The Arkansas Trucking Association held elections for its Board of the Directors at its annual conference in Hot Springs, Ark., August 25-27. Board Chairman Mark Morris, president and CEO of Hamburg-based Morris Transportation Services, was re-elected to a second term.
ATA Elects Five New Directors to Board
- 02 Sep 2021
ATA Recognizes 2021 Champions of Trucking
- 22 Jul 2021

ATA President Shannon Newton presents 2021 Champion of Trucking Rep. Keith Brooks (R-Little Rock) with a commemorative truck and a legislative report card.
The Arkansas Trucking Association created the Champions of Trucking award in 2019 to recognize members of the Arkansas Legislature who supported issues of importance related to taxes, the legal environment, infrastructure and healthcare.
We are happy to announce 58 members of the 93rd Arkansas General Assembly as 2021 recipients of the Champions of Trucking award for their support of a pro-business, pro-trucking environment.
Three Arkansas Seniors to Receive Scholarships from Arkansas Trucking Association
- 26 May 2021
Three graduating seniors have been selected to receive scholarships from the Arkansas Trucking Association. Each of the students will receive a $7,500 scholarship from the Carl Tapp Memorial Scholarship Fund to support their pursuit of careers in medium/heavy duty truck technology. Below are the 2021 Carl Tapp Scholarship recipients:
- Caiden Sallee of Gentry, Ark.
- Channlyn Vaughn of Jonesboro, Ark.
- Ricky Watkins of Rogers, Ark.
“Without trucks, America stops; and without skilled technicians, trucks stop,” said Shannon Newton, president, Arkansas Trucking Association. “Truck drivers and diesel technicians are essential to a healthy economy. In fact, one in ten working Arkansans has a career in trucking. And that’s what we’re providing with these scholarships – the opportunity to launch careers. We welcome this year’s scholarship recipients into our industry where they will learn to ensure the safety of trucking equipment on the roads we all share.”
Read more: Three Arkansas Seniors to Receive Scholarships from Arkansas Trucking Association
Biden Proposes $2.25T Infrastructure Plan
- 18 May 2021
On March 31, President Biden released plans for a $2.25 trillion infrastructure and economic recovery package, known as the American Jobs Plan. The eight-year plan would be funded by a partial-reversal of the Trump tax cuts, raising the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent over 15 years.
A $621 billion in transportation infrastructure would aim to repair and modernize bridges, roads, public transit, ports, airports and electric vehicle development.
Suez Canal Cleared, Trucking Braces for Impact
- 18 May 2021
After blocking the Suez Canal for nearly a week, the Ever Given — which was carrying more than $3.5 billion in cargo – was finally dislodged; however, the ripple effect on the supply chain is expected to last well into the summer.
Dean Croke, principal analyst at DAT Solutions, said in a recent interview that, during the first three months of this year, 36% of container volume into the Port of New York and New Jersey came from the Suez Canal, along with 22% of volume at the Port of Savannah, Ga.
Fleets Delayed by Semiconductor, Rubber Shortages
- 18 May 2021
The ongoing shortage of semiconductors along with limited availability of other parts and supplies, including rubber to produce tires, are causing delays for trucking fleets, a recent survey found.
Conducted by the Technology & Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations, 73% of survey respondents said their operation has experienced delay in taking delivery of new vehicles due to the shortage of semiconductor chips. In 63% of these cases, the delay has amounted to 60 or more days.
Read more: Fleets Delayed by Semiconductor, Rubber Shortages
Interim FMCSA Chief Tapped for Position
- 18 May 2021
Meera Joshi is currently serving as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s deputy and acting administrator, a position she’s held since January, and one President Biden intends to make permanent with a nomination.
The FMCSA has been operating under acting administrators since Administrator Ray Martinez stepped down in October 2019.
“Build Back Better” Budget for the US DOT
- 18 May 2021
In addition to his $2 trillion infrastructure plan, President Biden has previewed a $1.5 trillion fiscal 2022 budget plan that would increase discretionary spending for transportation systems and severe weather resilience programs.
White House Issues Reports on States' Infrastructure Needs
- 18 May 2021
To evidence the need for an infrastructure bill, the White House has released state-by-state breakdowns that show the dire shape of roads, bridges, the power grid and housing affordability.
The administration's fact sheet had 25 states receiving grades of C-minus or below. The highest grade given was a C+, to Georgia and Utah. A total of 13 states – including Arkansas – did not receive a grade.
Read more: White House Issues Reports on States' Infrastructure Needs
Bill to Expand Truck Parking Would Make Roads Safer
- 18 May 2021
A bipartisan group of Congressmen have introduced H.R.2187, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which would improve highway safety by addressing a critical shortage in available parking for semis and large commercial trucks.
Read more: Bill to Expand Truck Parking Would Make Roads Safer
ATA PAC Draws Big Wins, Busted Brackets
- 18 May 2021
Playing for the PAC has never been easier than with the inaugural Arkansas Trucking Association bracket challenge. There were 37 brackets submitted with predictions for the NCAA Men’s Championship Basketball Tournament along with a donation to the ATA PAC for a chance to win prizes.
On April 5, Baylor University won their first-ever National Championship as they defeated Gonzaga in the final game. In all, 11 individuals took home prizes for points earned during the six rounds, and the tournament MVP, Tiffany Senavinin of Maverick Transportation, won $600 cash.
Brotherly Love Benefits Tech Scholarship
- 18 May 2021

Over the past four years, the Arkansas Trucking Association has awarded the Carl Tapp Technician Scholarship to students interested in pursuing a career as a medium and heavy-duty truck technician. Rick Tapp, the brother of the scholarship’s namesake, is retiring from PACCAR this year. In lieu of a physical token commemorating his career, he asked for donations to his brother’s scholarship fund. And his co-workers and business partners have answered the call en masse.
“They asked what I would like from the company for a retirement gift,” Tapp said. “I said I didn’t want anything personally, but would appreciate contributions to the technician scholarship. My boss shared the request with the people I’ve worked with over the past 19 years, and I have been overwhelmed by the support.”
Over the past few weeks, Rick’s supporters have donated $2,550 to the scholarship in his honor. “Not only do I appreciate the support, but so do the students who will benefit from this jumpstart to their careers, and the industry itself that needs more skilled technicians to keep us moving forward.”