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ATA's Chris Spear: Over the past year, " ATA keeps its foot on the pedal despite dysfunction gripping our nation’s capital and statehouses."

Harold Sumerford Jr. writes, "As ATA chairman, I’ve traveled around the country — 20 states in all — talking to my fellow truckers. Everywhere I go I’m struck by how invigorated people are by the 'new' ATA."

The term “essential” came into sharp focus during the pandemic, ATA President Chris Spear notes. The urgency of the moment forced Americans to recognize the many hands at work that keep our society going. There was an outpouring of gratitude for our nation’s truck drivers, rightfully so, as they persevered through adversity to keep stores stocked and hospitals supplied.

The past few years have taught us that truck drivers don’t just deliver essential goods, they are essential workers themselves. It’s time to recognize that, and adopt a driver-first mindset.

As the American workforce continues to experience major shifts and fluxes, there’s an opportunity for those of us in the trucking and logistics industries to attract new drivers and workers looking for a post-pandemic change.

Truck parking is a major pain point for the industry, and needs more investment from the government. It’s time to get creative about urging that investment, and potentially look to an unconventional source to find it: states’ climate budgets.

Being part of an association is about getting involved, and one of the easiest ways to get involved with a group is to tell your story. I think about that because the story of my journey to becoming chairman of American Trucking Associations isn’t all that different from most of your stories.

While the driver shortage is not new, COVID worsened the problem.

I got to see up close just how important it is to be engaged with the association, and as I turn the wheel over, I want that to be the message I leave you with: Engagement is key in moving our agenda and industry forward.

The valuable assets that trucking, freight and logistics companies must protect from theft and damage require more than a one-size-fits-all solution, but creative opportunities exist for companies that integrate physical security with new technologies.