Page 46 - ATR 3 2022 digital

Game Plan for Success

Recap of the 2022 ATA Annual Conference & Vendor Showcase

Arkansas Trucking Association
celebrated 90 years of trucking in the
state at its annual business conference
and vendor showcase in Hot Springs on
May 11-13. This year’s schedule included
six forums, the election of new board
members, two luncheons with special
guests, networking opportunities and
featured speaker Gus Malzahn, the
championship-winning college football Guest Speaker Gov. Asa Hutchinson  Gov. Asa Hutchinson, ATA’s 2022
coach. The event attracted 298 attend- recounted the wins he has claimed for Driver of the Year Wyatt Jepsen (Walmart
ees, representing 128 companies to the infrastructure and the business com- Transportation) and Shannon Newton
(ATA)
Hot Springs Convention Center. munity in Arkansas throughout the
Wednesday morning began last 8 years he served as governor and
with the opening of the 2022 vendor he congratulated the ATA membership
showcase and networking opportu- and the winners of the safety awards
nity — Lattes with Law Enforcement. for also serving the state safely and reli-
Attendees were invited to meet new ably and delivering wins to communi-
Arkansas Highway Police Chief Jeff ties throughout the hardships of the
Holmes along with other law enforce- pandemic, supply chain challenges and
ment and compliance representa- rising fuel costs.
tives from Arkansas Highway Police After lunch, ATA Chairman
and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Mark Morris, president of Morris
Administration. Transportation Services, and Newton
The official kickoff began with ATA delivered reports on the state of the
president Shannon Newton welcom- association’s finances, membership,
ing attendees to the awards luncheon workers’ compensation, governmental
to recognize the winners of the 2021 affairs and councils. The business meet-
Corporate Fleet Safety Awards. Winners ing concluded when Morris announced
included Driver of the Year, Wyatt Jeff Loggins, president of Jonesboro-
Jepsen of Walmart Transportation, LLC based Loggins Logistics, as the next
and Safety Professional of the Year, chairman. Other new Board members
Russ Curbo of Lew Thompson & Son were also ratified: Neil Corder, presi-
Trucking. FedEx Express received the dent of Wayne Smith Trucking, filled
overall grand champion award with the vacant at-large position, and Todd  Coach Gus Malzahn (University of
over 9 million miles on Arkansas high- Venable, branch manager of MHC Central Florida)
ways and no DOT accidents all year. 

46 Issue 3 2022 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT