ATA Names Second LEAD ATA Class

SAN DIEGO — The second class of American Trucking Associations’ executive leadership training program, LEAD ATA, was announced on Oct. 6 during the kickoff of the federation’s annual Management Conference & Exhibition here.

Thirteen men and women were selected for LEAD — which stands for leadership, engagement, advocacy and development.

“Trucking is a truly diverse industry, and that diversity is reflected in this, the second class of LEAD ATA,” ATA President Bill Graves said.

The program is intended to shape future industry leaders by providing educational opportunities that highlight how the regulatory and legislative process affects the trucking industry and ATA’s role in shaping them. It also informs the rising leaders about tools available to industry executives through ATA.

“We succeeded with our inaugural class, and I cannot wait to see what this next group has to offer ATA and the trucking industry,” said Kevin Burch, ATA vice chairman and president of Jet Express, based in Dayton, Ohio.

“These 13 driven individuals have a lot to live up to, as our first class was so engaged and committed to excellence in our industry,” Graves added.

The program was launched in May 2013 with 17 members.

LEAD ATA is sponsored by PeopleNet.

“PeopleNet is proud to not only sponsor, but have the opportunity to participate in the distinguished LEAD ATA program for the second year in a row,” said PeopleNet’s president, Brian McLaughlin.

The new class includes:

Trevor Spring, Energy Dispatch; Rebecca Pohl Liette, Pohl Transportation Inc.; Lisa Black, FedEx Corp.; Scott Beaves, FedEx Ground; George Fetsko, FedEx Ground; Jaime Maus, Werner Enterprises Inc.; Travis Russo, US AutoLogistics; Brandon Woods, Refrigerated Transport Inc.; Anne-Marie Hulsey, U.S. Legal Services; James Winton, Trimac Transportation Inc.; Elizabeth Pemmerl, NIC Technologies; Mason Guillot, Triple G Express; and Nataly Byrce, Preferred Materials Inc.

Some of the companies have sent representatives to the yearlong program for a second time.

While the full agenda for the class was not disclosed, the inaugural group met four times to explore everything from policy and effective leadership to lobbying Congress and regulatory agencies.