The American Trucking Associations’ month-long sprint to replace its top executive culminated in the unanimous, “unconventional” selection of Alabama trucking leader Mark Colson.

Following the abrupt August departure of Chris Spear, who stepped down before the end of his contract, the federation announced Colson as its next president and CEO on Oct. 15, only two days before the start of its annual Management Conference & Exhibition, capping an aggressive search process driven by a desire for fresh energy over Washington entrenchment.

“The sudden nature of Chris’s departure caused [outgoing ATA Chairman Greg Hodgen] and ATA’s officers to make the difficult decision that we needed to replace Chris sooner than later,” Randy Clifford, incoming ATA first vice chairman and CEO of Ventura Transfer Company—who served on the nine-member committee—told Bulk Transporter. “We didn’t want to take the time for a long, drawn-out search, and we didn’t want the expense of employing a headhunter, because we probably would have ended up with more of the same—another D.C. insider.

“We weren’t convinced that’s who we needed in this case.”

Tank truck selection influence

Hodgen, CEO of Groendyke Transport, formed the search committee but intentionally recused himself from the candidate interviews to ensure an impartial process, Clifford said. He also kept Derek Leathers, the incoming ATA chairman, off the committee to prevent any perception of undue influence.

However, Hodgen’s priorities as a bulk hauler are clear.

“As a tank truck operator, I wanted someone who understands that decisions made in Washington eventually show up in the cab, the terminal, and the bottom line,” Hodgen told Bulk Transporter. “Mark understands advocacy must start with the realities of running a trucking company. He knows our industry, he knows our federation, and he knows ATA ultimately has to deliver results for the people who entrust us with their time, their voice, and their resources.”

National Tank Truck Carriers President and CEO Ryan Streblow, who previously collaborated with Colson through the trucking association’s Executives Council, echoed the selection’s importance.

“Mark’s leadership comes at an important time for the trucking industry, and I look forward to working closely with him and the ATA team to build on our strong relationship,” Streblow said in a statement.

Inside the search process

Harold Sumerford Jr., CEO of J&M Tank Lines and past ATA chairman, led the search committee, ensuring a strong tanker presence alongside Clifford. And Rebecca Brewster of the American Transportation Research Institute served as administrative liaison, keeping the rigorous, month-long schedule on track.

The committee reviewed a broad field of applicants, including state association executives, former ATA officials, and senior carrier executives, Clifford said. After scoring resumes, the field was cut in half for virtual interviews spanning up to two hours each.

Following heavy internal discussion, the committee narrowed the field to two final candidates: one “conventional” choice with extensive Washington experience—and Colson, whom Clifford described as a less conventional option. Both finalists then flew to Washington for in-person interviews. “Ultimately, it was a unanimous choice on the less conventional candidate because Mark is not a D.C. insider,” Clifford said. “He’s had D.C. exposure and experience, but that wasn’t his life. But it will be now—and he has a great deal of passion.

“He’s going to energize the staff and membership in a way the other party might not have been able to do.”

Keeping smaller fleets at the table

Clifford, whose West Coast fleet operates 40 trucks, emphasized that having tanker representatives on the committee helped guarantee the sector wasn’t “disadvantaged” during discussions. He also served a dual role as the group’s intermodal representative because Ventura stores and transports ISO tanks, and he previously chaired ATA’s Intermodal Motor Carrier Conference. Clifford noted the committee deliberately avoided candidates whose corporate backgrounds might reinforce the perception that ATA only serves large fleets.

“The image is ATA’s for the big carriers, and the big carriers do have a disproportionate influence because they write the big checks, they’re there, and they can participate,” Clifford noted.

“But 80% of ATA’s membership is smaller than me.”

That’s why, as the next person in line to chair ATA next year, Clifford said he plans to encourage smaller carriers to get involved. “You don’t have to give up a whole heck of a lot of time to have a seat at the table—and if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” he maintained.

“That’s why I’m here.”

Colson, who’s led the Alabama Trucking Association since 2019, officially takes the ATA helm Dec. 1. And when he does, he’ll inherit an advocacy team Clifford says kept the federation’s momentum alive during the transition. “Mark’s going to interject a new level of energy, excitement, and interest,” Clifford said. “The staff needs a shot in the arm—and Mark’s going to give it.”

Consensus for a new era

Clifford isn’t alone in his assessment.

Across the federation, leaders expressed their alignment on the need for the fresh perspective Colson promises to deliver. Statements released by ATA from executives at both the carrier and state association levels—including Leathers, the chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises; and Trucking Association Executives Council Chairman Chris Maxwell—indicated a clear consensus that Colson’s deep roots, energy, and unified vision are exactly what the industry needs to navigate complex regulatory environments across the country.

“It’s been an honor to learn from my fellow state executives, and I’m excited to continue working with them to unleash the full strength of the federation,” Colson said in the ATA release. “We are on the verge of a trucking resurgence, but we must keep fighting and advocating as our industry leaders continue to climb out of one of the deepest and longest freight recessions in history.

“We must meet them where they are, listen to their concerns, and do everything we can to help them and their people be successful.”