Alabama Trucking Gets a New Leader: What Chris Cooper’s Appointment Means for the Industry

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

SEO title: Chris Cooper Named Interim President of Alabama Trucking Association

Meta description: Chris Cooper will become interim president of the Alabama Trucking Association on December 1, 2026. Here's what his background and priorities could mean for Alabama trucking.

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Running a trucking association is a little like managing a fleet: somebody has to keep the wheels turning, deal with problems before they grow, and make sure everyone knows where the operation is headed.

The Alabama Trucking Association is preparing for a leadership change. The association's board has unanimously selected Chris Cooper, its former chairman and current president of the Alabama Trucking Foundation, to serve as interim president beginning December 1, 2026.

This isn't just a change in the name on the office door. It marks a transition for an organization involved in trucking advocacy, safety, workforce development, and the industry's public image. Here's what we know—and what truckers should watch next.

Why is Alabama Trucking changing leadership?

Current association president Mark Colson has been named the next president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, the national industry organization. Colson has led the Alabama Trucking Association since 2019 and is scheduled to begin his new role on December 1, 2026.

He will continue leading the Alabama organization through the end of November and help with the transition as needed. Cooper's interim appointment gives the state association a leader while it considers its longer-term leadership plans.

The association says it has not yet made decisions about the process or schedule for filling the permanent position. In other words, this is a leadership handoff—not a finished search for the next permanent president.

Who is Chris Cooper?

Cooper brings years of experience in trucking business leadership and association work. He is the former CEO of Boyd Bros. Transportation, a past chairman of the Alabama Trucking Association, and the current president of the Alabama Trucking Foundation.

Trucking is also part of his family history. His grandfather, Dempsey Boyd, helped found Boyd Bros., while his mother, Gail Cooper, also served as chair of the Alabama Trucking Association's board. Chris became the association's first third-generation chairman in 2022.

He learned the business from the ground up, beginning with work washing trucks and trailers at Boyd's headquarters. He later studied accounting at Auburn University and earned an MBA from the University of Alabama before taking on senior leadership responsibilities.

That mix of operational experience and association involvement gives Cooper familiarity with both the business side of trucking and the issues facing the wider industry.

What issues could matter under his leadership?

During his time as chairman, Cooper emphasized workforce development and the professional driver. He supported the Real Faces of Alabama Trucking

campaign, which highlights the people behind the wheel rather than focusing only on trucks and equipment.

His work with the Alabama Trucking Foundation also connects him to highway safety, workforce development, and efforts to improve public understanding of trucking.

Those areas matter because trucking faces challenges that reach beyond moving freight. Carriers need qualified workers, drivers need safe working conditions, and the industry must continue explaining its role in keeping businesses and communities supplied.

However, Cooper's appointment does not automatically establish a new policy agenda. The association has announced his interim role and described his background, but specific new initiatives under his leadership have not been laid out in the announcement.

What does this mean for truck drivers?

For company drivers, owner-operators, and trucking businesses in Alabama, the immediate takeaway is continuity during a leadership transition. The association says its advocacy and other work will continue while it plans for the future.

Drivers should watch for updates involving workforce programs, safety initiatives, regulatory advocacy, and training opportunities. These are areas where a state trucking association can influence discussions and connect members with useful resources.

It is also worth remembering that an industry association represents a broad range of interests. Carrier owners, drivers, fleet managers, and other industry professionals may not always agree on every issue. The important question will be how the association communicates its priorities and how those priorities affect the people doing the work.

The bottom line

Chris Cooper's appointment gives the Alabama Trucking Association an interim leader with deep ties to the industry and a background in both trucking operations and association leadership.

The next chapter is still taking shape. Cooper is scheduled to step into the role on December 1, while the association considers its long-term leadership plans. Until further details emerge, it is best to separate what has been announced from what remains undecided.

For truckers, keep an eye on the issues that affect your career: safety, training, workforce opportunities, and the rules governing the industry. Leadership changes matter most when they translate into practical results on the road.

What do you think? Which issue should trucking associations focus on most—driver recruitment, highway safety, training, or making sure the industry's voice is heard in government? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Keep learning and planning ahead

Thinking about becoming a trucker? Visit LifeAsATrucker.com for trucking information and resources to help you get started.

Interested in making money online while off duty? Visit TruckingOffDutyMoney.com to explore ways to build skills and potential income options outside your driving hours.

Trucking keeps the country moving, but your future deserves a little planning, too.

Source: Alabama Trucking Association's announcement of Chris Cooper's interim appointment, published October 21, 2026.