ATA Bolsters Lobbying Effort

There’s a new trucking lobbyist on the block, and his name is Joe Hart.

Until December, Hart was staff director for Senate Democratic Whip Wendell Ford of Kentucky. On Jan. 18, he became the new vice president of legislative and government affairs for American Trucking Associations.

Hart’s hiring is part of ATA’s efforts to enhance its lobbying, which has come under criticism for focusing too much on congressional Republicans.

As staff director, Hart served as liaison between the Senate Democratic leadership and rank-and-file lawmakers. He learned lawmakers’ views on issues and worked with Democratic leaders to line up votes on key legislation.

Hart worked in the Democratic cloakroom from 1981 until joining the whip staff in 1990. The cloakroom is located just off the Senate floor and serves as a waiting room and information center for lawmakers.

A University of Maryland graduate, Hart worked as a track layer for the Baltimore subway and as a carpenter and custom homebuilder before working on Capitol Hill.

“My goal is to be an advocate for trucking and the new face of ATA,” Hart said.

“Joe is a tremendous asset to our outreach on Capitol Hill,” said Walter McCormick Jr., president at the association. “He’s a master of the legislative process, and we’re excited to be able to rely on his 17 years of Senate experience to help advance trucking’s agenda in Congress.”

For the full story, see the Feb. 8 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.