WASHINGTON — John Esparza, president and CEO of the Texas Trucking Association, has been elected as chairman of the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Trucking Association Executives Council (TAEC), Tony Bradley, president and CEO of the Arizona Trucking Association, has been elected as vice chairman.
Esparza previously served as TAEC’s vice chair and succeeds Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association, who recently concluded her one-year term as TAEC chair. As TAEC chairman, Esparza serves as the TAEC representative to the ATA Executive Committee and Strategic Priorities Committee.
“To say it is a tremendous honor would be an understatement,” Esparza said. “I will take Shannon’s lead in this long gray line of so many state executives who have been elected by their peers, all with the same goal in mind: to serve the industry and one another selflessly and with the spirit of the many great men and women who work daily to keep this country trucking safely.”
As vice chairman, Bradley serves as first alternate should Esparza be unable to participate in an Executive Committee or Strategic Priorities Committee meeting.
“It is an honor to be elected as vice chairman of the TAEC. I am committed to working collaboratively with my fellow executives to drive positive change, advance our industry’s priorities and improve our association,” Bradley said. “Together, we will continue to advocate for the interests of our members and ensure a strong future for trucking and trucking associations.”
TAEC is comprised of staff executives of state trucking associations and conferences affiliated with ATA. According to ATA, TAEC has a three-pronged purpose:
- To promote the trucking industry;
- To contribute to the improvement of the associations and organizations established to serve the trucking industry; and
- To advance the professional stature and capabilities of the managers and executives of such associations.
Esparza has led the Texas Trucking Association and the Southwest Movers Association since 2006. Previously, he worked for the administrations of Texas governors Rick Perry and George W. Bush. He has also served on the Texas Energy Task Force, the Texas Panama Canal Stakeholder Work Group and the Texas Proposition 1 Special Committee on Transportation Funding. He continues to serve on the Texas Transportation Commission’s State Freight Advisory Committee and the Texas Border Infrastructure Planning Committee. He was most recently appointed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Task Force.
Bradley has led the Arizona Trucking Association and the Arizona Trucking Association Foundation since 2013. He began his professional career with U.S. Sen. John McCain, working in a variety of capacities for the late senator in Arizona and Washington, D.C., and he consulted and advised on hundreds of political and public affairs campaigns throughout the U.S.
Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, Erica N. Guy decided to stay in her hometown to begin her professional career in journalism. Since obtaining her bachelor’s degree from UAPB, Erica has professionally written for several publications about several topics ranging from lifestyle, tech, culture, and entertainment, just to name a few. Continuing her love for her hometown, she joined our team in June 2023, where she is currently a staff writer. Her career goals include continuing storytelling through her writing by being the best professional writer she can be. In her spare time, Erica enjoys trying new foods, cozying up with a good book, spending time with family and friends, and establishing herself as a future businesswoman.
