largely driven by the auto industry. The commercial sector shares the same roads. If we are talking connected vehi- cle, connected to infrastructure, what is the regulatory framework? I don’t want that being designed and handed to the federal and state regulators by the auto industry,” Spear says. “I want to be at the table and make
sure our industry has got a voice, and whatever is adopted in the future is good for our industry and not harm- ful. That requires just stepping up our game and focusing on what the trends are. Here is a technology that could pos- sibly deal with safety, emissions and the environment. It could deal with produc- tivity. It could deal with driver shortage. There are a lot of defined gains from it, but we need to understand what that’s going to look like and what is required of our industry to make that happen. That’s not clear, so I’m not quick to embrace that as the future, but I’m quick to say that we need to be at the table and drive the outcome.” The regulatory front is always
key for trucking, but without a voting majority on the Hill, Spear says, ATA has to exert some push back on the agencies and try to find some balance to work with regulators in a constructive way and not in a way that’s harmful or harbors an agenda. Spear says the enemy isn’t regula-
tions; it’s bad regulations. “We don’t mind regulations. We are used to them. We just want very good, clear regula- tions. Things that work and can be complied with. We haven’t seen a lot of that lately, and that’s an area of focus that we need to step up and work with the agencies to really help shape what that outcome is going to look like and ensure that it’s not damaging to the industry going forward.” And of course, come November, the
strategy could change, but Spear says that trucking’s story won’t. “You’ve got a Senate here in D.C.
that could flip …And I’m not even going to begin to guess who’s going to be in the White House or what happens to the Senate. What I tell you would prob-
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 4 2016
WE JUST TELL OUR STORY, AND WE USE EVERY RESOURCE WE’VE GOT. IT’S A GOOD STORY AND
IF WE TELL IT RIGHT, IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER TO ME, IN THE END, IF THEY HAVE A D OR AN R AT THE END OF THEIR TITLE. WE HAVE FOUND
SUPPORT IN BOTH PARTIES, JUST BY DOING OUR JOB AND DOING IT RIGHT.”
—ATA PRESIDENT CHRIS SPEAR
ably be wrong a week later. Just a mov- ing target. I don’t worry about it. Largely because it doesn’t change our story. “We’ve won in both democrat-
controlled Senates as well as republican- controlled Senates. We just tell our story, and we use every resource we’ve got. It’s a good story, and if we tell it right, it really doesn’t matter to me, in the end, if they have a D or an R at the end of their title. We have found sup- port in both parties, just by doing our job and doing it right.”
RETURN ON INVESTMENT Elisabeth Barna predicts that one of
the biggest changes members can expect is a defined return on investment. She says after only two weeks on the job, Spear has been on the road visiting nonmembers, former members and cur- rent members. “He has either been on the phone or on an airplane trying to listen and learn and get feedback,” she says.
Spear’s vision is to run the
Association like a business to give members something in return for their engagement. “We represent large and small
companies, and I think it is inherently responsible to think like a business
going forward in order to tell that story effectively and more broadly,” Spear says. “It’s nice to do advocacy and gather and compare notes and share information, but really what I think our members are looking for is a defined ROI, that legislative or regulatory win. And that takes us working with all sectors of industry, all other coalition partners.” Barna encourages members and
stakeholders to reach out with thoughts, suggestions and ideas because the ATA is all ears. “There’s no criticism from the last 14 years. I mean the governor did a great job. The world is chang- ing, and politics are changing here in Washington. It’s a lot different from when he started,” she says. Spear is optimistic about all the
changes and wants members to be as well. “We have proven we can do it, and I think going forward, if we keep look- ing for that ROI, members will be excit- ed to be part of ATA. They will see the value and the pride it gives to the indus- try, waving this banner here in D.C. I’m very much looking forward to putting some wins on the board and showing members that their hard-earned dues are paying off.” ATR
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