Page 26 - ATR 1 2015 web

ment, given the flexibility, in a small
ATA BoARD of office where everybody is in charge of
their own thing,” Newton said. “I was
DIRECToRS SAyS… young, I was really eager, and I jumped
at that opportunity and tried to make
the best of it.”
Eventually, anything the associa-
“Shannon’s unique ability to grasp the situation and bring to the tion was doing to generate resources fell
Board of Directors the pertinent information that we need to make under her umbrella, she said.
informed decisions, her knowledge and love of our industry, and headed in the right
her leadership skills make her a great ambassador to our industry direction
and our Association.” After so many years with one man
— vicki Jones stephens at the helm, some in the industry may
President, C. C. Jones Trucking have wondered where the association
was headed next. Things could have eas-
ily become chaotic. But the ATA direc-
I have worked closely on the ATA board with Shannon for many tors, in the interview process for Kidd’s
years now. She has always been my go to person whenever I had a successor, were certain it would be
question or needed help. We were all very excited to hire her into headed in the right direction by putting
our president role. She was the best choice then and we have been Newton in the president’s chair.
Dan Cushman, the president of
happy ever since. She already had all the knowledge to be in this P.A.M. Transport Inc. in Tontitown, was
role. She is a great people person and navigates dealing with both on the board of director’s six-person
big and small trucking firms like she has done it all her life. Look selection committee that narrowed
forward to working with her for many years to come. the president’s search for the entire

— al heringer iv 21-person board’s vote. He says there
Vice President, Star Transportation, Inc. was some thought of going outside ATA
and finding someone who was already
president of a similar group to lead
“Shannon is a proven leader whose dedication to the mission here, but the committee soon realized
of the Arkansas Trucking Association has resulted in productive its choice was already in the office,
relationships between carriers and strong ties with advocates. I am possessing the ability to restore a solid
foundation at ATA.
continually impressed with her ability to use a collaborative and “I can say confidently and com-
strategic approach to expand the influence of the Association.” fortably that the Arkansas Trucking

— Pat reed Association is as good if not the best
Executive Vice President & Coo, FedEx Freight trucking association there is,” says
Cushman, who had worked outside of
Arkansas until coming to P.A.M. five
Shannon is not only beautiful, she is very well spoken. I’ve worked years ago. “Shannon had the opportu-
with her very closely as a Trustee on our ATA Self Insurers’ fund and nity to learn a lot while working with
have been impressed with her knowledge and skills for many years. Lane all those years. She was second in
command and during that time we saw
— Marr Lynn Bearden strong contribution and leadership from
President, Marrlin Transit, Inc.
her. When we sat down with her in the
interview process, she was so confident
As a new member of the ATA Board, I appreciate Shannon’s and organized. It was clear when we
met with her that she was going to be
professionalism and work ethic. I am honored to serve with her.
our choice and that was our recommen-
— Philip Mahoney dation to the full board.
Executive Vice President, Great West Casualty Company “She’s worked very hard to learn
what is important to the board, what
our goals should be, what our direction

26 arkansas trucking rePort | issue 1 2015