Arkansas Trucking Association names 5 new board members

The Arkansas Trucking Association added five new members to its board of directors at its recent annual conference held in Hot Springs Aug. 25-27.

The following members were elected to join the trade association’s board:

• Michael Barr, CEO, JM Bozeman Enterprises Inc. – Malvern, Ark.
• Rob Kibbe, Managing Director, Client Service Leader – Transportation & Logistics Practice, Aon – Little Rock, Ark.
• Lance Moll, President & CEO, FedEx Freight – Memphis, Tenn.
• Seth Runser, President, ABF Freight – Fort Smith, Ark.
• Patrick Simmons, Vice President – Transportation, Tyson Foods, Inc. – Springdale, Ark.

Board Chairman Mark Morris, president and CEO of Hamburg-based Morris Transportation Services, was re-elected to a second term.

“We are happy to welcome these industry leaders to our board of directors, and congratulate Chairman Mark Morris on being elected to a second term,” said Shannon Newton, president, Arkansas Trucking Association.

“Our board is made up of a diverse group of professionals, reflecting carriers and allied companies of all sizes, specialties and geographies that make up our association. Each of these directors plays a key role in helping identify and address priorities for the entire Arkansas trucking industry. With transportation equating to one in every 10 jobs in the state, that’s a significant responsibility and one we’re confident they can fulfill,” she said.

At its conference, the ATA announced its 2020 Driver of the Year and Safety Professional of the Year.

Dean Roberts, a professional driver for Dedicated Logistics, a carrier headquartered in Crossett, was named driver of the year. Roger Carson, vice president of safety at Oakley Trucking, Inc. in North Little Rock, was awarded the safety professional honor.

Each year, the Arkansas Trucking Association recognizes one driver for their strong and noteworthy professional qualifications, experience and performance and one safety professional for their qualifications, safety program and safety achievements.

Roberts has been a professional truck driver for 38 years, having spent the past nearly 13 years with Dedicated Logistics. Over his career, he has accumulated over 5 million accident-free miles and is a member of his company’s Million Mile Accident-Free Club.

Carson of Oakley Trucking, Inc., is well-known in the Arkansas trucking industry with four decades of experience, including more than 20 years in safety, specifically. Carson’s experience spans from driver to operations, from safety to legal representative. Most recently, Carson led an initiative to add outward-facing cameras to Oakley’s trucks to help reduce accidents, and he has developed a new safety bonus program.