Arkansas Trucking Association Announces New President
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- Created: 06.12.2014
Shannon Newton, Selected to Lead Industry Group
The Board of Directors of the Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shannon Newton as President.
Shannon has been with the ATA since 2003 and has served as vice president since 2008. She succeeds Lane Kidd who resigned earlier this year. Newton will assume her duties immediately.
"When we began our search for a new president, we knew that an experienced leader with deep industry knowledge and a broad skill set was exactly what we needed," stated Craig Harper, ATA Chairman of the Board and EVP/COO of J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. “Shannon is a dynamic leader and extremely knowledgeable on the complex issues faced by our members. The board was unanimous in this appointment. She became the clear choice to lead the Arkansas Trucking Association forward.”
“I am honored and humbled to have been chosen to lead the ATA,” said Ms. Newton. “The Arkansas trucking industry is a recognized national leader. My years with the association, working on behalf of this great industry, the member companies and the thousands of dedicated, professional men and women, in the cab and out, have been so rewarding. I welcome the opportunity as president to continue to work with the ATA’s extraordinary and dedicated staff and with these extraordinary members to help drive our industry’s growth.”
Up Front - The Year of the Driver
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- Created: 05.06.2014
Gary Salisbury
Chairman & CEO, Fikes Truck Line
Chairman, Arkansas Trucking Association
Over the past several years it seems like all we have talked about, looked at, pointed at and cussed about has been regulations and the re-regulation of our industry. From CSA and electronic logos to EPA standards and the California Air Resource Board, just to name the big ones. If only we didn't have all o these rules and regulations we could make some money. Oh, and don't forget those high fuel prices.
But guess what? We have taken our eye off of the real solution to our problems. It all goes back to the Golden Rule of trucking, at least according to my uncle who drove and retired from Yellow Freight: "The driver, he will either make ya or break ya."
The Last Word
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- Created: 05.05.2014
Strength in Numbers
By Mitchell Lowe, Guest Writer
Most Americans have heard of political action committees, or PACs, but couldn’t tell you the first thing about them—except that they’re evil. Their malicious image is largely the result of negative press and the wide- spread demonization of special interest groups in the political process.
The fact is PACs, in one form or another, have been around since the advent of free elections…and they’re here to stay. Simply put, PACs are the joining together of individuals with common interests to achieve a goal. Today PACs should be components of the overall legislative and political strategy of any entity (company, trade association, etc.) that finds itself subject to the whims of a regulatory body.
The Last Word
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- Created: 03.20.2014
Eyes Wide Open: The Big Rig Dilemma
By Tom Ricciardone, Guest Writer
On February 5, the day after an icy, wintry mix hit Central Arkansas, the front page of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette featured a four-column wide photo of an over-turned tractor-trailer. The bold type headline: “Rig Flips on I-30 Exit Ramp.”
Just days later, after another blast of weather, Sunday’s Page 1 headline read: “Woman Missing After Leap Into River to Avoid Hit By Rig.”
Imagine, with no advance warning, you have five minutes to address a room full of colleagues from throughout the state. Your task is to present a short bullet-point wish list for “marketing” the Arkansas trucking industry within the state and beyond.
As an industry insider, with a unique vantage point, what would you tell them?
This brief column can only scratch the surface, highlight a few “wish-list” items that might resonate along with some essential points of context to consider.
