ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) on March 24 announced the formation of the Law Enforcement Advisory Board (LEAB), a new panel that will advise the ATA on ways to grow and strengthen relationships between the trucking industry and law-enforcement organizations across the country.
The board is comprised of ATA members who have previous experience in federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as current and retired law-enforcement officials who have contributed positively to the partnership between both groups.
“No two groups have a stronger and more consistent presence on our nation’s highways than law-enforcement officers and American truckers,” said Chris Spear, president and CEO of ATA. “Therein lies a strategic opportunity for greater collaboration, increased communication and new bonds. The incredible depth and breadth of experience represented on this board will be an invaluable asset for our industry, the law enforcement community, and the safety of the motoring public alike.”
The 22 members of the advisory board include representatives of motor carriers, including drivers, as well as consultants, insurance experts, law-enforcement professionals and more.
The board will meet bimonthly to identify areas of opportunity and provide recommendations on priority issues. During its inaugural meeting, held virtually last week, the board identified the primary issues it will focus on in the coming weeks and months, including combatting human trafficking; increasing truck parking capacity and ensuring driver safety at rest stops; commercial motor vehicle safety and security; and enhancing access to training for drivers and company safety personnel.
The 22 LEAB members include:
- Derek Barrs, HNTB Corp.;
- Joe Allen Boyd, a professional driver for Walmart Inc.;
- Tim Cardwell, National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Assistance Center;
- Rick Cates, Marsh USA Inc.;
- Butch Day, Yellow Corp.;
- Jeff DeVere, DeVere Public Affairs and Consulting;
- Floyd Dixon, FedEx Freight;
- Fred Fakkema, Zonar Systems Inc.;
- Jeff Ferber, ABF Freight System;
- Kent Grisham, Nebraska Trucking Association;
- Chris Harris, ABF Freight System;
- Parker Harrison, Old Dominion Freight Line;
- Jim Kochenderfer, Werner Enterprises;
- Mike Martin, Old Dominion Freight Line;
- John McKown, a professional driver for UPS Freight;
- Ray Miller, McAnally Wilkins Insurance;
- Dana Moore, Texas Trucking Association;
- Myron Rau, South Dakota Trucking Association;
- John Spiros, Roehl Transport;
- Jeffrey Tippit, City of La Porte Police Department;
- Christopher Vinson, Midlothian Police Department; and
- Donnie Ware, ABF Freight System.
LEAB members have current or previous affiliation with the following 27 law-enforcement entities:
- California Highway Patrol;
- City of La Porte, Texas, Police Department;
- Clay County, West Virginia, Sheriff’s Department;
- DeSoto, Texas, Police Department;
- Federal Bureau of Investigation;
- Florida Highway Patrol;
- Fort Smith, Arkansas, Police Department;
- Fremont, Nebraska, Police Department;
- Gassaway, West Virginia, Police Department;
- Howard County, Maryland, Police Department;
- Jackson, Tennessee, Police Department;
- Madison County, Florida, Sheriff’s Department;
- McKinney, Texas, Police Department;
- Midland, Texas, Police Department;
- Midlothian, Texas, Police Department;
- National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Assistance Center;
- North Carolina Highway Patrol;
- Ocean City, Maryland, Police Department;
- Pennsylvania Game Commission;
- Rowlett, Texas, Police Department;
- Sarpy County, Nebraska, Sheriff’s Office;
- South Dakota Highway Patrol;
- Texas Department of Public Safety;
- U.S. Air Force Security Police;
- U.S. Secret Service;
- U.S. Navy Military Police; and
- Washington State Patrol.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Yea right.
Why fool around with the money cow
Board members from Roehl Werner ABF UPSAnd old domino who are all short line haul drivers or wanna be drivers.
After 4.8 million miles in 37 years its slowly but sure ATA and law enforcement are only there to fill pockets.
Werner with there deal with the electronic logs
The rest with cheap labor that can’t stop for bad weather or inclined weather and holds up fuel islands nationwide with taking breaks on fuel islands.
Law enforcement schools only look at the big companies like Werner swift abf ups and those that have a free pass to go trough scales because they are in my eyes exempt but looking at the trailers with no lights missing tires and drivers on phones tablets or sitting with legs on dashboard says enough for me.
Good luck I keep on driving like I do no accidents no speeding tickets and overall a safe driver.