ATA appoints new senior management team

Leadership changes at the American Trucking Associations continued under new President and CEO Chris Spear, as the industry group named new executive vice presidents of legal affairs, communications and public affairs, and advocacy.    American Trucking Associations (ATA) is continuing to shake up its management under new President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Spear, naming four new members of the senior leadership team.
   The industry association last week removed Karla Hulett, former executive vice president of finance and chief operating officer; Jeff Mason, EVP of national advocacy; and Dave Osiecki, EVP of communications and public affairs, as well as the head of ATA’s news outlet, Transport Topics, since January 2014.
   ATA yesterday appointed Jennifer Hall as general counsel and EVP of legal affairs, Sue Hensley as EVP of communications and public affairs, and Bill Sullivan, EVP of advocacy. In addition, the association confirmed last week’s announcement that Elisabeth Barna has been named to the new position of chief operating officer and executive vice president of industry affairs.
   A trucking industry veteran with nearly 20 years at ATA and eight at the Motor Freight Carriers Association, Barna most recently served as senior vice president of communications and public affairs. ATA said she has already started in her role.
   Hall, who will begin at ATA on Sept. 3, most recently served as general counsel and deputy staff director for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but also has extensive experience in the executive branch, including the Department of Homeland Security, as well as in the private sector.
   Hensley comes to ATA from the National Restaurant Association, where she was senior vice president of public affairs and communications. Prior to that, she served as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Labor, associate administrator for the Small Business Administration, and House and Senate communications director for former Sen. Tim Hutchinson, R-Ark. Hensley will begin at ATA on Aug. 15.
   Sullivan, who will also join ATA on Aug. 15, is a former legislative director for Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., as well as previous stints at the Department of Justice and with Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.
   “ATA is embarking on a transition and driving in a new direction, one I am proud to lead and prouder still to have these fine individuals and all the ATA staff play a part in,” Spear said of the appointments. “We share the vision and goal of ensuring this essential industry continues to prosper and safely move our country forward.”
   “As ATA forges this new path forward, we are lucky to have quality leaders like Elisabeth, Jennifer, Sue and Bill join our already tremendous professional staff,” added ATA Chairman Pat Thomas, senior vice president for state government affairs at UPS Inc. “On behalf of the members of ATA, I’d like to congratulate all of them and wish them nothing but success in their new roles.”
   ATA said it will announce additional leadership appointments will be made in the coming weeks as the association continues to transition under Spear’s leadership.