Trucking moves front and center at the White House

Members of the American Trucking Associations, including American trucking Associations President and chief Executive Officer Chris Spear, along with Trucking Moves America Forward Co-chair Kevin Burch and several professional truck drivers and company executives, were invited to meet directly with President Donald Trump.

The drivers--America’s Road Team Captains--gave a personal tour to President Trump as he took a seat inside the cab of a truck in front of the White House. The rig included a trailer with TMAF promotional imaging.

Later, a round table of trucking company leaders introduced themselves and their companies one-by-one to the president. President Trump stressed the importance of American companies and his pledge to repair the nation's infrastructure problems.

Trucking company executives explained that trucking is the backbone of the nation’s economy, employing one in 16 people in the United States. “Driving a truck is the top job in 29 states,” Spear said. “Trucking moves 70% of the nation’s freight and 56% of GDP. To grow our economy, we need to take care of the people that move America forward.”

ATA Chairman Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express Inc, said: “The 7.3 million people who work in the trucking industry--of which 3.5 million are professional truck drivers--have a common thread to be safe and dependable and that requires a healthy professional behind the wheel. One thing for certain the professional men and women drivers in America are proud of hauling America’s freight. We are here to tell you Mr President, that the trucking industry will support you as you work towards solving America’s health care challenges. In addition, we look forward to working with you on improving our workplace, which is our highways.”

America’s Road Team Captain Don Logan, a professional truck driver with FedEx Freight, from Eskridge KS, said: “Truck drivers are in all 50 states--every single day. As a driver, we feel the weight of the numerous regulations placed on us, as well as our companies, and those that we serve. We proudly stand with you in your effort to improve the current healthcare law making it easier for us to make a living and serve America.”

Burch and Logan were joined by a number of trucking executives: Jim Burg, president and CEO, James Burg Trucking Co, Warren MI; David Congdon, CEO, Old Dominion Freight Line, Thomasville NC; Mike Ducker, president and CEO, FedEx Freight, Memphis TN; Eric Fuller, CEO, US Xpress Inc, Chattanooga TN; Neal Kedzie, president, Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association, Madison WI; Rich McArdle, president, UPS Freight, Richmond VA; Dennis Nash, CEO, Kenan Advantage Group, North Canton OH; Tonn Ostergard, president and CEO, Crete Carrier Corp, Lincoln NE; and John Smith, chairman, CRST International Inc, Cedar Rapids IA.

In addition, ATA’s image truck--Interstate One--joined a trailer provided by Jet Express featuring Trucking Moves America Forward imaging, hauled by ATA’s Share the Road Truck. These trucks are being driven and escorted by 12 professional drivers with a combined 319 years of driving experience and 29.4 million accident-free miles: Steve Fields, Independence MO (YRC Freight); Ralph Garcia, Albuquerque NM (ABF Freight System); David Green, Hot Springs AR (Werner Enterprises); Rhonda Hartman, Des Moines IA (Old Dominion Freight Line); John Lex, Monroe GA (Walmart Transportation); David Livingston, Springfield GA (TCW Inc); Don Logan, Eskridge KS (FedEx Freight); Charlton Paul Jr, Chester NY (UPS Freight); Russell Simpson, South Vienna OH (Holland Inc); Todd Stine, Altoona PA (Carbon Express); Barney Earl Taylor, Orlando FL (Penske); and Derrick Whittle, Fieldale VA (Cargo Transporters Inc).