ATA Elects Dave Manning as New Chairman
ORLANDO, Fla. — American Trucking Associations’ annual conference culminated on Oct. 24 with the federation’s new chairman, Dave Manning, telling fellow members he will continue to push for greater investments in the country’s freight corridors to improve connectivity.
Promoting the industry’s contributions to safety and the economy also will top his priorities, Manning, president of Tennessee-based TCW Inc., said at the Management Conference & Exhibition. His peers and ATA members welcomed him with a standing ovation at the conference’s closing banquet.
“We have a unique opportunity to put great wins on the board,” Manning said. “The congestion in this country, along with the disrepair of our roads and bridges, make our jobs unsafe and more difficult.”
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Manning has been an executive at TCW since 1985. Since then the company has expanded into a diversified firm with more than 600 employees. At ATA, Manning chaired the Intermodal Motor Carrier Conference and worked with the Tennessee Trucking Association as chairman of the state association’s political action committee.
The federation’s president, Chris Spear, expressed confidence in the new chairman. “Dave has a strong and steady voice for our industry,” Spear said. “He will be an outstanding representative for our industry and I congratulate him on this honor.”
Manning succeeds Kevin Burch, president of Ohio-based Jet Express Inc. Sharing the stage at the closing ceremonies, the new chairman presented his predecessor with the honorary red jacket given to previous ATA chairmen.
Manning helps Burch with red jacket by John Sommers II for Transport Topics
“Us truckers, as I said before, we get the job done,” Burch told the audience, recounting his meeting with President Trump at the White House where he managed to have Trump wear an “I ♥ Trucks” pin.
Aside from the historic visit to the White House earlier this year, Burch championed the industry’s message of safety, and raised the profile of the Trucking Moves America Forward nationwide image campaign. He urged his fellow members to share the industry’s message with the world.
As he put it, “I urge you to tell the story — not once a year, not once a month, but every day.”
The ATA board also elected Barry Pottle, CEO of Pottle’s Transportation, as ATA first vice chairman and Randy Guillot, president of Triple G Express Inc., as ATA second vice chairman. Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, president of Garner Transportation, and Harold Summerford Jr., CEO of J&M Tank Lines Inc., were elected as ATA vice chairmen.
A concert with country music superstar Brad Paisley wrapped up the evening.
Paisley by John Sommers II for Transport Topics
