ATA’s Colson aims to foster trust to achieve collective goals

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Advancing trucking’s interests in the coming months will require industry professionals to trust one another and unite behind collective goals, said Mark Colson, the incoming president and CEO of American Trucking Associations. Colson’s appointment was announced Oct. 15, and he will take the reins at ATA on Dec. 1. The federation represents trucking companies of all sizes and types, including truckload and less-than-truckload carriers, private fleets and a broad array of specialized operators. “If we’re not united on the issues, then we’re not going to be successful,” Colson told reporters Oct. 20 during the closing press briefing at ATA’s 2026 Management Conference & Exhibition. “There are too many competing interests. We’ve got to have one voice. “There are some issues that you’re never going to get full consensus on, but most are uniting,” he said. “And I don’t pretend to know all the answers. I’m here to listen, learn, create alignment, build trust, build those relationships.” Flanked by Greg Hodgen, ATA’s outgoing chairman and CEO of bulk hauler Groendyke Transport, and Derek Leathers, incoming chairman of ATA and chairman and CEO of truckload carrier Werner Enterprises, Colson was making his first appearance in front of the trade press since being named the federation’s top executive. Colson joins ATA from the Alabama Trucking Association, where he was president and CEO. Prior to joining the state association, Colson held various leadership roles at the Business Council of Alabama. “Building coalitions is really what I’ve done my entire career because I believe that’s built on earned trust,” he told reporters.…

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