WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and congressional leaders were urged to take bold action to solve the nation’s long-standing shortfall in infrastructure development during meetings with American Trucking Associations’ Infrastructure Task Force.

Less than 14 years ago, John Drake was a 27-year-old with a philosophy degree who drove from California to Washington, D.C., with little more than a keen desire to work for the federal government.

Ted Scott, director of engineering for American Trucking Associations and a former director of government relations for less-than-truckload carriers Roadway Express and YRC Worldwide, died Jan. 10 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 71.

American Trucking Associations last week selected 20 professional drivers to serve as industry ambassadors on America’s Road Team, a program started decades ago to help educate the public about life on the road and the role trucking plays in the safe delivery of critical goods.

The number of workplace deaths involving transportation incidents — the most frequent type of worker fatality — increased, according to a Labor Department report issued Dec. 16.

American Trucking Associations has selected 11 people for its new task force to evaluate funding options for repairs to and expansion of the nation’s highways and bridges.

Michael Cammisa, a self-­described “car guy” while growing up in Alex­andria, Virginia, is the new vice president of safety policy and connectivity for American Trucking Associations.

Michael Cammisa, a self-described “car guy” while growing up in Alexandria, Virginia, spent the past 16 years at the Association of Global Automakers, most recently as senior director of safety and connected vehicles.