednesday, June 30 from 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. in room N227.
Find out more about EREF’s Annual Charitable Auction and details on placing bids, visit www.erefdn.org. Find out more about Autocar, LLC, visit www.autocartruck.com.
