12 Trucking Leaders, 180 Years of Experience — And a Lot of Miles Behind the Scenes

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

12 Trucking Leaders, 180 Years of Experience — And a Lot of Miles Behind the Scenes

Trucking gets plenty of attention when freight rates fall, regulations change, or a highway shuts down. But who recognizes the people working behind the scenes to keep the industry moving? The American Trucking Associations just did.

Let’s be honest: trucking headlines usually show up when something goes wrong. A rule changes, a shipment gets delayed, or somebody in an office decides the industry needs another stack of paperwork.

But trucking also runs on people who spend years building relationships, solving problems, representing businesses, and pushing the industry forward. On October 20, 2026, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) recognized 12 trucking association leaders for their service to the industry and the ATA Federation.

And here’s the impressive part: together, these honorees bring 180 years of experience to the table. That’s a lot of meetings, phone calls, policy debates, and probably enough coffee to fuel a small distribution center.

Who Earned Recognition?

The ATA’s Trucking Association Executives Council (TAEC) recognized leaders from state trucking associations and industry organizations. Here’s who was honored and how long they have served:

• 30 years: John Hausladen, president and CEO of the Minnesota Trucking Association.


• 20 years: Paul J. Enos, CEO of the Nevada Trucking Association; John D. Esparza, president and CEO of the Texas Trucking Association; Tom Balzer, president and CEO of the Ohio Trucking Association; and Tom Crawford, president and CEO of the Missouri Trucking Association.


• 15 years: Gary Langston, president and CEO of the Indiana Motor Truck Association; Matthew Hart, executive director of the Illinois Trucking Association; and Chris Maxwell, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Trucking Association.


• 10 years: Sheri Call, representing Washington Trucking Associations.


• 5 years: Rebecca Oyler, president of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association; Jon Eisen, executive director of ATA’s Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference; and Ryan Streblow, president and CEO of National Tank Truck Carriers.

What Do Trucking Association Leaders Actually Do?

If you picture association executives sitting around eating donuts and talking about trucks, you’re missing a big part of the job.

According to ATA, these leaders help members navigate challenges, support advocacy efforts, build partnerships, communicate industry concerns, and work on solutions that affect trucking businesses. They often serve as a link between companies, policymakers, and the broader transportation community.

That work can influence issues that matter to fleets and the people who work for them—from regulations and business conditions to the public understanding of trucking’s role in the economy.

It’s not the same job as hauling freight, maintaining equipment, dispatching loads, or managing a terminal. But those roles are connected. Decisions made in policy discussions and association meetings can eventually affect the people working out on the road.

Why Experience Matters in Trucking

Trucking is a complicated business. It operates across state lines, depends on reliable infrastructure, and must adapt to changing rules, customer demands, technology, and economic conditions.

Experienced industry leaders can bring historical knowledge to those conversations. They may remember why a previous policy was introduced, how members responded to an earlier challenge, or which partnerships helped solve a problem.

That doesn’t mean experience makes someone right about every issue. The industry still needs fresh ideas, new voices, and honest debate. But long-term service can provide valuable context when trucking faces another round of change.

Recognition Is Good. Results Matter, Too.

Industry awards are a chance to thank people who have committed years to serving trucking. They also offer a reminder that the industry depends on more than trucks, trailers, fuel, and freight contracts.

At the same time, recognition should be the beginning of the conversation, not the end. The real measure of industry leadership is whether the work helps members solve problems, improves communication, supports responsible policies, and keeps trucking competitive and sustainable.

Drivers and other frontline workers deserve a place in that conversation, too. Their day-to-day experience can help leaders understand how policies and business decisions work in the real world—not just on a conference-room screen.

The Bottom Line

Twelve leaders. A combined 180 years of experience. One industry that never stops moving.

The ATA’s recognition shines a light on people whose work often happens away from the cab but still helps shape trucking’s future. Their service is worth acknowledging—and the industry will benefit when experience, new ideas, and frontline perspectives all have a seat at the table.

Because keeping America moving takes more than horsepower. It takes people who know the business, people willing to improve it, and people who remember that every industry decision eventually affects somebody doing the work.

Keep Building Your Future in Trucking

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Source: American Trucking Associations — “ATA Recognizes 12 Trucking Leaders for Service to Industry,” October 20, 2026.

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