Butler County truck industry leader receives award
The Pennsylvania Automotive Association recently honored Robert Hunter, former president of Hunter Truck, with the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award pays homage to individuals who have dedicated their lives to championing the automotive and heavy-duty truck industries in Pennsylvania and who are continuing its tradition of excellence.
The award was presented Dec. 2.
Hunter has been involved in the industry since he joined his father in 1963 at the family’s International Harvester dealership and service center in Eau Claire. He has held numerous management positions since, and became president and dealer principal in 1982.
He served 19 years on the Pennsylvania Truck Dealers board from 1991 to 2010 and on the PAA Foundation board of trustees for 12 years. Hunter was a founding dealer of Idealease, the third largest heavy-duty truck leasing and rental company in North America, according to the news release, and he served as chairman of its board of directors on two separate occasions.
Hunter and his brother, Harry, grew Hunter Truck from a single point dealership to over 24 locations today, with International and Peterbilt heavy-duty truck sales, service and leasing.
“Bob always voiced wisdom and generous guidance at every meeting,” says John Devlin, PAA president. “He has made the heavy-duty truck industry in Pennsylvania what it is today, and is not only a true leader but a generous philanthropist.”
In 2006, Hunter was recognized as the Dealer of the Year by American Truck Dealers for his many contributions to the industry. Over the past 10 years, through the Robert and Gail Hunter Foundation, he has donated over $1 million to his community.
