Page 31 - Arkansas Trucking Report Volume 23 Issue 2

to make rent, “but it didn’t really mat- spent time in the private sector, in gov- a stoic loyalty to the mission because
ter because you are at work all the ernmental relations at Honeywell and just 6 months after he took the role as
time.” Hyundai. head of the ATA, he delivered a big win
This was the real start of Spear’s But coming back to the Hill to lead despite the toxic environment.
education. He insists that learning the the American Trucking Associations is “You really have to work with what
process comes first, learning the Hill, coming back to a very different envi- you’ve got,” he says. And while others
the Agencies, how a rule is proposed ronment in Washington than when he may see the glass as half-empty or just
and implemented. began over 20 years ago. An ideologi- completely drained, Spear generally
cally toxic political environment, Spear seems optimistic about getting things
TOXICITY IN THE CITY says. He describes the slim working done for his membership — the compa-
“That was back at a time where majority in Congress, the divisiveness, nies, executives and state associations
bills were actually debated and passed. where too many are quick to point fin- that make up the national organization.
They were amended on a pretty regular gers at one another, unwilling to evolve, He points to a specific hours-of-
basis. That doesn’t happen so much change their minds or compromise. service victory to illustrate his strategy
anymore,” he says. “So I have very fond “Associations and other interests and how ATA utilizes every resource to
memories of growing up and learning around town kind of throw up their deliver a measurable return on invest-
the process when it actually did work.” hands and point fingers and blame ment to members, something he says is
Later Spear moved to Sen. Mike the environment that they are in,” he so important for any business to quan-
Enzi (R-Wy.)’s office, served as legisla- explains. “They say it’s too toxic to get tify what it offers.
tive director for Sen. Tim Hutchison anything done.”’ There are problems In Dec. 2016, with the election over
(R-Ark.), before being tapped to work with it, he admits. “But I wouldn’t say and Donald Trump preparing to take
under then-Secretary of Labor Elaine it’s broken. It’s definitely a challenge, over the Oval, Pres. Obama signed a
Chao in 2001. He was the White House but that doesn’t mean you just give up.” bill, “essentially permanently eliminat-
liaison for regulations during the Perhaps something Spear carried ing a rule his own administration put
George W. Bush Administration. away from his coming-of-age in the forth.”
In his 20-something year career, he Cowboy State is a resourcefulness and 

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ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 2 2018 31