The American Trucking Associations has announced the appointment of a new president and CEO nearly two months after the departure of their previous leader.
The ATA announced the appointment of Mark Colson on Thursday, October 15th. His appointment is effective as of December 1st. The ATA has been without a President and CEO since August, when Chris Spear announced his resignation, effective immediately. A comprehensive explanation of this sudden departure has not been provided.
According to the ATA release, Colson has served as president and CEO of the Alabama Trucking Association since 2019, and held roles on the ATA’s Strategic Priorities Committee, Truck PAC Board of Directors, and on the American Transportation Research Institute’s Research Advisory Committee.
“This is a unique moment for ATA to make a renewed commitment to the trucking industry and the professionals who call our industry home,” Colson stated. “It’s a commitment built first on earned trust, a sense of family and purpose, and an unrelenting passion to fight for the issues that matter most to trucking.”
“The values that trucking leaders and professionals hold dear were instilled in me at an early age in my family’s second-generation tire shop, Blow-Out Tire Company, where I grew up changing truck tires. They have followed me throughout my career fighting for the hard-working men and women throughout our industry, and it is a privilege to continue that fight alongside the team and members of ATA.”
“For more than 90 years, ATA’s mission has been to give trucking a strong voice in the decisions that shape its future,” said ATA Chairman Greg Hodgen, CEO of Groendyke Transport. “Mark will build on that foundation, bringing fresh energy and a clear vision for advancing our industry’s priorities and delivering even greater value for our members.”
“The decisions made in Washington don’t stay in Washington. They affect how we operate, how we invest, and how we serve our customers every day,” said incoming ATA Chairman Derek Leathers, chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises. “Our industry needs a strong, unified voice at the table to make sure policymakers understand those realities and fight for policies that enable trucking to keep America moving.”
