ATA Launches 13th LEAD ATA Leadership Class
17 Rising Professionals Begin Yearlong Industry Training
Key Takeaways:
- American Trucking Associations announced the 13th class of its LEAD ATA leadership program Oct. 26 at its 2025 Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego.
- The yearlong program will train 17 selected professionals in advocacy, policy and leadership to prepare them for senior roles in the trucking industry.
- Participants will complete coursework and outreach projects over the next year as ATA continues efforts to develop future leaders amid workforce and regulatory challenges.
[Stay on top of transportation news: .]
American Trucking Associations of its LEAD ATA leadership program, selecting 17 professionals from across the trucking sector for a year of industry training.
The yearlong initiative is designed to prepare rising leaders for advanced roles in the trucking industry through coursework, advocacy engagement and networking with senior executives. Over the next 12 months, participants will gain insight into ATA’s legislative efforts, regulatory priorities and public image campaigns while developing the skills to navigate the industry’s evolving challenges.
Since its inception, LEAD ATA has served as a leadership pipeline for the federation, equipping participants with a deeper understanding of issues ranging from workforce development to technology adoption and sustainability.
“LEAD ATA represents the promise and potential of our industry’s future,” ATA President Chris Spear said. “We’re honored to welcome such a dedicated and talented group of professionals into the program and look forward to seeing how their experiences and ideas will strengthen trucking for years to come.”
The 2025-2026 class — announced Oct. 26 at ATA’s 2025 Management Conference & Exhibition in San Diego — includes professionals representing a cross section of carriers, manufacturers and logistics firms, reflecting the industry’s diversity and scope. Members are:
- Jordan Atwater, TrueNorth Cos.
- Melissa Hetland, GLCS
- Nicholas Hettel, Cummins Inc.
- Allison Hughes, Bennett Motor Express
- Jorie Justice, FedEx Custom Critical
- Cecilia Kelly, Transforce
- Joshua Lang, Roehl Transport
- Josh McAlister, Tenstreet
- Scott Metroff, International Motors
- John Millican, Hyundai Translead
- Priscilla Pantoja Johnson, Laredo Motor Carrier Association
- Catherine Shepherd, Revoy
- Carlo Solorzano, Driver iQ
- Maddie Sullivan, Volvo Trucks North America
- Covey Thompson, The Martin Brower Co.
- Taylor Vandersteenhoven, Revenova
- Joe White, The DDC Group
Participants were selected through a competitive process recognizing professional achievements, leadership potential and commitment to advancing the trucking industry. Each class member will also complete an individual project focused on industry outreach or education.
The program’s sponsors are Tenstreet and Driver’s Legal Plan. Both organizations emphasized the importance of investing in the industry’s next generation of leaders amid ongoing challenges in workforce retention, safety and regulation.
Graduates of the 2024-2025 class included representatives from major fleets and manufacturers, such as FedEx Freight, UPS, Volvo Trucks North America and Ruan Transportation. Many alumni now hold key leadership positions within their companies or serve in advisory roles to ATA committees. Graduates are:
- Rebecca Anderson, Transland
- Jill Apperson, Luma Brighter Learning
- Jeff Bethers, CRST The Transportation Solution
- Christy Choice, Tenstreet
- Justin Copeland, URS Midwest, United Road
- Kelly Crow, FedEx Freight
- Steven Edwards, FedEx Freight
- Randy Efird, Weaver Brothers
- Michael Floyd, Professional Auto Transport
- Blake Grolmus, Ruan Transportation Management Systems
- Robert Hamon, FedEx Freight
- Will Haymons, Bennett Family of Cos.
- Rocco Marrari, Pedigree Technologies
- Michael Petzold, Moran Transportation Corp.
- Taylor Rodriguez, UPS Inc.
- Kevin Scott II, UPS Inc.
- Daniel Simnick, International Motors
- Ben Slaton, Cummins Inc.
- Jeff Smith, Martin Heavy Transport
- Dayton Stevens, CRST The Transportation Solution
- Charles Stewart, Houston Freightliner
- Kyle Zimmerman, Volvo Trucks North America
Through LEAD ATA, participants gain exposure to the inner workings of ATA’s advocacy and policy agenda, including meetings with lawmakers, visits to Capitol Hill and workshops on communications and regulatory affairs. The program has become a central component of ATA’s broader effort to strengthen leadership continuity and promote industry professionalism.
More information about the LEAD ATA program and the 2025-2026 class is available at trucking.org/lead-ata.
Generative AI assisted in the creation of this article.
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing belowor go here for more info:
