Executives in Training Tackle Trucking Issues During Second Meeting of LEAD ATA Program

A group of trucking executives training to be among the industry’s future leaders met with American Trucking Associations officials in late January to broaden their knowledge of policy issues that prove a challenge to the industry.

The 17 executives, ranging in age from 23 to 49, are inaugural participants of the federation’s LEAD ATA program.

Robert Haag, a 34-year-old third-generation trucker, is in the group. He is vice president of operations for Indianapolis-based Perfect Transportation, a family-owned dry van carrier with 50 power units.

“We certainly have been given a head start being a part of this program,” Haag said.

He said LEAD — which stands for leadership, engagement, advocacy and development — has allowed him to bond with executives who are in his age group and at his experience level.

But it’s what the class members do after the program ends that will distinguish them, Haag said.

“For most of the group, the program is about exposure to power and things that might make you uncomfortable,” Haag added. “The more that you get exposed to that, the more comfortable you are in dealing with that level. It brings confidence.”

The meeting in Arlington, Va., was the second of four for the class. The final two will explore effective leadership and lobbying Congress and regulatory agencies, said Warren Hoemann, ATA’s senior vice president of industry affairs.

Louisville, Ky.-based Trimac Transportation Inc.’s dry bulk general manager, Rick Hoyle, 47, participated. He said he now sees the significance of making sure that policymakers in Washington understand the business.

“We have to understand that our business is so heavily dominated by people who have seen the golden age of trucking,” Hoyle said. “With all the regulatory things and changes in dynamics, it’s a different ballgame now.”

Hoyle added, “We are one of the most highly regulated industries in America, and anything that comes out of this town [Washington] typically adds more cost to what we have to do.”

Martin Tewari, 49, vice president of operations for Con-way Truckload in Joplin, Mo., said that he didn’t realize the “breadth” of what ATA does to help carriers support the industry.

He said sharing information with LEAD classmates has helped him better understand such issues as the driver shortage.

“It gives you a good understanding of what other people are trying to do to bring drivers into the industry,” Tewari said. “To me, it’s an issue that I lose sleep over every night.”