American Trucking Associations celebrated 18 recent LEAD ATA graduates and welcomed 15 rising leaders into the program during the annual ATA Management Conference and Exhibition. The group includes four “LEADers” from the tank truck industry, with two executives completing the program and two more coming in.
“The LEAD ATA program has allowed me to broaden my experience and build relationships with those in different areas of the trucking industry,” new LEAD ATA graduate Sabrina Williams, J&M Tank Lines corporate communications manager, told Bulk Transporter.
“This program has given all of us great insight into other aspects of not only ATA, but the significance of being involved with your local state and other industry associations. Our Call on Washington gave us the opportunity to put our leadership and advocacy skills to the test and help make a difference by sharing our stories as representatives for our companies.
“The connections, partnerships, and friendships I have built during my time in LEAD ATA have empowered me to continue my involvement in helping drive our industry forward—and help others to do the same.”
William Usher, Usher Transport executive vice president of maintenance, also completed the ATA leadership program. New enrollees include G&D Trucking/Hoffman Transportation’s Joseph Briner and Grammer Logistics’ Joshua Mecca.
“Cultivating the next generation of leadership is crucial to our industry’s continued growth,” Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO, said in a news release. “Each year I am impressed by the men and women who emerge from the LEAD ATA program.
“They are setting our industry and association up for success.”
LEAD ATA, sponsored by DriverReach, offers exclusive educational opportunities for trucking industry executives, incorporating real-world problem solving and advanced industry insights. Throughout the course of the year-long program, participants are educated about regulatory and legislative processes, and ATA’s efforts to shape those processes, including advocacy, image and outreach, research, and leadership training.
The 18 members of the LEAD ATA class first introduced last year in San Diego as the 10th group to complete the program include:
- Jeremy Carmichael, Ruan Transportation Management Systems
- Kyle Check, Pressure Systems International
- Madison Conway, DDC Freight Process Outsourcing
- Tyer Damazo, PGT Trucking
- Monika Darwish, Remora Carbon
- Carson Davidenko, FedEx Freight
- Kelsey Gibson, Covenant Transport
- Mitch Giesey, FedEx Ground
- Jonathan Gong, Youngs Commercial Transfer
- Amy Kofoed, Navistar
- Issac Issa, Legacy Express Trucking
- Meredith Preistley, Cargo Transporters
- Grant Russo, Cummins
- Amanda Schuier, Jetco Delivery
- William Usher, Usher Transport
- John Waters
- Sabrina Williams, J&M Tank Lines
- John Zuckett
The 15 rising industry leaders who will be participating in the program in the coming year include:
- Ryan Bennett, Bennett Family of Companies
- Joseph Briner, Hoffman Transportation
- Jackie Bull, Cummins
- Christopher Eckhart, Scopelitis Garvin Light Hanson & Feary, P.C.
- Andy Engardio, AssuredPartners
- Matt Fleming, Ruan Transportation Management Systems
- Manny Hoyt, TrueNorth Companies
- Quetura Hudson, DDC Freight Process Outsourcing
- Joshua Mecca, Grammer Logistics
- Issac Ramirez, United Parcel Service
- Derek Sizemore, United Parcel Service
- Adam Smith, KSM Transport Advisors
- Joe Soliz, Link Labs
- Dana Spencer, CRST The Transportation Solutions Inc.
- Joshua Wallace, FedEx Freight
“The LEAD ATA program was created with the future in mind, continually encouraging the development of the next generation of leaders in the trucking industry. LEAD ATA graduates are not only involved with the American Trucking Associations, but on Capitol Hill, with their companies, and with their local communities,” said Jeremy Reymer, DriverReach founder. “As a proud sponsor, DriverReach has had the opportunity to engage with these dynamic leaders and watch this program grow immensely. On behalf of DriverReach, we are thrilled to welcome the 11th Class of LEAD ATA.”