VMWA has a long history here in Virgina working with the best Movers and steering Consumers in the right direction. The landscape is ever changing and requires forward thinking and a desire to be honorable plus trustworthy.
Purpose of VMWA
The Virginia Movers and Warehousemen’s Association (VMWA) was organized to foster the interests of its Members, encourage and advance the spirit of unity and friendship among it’s Members, secure freedom from unjust or lawful exactions, to acquire, preserve and disseminate business information, and to do anything necessary which may recognized as proper and lawful objectives.
All efforts of VMWA shall be consistent with the public interest and the interest of the Association and it’s Members. VMWA is a non-profit Association.
VMWA History, the beginning
At the end of World War II, there were several leaders in Virginia’s moving industry that felt there should be a separate entity for Movers. Originally, the VMWA was a division of the Virginia Highway Users Association. The Highway Users Association represented all trucking companies in Virginia during that time.
Morgan Strother, President of W. Fred Richardson Security Storage Company located in Richmond was the main leader in forming the original VMWA group. He helped organize the first meeting of this new Movers group. This first meeting took place in Natural Bridge, Virginia on May 23,1952. Thus, they founded the VMWA organization.
Dan Judd read the following resolution at the conference:
Be it resolved: That this group of Household Goods Movers and Warehousemen, assembled here at Natural Bridge, Virginia this twenty-third day of May 1952, on behalf of itself and all other Household Goods Movers and Warehousemen in the State of Virginia, take proper action to organize and operate as the “Virginia Movers and Warehousemen’s Association” so that we, as a unit, may help collectively, with mutual cooperation and assistance, in the solving of our industry’s problems; that further; we immediately bring forth a tentative Constitution and By-Laws for discussion, then take appropriate action to set up and approve such Constitution and By-Laws as are consistent with the aims and desires of our new organization.
VMWA’s first Officers, Board members, and Regional Vice-Presidents were:
| Title | Name (District) |
| President | Alfred E. Crowe |
| Vice-President | B. J. Knight |
| Secretary | George Pitzer |
| Treasurer | J. Parker New |
| Directors: | Ward Scull (1 & 2) |
| Morgan Strother (3 & 4) | |
| Paige Marshall (8 & 10) | |
| John C. Westcott (6 & 7) | |
| Willian Dale (5 & 9) | |
| Regional Vice-Presidents: | James Goodwin (1 & 2) |
| T. W. Mayton (3 & 4) | |
| Buddy Thatch (8 & 10) | |
| D. O. Arnold (6 & 7) | |
| C. O. Poteat (5 & 9) |
Al Crowe, President of Vet Vans of Virginia located in Arlington, Virginia was elected the first president. Other founding members were Mrs. Dorothy Crowder and Frank Brittingham, both from Northern Virginia, Dan Judd from Lynchburg, Tom Shelburne from Richmond, and the Aspenwalls from the Norfolk area.
Over 100 Movers attended this foundation meeting.
Carroll Jackson
Carroll Jackson was the longest serving Executive Secretary for VMWA. He led the VMWA from December 16, 1963 until his retirement on January 1, 1999.
Carroll’s effort kept the VMWA a leading force in achieving the highest level of moving services for Consumers in Virginia. His influence stabilized the moving industry in the state for approximately 35 years.
Carroll’s friendship and respect for the Regulatory Agencies in Virginia and nationwide kept the Association in compliance. Carroll had the respect of the Regulators, too.
The VMWA will always be steady and secure with his past leadership.
One of Carroll’s toughest years was in 1977-1978. The State Corporation Commission (VMWA’s regulatory agency at that time) revised many of the current laws affecting the Movers in Virginia. Through Carroll’s efforts and the leadership of VMWA, a smooth transition was accomplished that has benefited the Consumers in Virginia and created a better working environment for the Movers.
Every Convention was successful with Carroll’s leadership and skills. He was able to negotiate with the Hotels and Resort sites for the best deals. Furthermore, he was able to obtain the industry’s best speakers, and always kept the Convention on time and orderly.
Carroll died suddenly on February 23, 2005. This was a shock to his wife, Louise and all of us at the VMWA organization. He will be deeply missed. Carroll’s legacy to us is to be strong and forthright in our affairs. Carroll Jackson was a good and noble man.