Greg Hodgen, American Trucking Associations chairman and Groendyke Transport CEO, recently hosted U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) at one of Groendyke’s newest truck terminals in South Tulsa, Oklahoma. The visit featured an in-depth facility tour and a policy roundtable focused on protecting the trucking industry’s ability to safely and efficiently move America’s freight.

During the visit, Hern met with Groendyke employees across a range of operational roles—including drivers, terminal personnel, and dispatchers—to learn more about the company’s Oklahoma operations. He also had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Groendyke truck to experience firsthand the skill, professionalism, and cutting-edge equipment that define modern trucking.

Following the tour, the congressman participated in a roundtable discussion led by Hodgen alongside senior members of Groendyke leadership, Oklahoma Trucking Association Chairman Robert Ragan of Melton Truck Lines, and Josh McAlister of Tenstreet. The conversation centered heavily on the mounting toll that lawsuit abuse and third-party litigation financing are taking on trucking companies, professional drivers, and the prices consumers pay at the store.

“Congressman Hern understands the critical role trucking plays in powering Oklahoma’s economy and keeping America’s supply chain moving,” Hodgen said in a news release. “We appreciated the opportunity to showcase the professionalism of our drivers and employees while discussing the serious challenges that lawsuit abuse and third-party litigation financing are creating for our industry. We are grateful for Congressman Hern’s leadership on these issues and his willingness to engage directly with trucking professionals on the front lines.”

Combating predatory litigation

Roundtable participants thanked Hern for sponsoring the Tackling Predatory Litigation Funding Act, legislation aimed at closing a tax loophole that has created a perverse incentive for deep-pocketed investors to pour vast sums of money into civil litigation in hopes of obtaining an outsized return. Attendees also discussed several additional legislative proposals aimed at curbing lawsuit abuse, including the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act, the FAIR Trucking Act, the Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act, and the Protecting Third-Party Litigation Funding from Abuse Act.

Noting that trucking provides nearly 100,000 good-paying jobs in Oklahoma, Hodgen emphasized that long-term industry stability depends on legislative relief.

“In order to thrive, our industry depends on a fair legal environment that rewards safety and accountability rather than encouraging excessive litigation,” Hodgen noted. “The policies discussed today would help reduce fraud, increase transparency, and ensure that trucking companies can continue delivering the goods Americans depend on every day.”

Tort reform has been a focal point of Hodgen’s tenure as ATA chairman. In a recent podcast interview with Bulk Transporter, Hodgen expanded on the industry’s ongoing battle against nuclear verdicts, while addressing the nuances of driver retention versus qualifying top-tier talent, and sharing his outlook on the future of bulk logistics.

A legacy of safety and advocacy

The emphasis on safe, accountable operations showcased during Hern’s visit reflects a longstanding commitment at Groendyke.

The carrier has frequently spearheaded industry safety initiatives, including the early adoption of advanced equipment. For instance, when Truck-Lite secured an FMCSA exemption for auxiliary pulsating brake lamps, it followed earlier successful exemption petitions led by Groendyke Transport and National Tank Truck Carriers to reduce rear-end collisions.

The South Tulsa event and Hodgen’s national leadership carry forward a proud legacy for the Enid, Oklahoma-based carrier. The company continues to honor the memory of long-time Groendyke chairman and past NTTC chair John D. Groendyke, who died in June at age 81. Over his decades of leadership, John Groendyke built the fleet into a North American powerhouse operating more than 1,000 trucks and 1,600 tank trailers, establishing the foundation of safety, service, and industry advocacy Hodgen champions today.