ROUNDUP T RU C K I N G I N D U S T RY
Adrian Bone joins ATA as communications and marketing fellow
The Alabama Trucking Association is proud to introduce Adrian Bone of New Market, Ala. as its new marketing and communications fellow for summer 2020. Adrian is a recent graduate from Troy University Adrian Bone with a degree in economics where he served on the Sorrell College of Business Advisory Board and was a Senator with the school’s SGA. Active in his community, he is a regular volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club, coaching football and softball and spearheaded a charity kickball tournament called Kick Out Cancer with all proceeds going to Russell Hill Cancer Foundation. He is an accomplished photographer and operates a photography business in his spare time. He will assist the ATA staff with various projects mainly supporting the Association’s marketing and communications efforts. We’re honored to have Adrian helping us this summer, and we look forward to using his many talents while we seek ways to help him grow professionally.
Southland Transportation taps Andrew Linn as its new president Southland Transportation Group has announced the promotion of Andrew Linn as its new President effective June 1, 2020. Meanwhile, his father and company founder Drew Linn will continue with the organization as CEO. Andrew Linn “I am excited to announce this promotion,” Drew said in a statement. “Andrew is passionate about this industry, and we will see great things under his leadership. I’ve seen him embrace complex circumstances and turn them into wonderful opportunities. Andrew is well respected within our organization and throughout the industry.” Andrew, who steps up to his new role from 32
company vice president, will now lead daily operations for the dealership’s five locations across Alabama. “Our passion here at Southland is providing exceptional products and services for our customers,” Andrew said. “Over the last couple of years, we’ve taken meaningful steps that will allow us to continue to serve their needs in so many ways. The energy level here is at an all-time high, and our entire staff is committed and ready to go work for our customers. We’re all very excited about the future.” A native of Tuscaloosa, Andrew graduated from the University of Alabama in 2007 and later began his career with Navistar Inc., the parent company and manufacturer of International Trucks and IC Buses. As a vocational sales manager, Andrew specialized in government and municipal applications in the midwestern U.S., where he excelled and gained experience with the OEM. After putting in three years with Navistar, he returned to Alabama in 2011 to join the family business. Andrew is a graduate of the American Truck Dealer Academy and a board member of the Alabama Trucking Association. He resides in Homewood with his wife, Tiffany, and their two children.
ATA joins national initiative to address inequality of opportunity The Alabama Trucking Association (ATA) announced June 5 that it is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on a national initiative to address inequality of opportunity. ATA will join the U.S. Chamber’s national town hall event on June 25 where business and community leaders will discuss concrete actions that can be taken by government and private sectors to address inequality through education, employment, entrepreneurship, and criminal justice reform. As a partner for this important initiative, ATA will also actively create local and industry dialogues to further the discussion. “The trucking industry and the people in it, have an immense opportunity and obligation to positively influence equality and take an actionable stand against social injustice and racism,” said Alabama Trucking Association President and CEO Mark Colson. “Taking action comes in many forms: changing practices, making sacrifices, and listening
to understand. Hundreds of thousands of Black Americans proudly work in the trucking industry and now is the time for action.” This national initiative will build on the work already undertaken by ATA to fight injustice and abuse exemplified in the partnership with Truckers Against Trafficking, which has rescued thousands of human trafficking victims and brought justice to their abusers. “The moral case for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace is indisputable, and there’s overwhelming evidence that greater diversity benefits the American economy, businesses, communities and employees,” said U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark. “We are proud to partner with the Alabama Trucking Association on this initiative and help develop a robust plan of action.”
ATA cancels 2020 Convention, announces plans for fall event to celebrate the industry Alabama Trucking Association officials made it official last month that it would be unable to reschedule its 2020 Annual Convention due to the COVID-19 emergency orders from the federal government and the state of Florida, and the ongoing health crisis and its economic and logistical impacts. ATA officials had held onto hope to reschedule the event this summer or fall and had even worked out a tentative arrangement with the Hilton Sandestin for dates in July or November. “However, considering the uncertainty with government emergency orders, health risks, coupled with market uncertainty following a lengthy shutdown of the Nation’s economy, we believe it’s best to not reschedule the convention in 2020 and move forward with an alternative celebration of the amazing job the trucking industry has done in keeping our Nation going during these difficult times,” stated ATA Chairman Tom McLeod in a recent email to members. “We are currently working on a celebration dinner to coincide with the 2020 ATA Golf Classic set for September 22 at the Robert Trent Jones Capitol Hill Course in Prattville,” he added. “While we have not finalized details for this, tentatively, the celebration dinner will be held at the Prattville Marriott on A LABAMA T RUCKER • 2 ND Q UARTER 2020
