By Dan Cushman Twenty years ago, I was working for Werner Enterprises when a meeting with Walmart brought me to Northwest Arkansas for the first time. A memory of a map hanging in a fast food restaurant somewhere near Bentonville stays with me. There were six big rivers. Two mountain ranges, seven caverns, over 2300 […]
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Shannon Newton President, ATA The transportation sector is the 4th biggest contributor to the American GDP. Research from the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows that accelerations and decelerations of the freight Transportation Statistics Index precede the growth cycles of the economy by about four months. We sit on top of the economic
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By Chris Spear Sometimes Arkansas seems to be a step ahead of the rest of the country with its vision and leadership. In March, Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed into law what he called “the largest highway plan in the state’s history.” The legislation includes an increase of 3 cents for a gallon of gasoline and
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Shannon Newton President, ATA Each year, one team raises their league’s distinct trophy, cup or bowl in the air in celebration of a year’s worth of hard work, dedication, success, and likely a little bit of luck. Champions secure their place in history, forever to be remembered for the collective effort to be the best.
By David O’Neal History is replete with grassroots movements that have improved working conditions, brought down governments and in many cases, effected genuine and lasting societal change. Within the trucking industry, organized labor movements have met with relative success, ebbing and flowing over the decades. Yet grassroots efforts have generally fallen short of their goals.
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Shannon Newton President, ATA It feels so good to be right. Neuroscientists say we get a little rush of dopamine when we read or hear news that matches our beliefs about the world and success. Recently while at the gym I made a flippant comment, in attempt to make a loss sting a little less,
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By Erica Brigance & Michelle Smith This time of year, we take part in ingrained traditions, from the places we meet, the food we cook or the gifts we exchange. Likewise, the Arkansas Trucking Association’s 40 Under 40 Council has held to a near-decade long tradition of giving back during the holiday season. The council,
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Shannon Newton President, ATA I would love to use this column to pat ourselves on the back and congratulate all of you on a big win for the trucking industry, but maybe next time. This one’s about perseverance, commitment and our willingness as an industry, as advocates, to call an audible and continue the work
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By David O’Neal The general election on Nov. 3, 1992 was of profound consequence. A new administration took over Washington after 12 years of Reagan/Bush. Native-son Bill Clinton would lead that new administration, becoming the first Arkansan to hold the nation’s highest office. And at age 18, it was the first of seven consecutive “generals”
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Shannon Newton President, ATA Every September, we host a lunch at a local truck stop during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. It’s not particularly fancy, but it does take a lot of volunteers, donations and ketchup packets to pull off. We welcome as many truck drivers as are able to take their lunch breaks with
Up Front- My People Read More »