Packed MCE Agenda Includes Buttigieg, Hutcheson
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Appearances by two of the nation’s top federal transportation leaders highlight the agenda for American Trucking Associations’ annual Management Conference & Exhibition, which returns to San Diego this week.
The event, taking place Oct. 22-25 at the San Diego Convention Center, where it was held in 2019, also will feature the annual State of the Industry address from ATA President Chris Spear, and educational sessions that promise in-depth analysis and insight on issues confronting the trucking industry.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is scheduled to speak Oct. 25 in advance of the ATA board of directors meeting. Buttigieg is touring the country ahead of the upcoming midterm elections touting the enactment of the $1 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which President Joe Biden signed nearly a year ago.
Also scheduled to address attendees at the conference is Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Chief Robin Hutcheson, who on Oct. 22 will provide an update on the agency’s agenda. Hutcheson said that an emphasis for her this fall is resolving truck parking woes, enhancing workforce opportunities for women and underrepresented groups, and ensuring the viability of supply chains.
TT NEWSMAKERS: Hutcheson talks parking, supply chain and more
Her address precedes a packed agenda that includes discussions on supply chain connectivity, the economy, and legislative affairs at the state and federal level.
Spear during his address is expected to update attendees on the federation’s work over the past year — including victories on several key issues — and also provide an update on economic conditions, workforce matters and challenges that lie ahead.
“MCE is always a special time, but this year with so many successes to highlight, it truly feels like a celebration of all that our industry and association have accomplished together,” Spear said Oct. 18. “We are looking forward to gathering in San Diego for an invigorating and engaging event.”
Informational sessions and panels will survey ongoing freight concerns, including discussions about facilitating the movement of goods along supply chains.
Costello
Bob Costello, ATA’s chief economist, will lead a panel discussion titled, “The Economy in a New World Order.” Glen Kedzie, ATA vice president, energy and environmental counsel, is scheduled to lead a panel discussion titled, “How the Future Regulatory Environment Will Impact Your Equipment Purchasing Decisions and Technology Pathways.” Bill Sullivan, ATA executive vice president for advocacy, will host a panel titled, “Casting a Wide Net to Prepare for Trucking Decarbonization, Emissions Reductions, and Sustainability Planning.”
Featured industry speakers will include Derek Leathers, president and CEO of Werner Enterprises; Dennis Dellinger, president and CEO, Cargo Transporters, Inc.; and Michael Roeth, executive director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency.
Baylor
A session featuring women leaders in the trucking industry will include Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association and vice chairman of the Trucking Association Executives Council; Cari Baylor, president of Baylor Trucking; Tamara Jalving, vice president of safety at Yellow; Tina Peterson, a professional truck driver and owner of Red Pine Transport; and Angela Tillery, managing director of learning and development at FedEx Freight. In July, ATA launched the Women In Motion group to amplify industrywide contributions of women.
MCE also will be a stage for the American Transportation Research Institute’s annual issues presentation. ATRI is scheduled to announce the results of its 2022 Top Industry Issues Survey, a tradition for nearly two decades. The survey asks industry stakeholders to rank top issues of concern for the industry, as well as potential solutions for addressing them. A panel discussion led by Rebecca Brewster, the group’s president and COO, will break down the survey’s results.
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Also, ATA will host ceremonies to recognize the industry’s top achievers. Among them is FedEx Express’ Roland Bolduc, this year’s National Truck Driving Championships grand champion. Bolduc surpassed a field of more than 400 of his peers to win the title in August during a tournament in Indianapolis. In 2017, Bolduc also took home the NTDC grand champion trophy.
Soon after his victory this summer, Spear praised the national champ. As he put it, “To emerge as the best of a truly elite group is a tremendous honor. Roland’s commitment to safety and professionalism is an example of what this industry and this event are truly about.”
