ATA Announces Senior Staff Promotions

ARLINGTON, Va., July 17, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves announced several promotions of key professionals to the Association's Senior Staff team. These promotions will strengthen ATA and build upon the association's effectiveness in representing the interests of the trucking industry across the country.

"ATA has a talented group of staff dedicated to the priorities and success of our members and the overall trucking industry," Graves said. "The promotion of these individuals is well-deserved and a reflection of their success in their respective positions and commitment to our vital industry."

Effective immediately, Chief Economist and Vice President Bob Costello has been promoted to senior vice president and Elisabeth Barna, vice president of image and outreach advocacy, has been promoted to senior vice president of communications and public affairs. ATA's Controller Rusty Duckworth has been promoted to senior vice president and Controller and Vice President of Human Resources and Operations Kay Perkins has been promoted to senior vice president, human resources and operations.

Costello has been with ATA since 1997, and manages all of ATA's collection, analysis and dissemination of trucking economic information, as well as conducts economic analyses of proposed regulations and legislation affecting the trucking industry. Costello, generally recognized as the leading voice on the business of trucking, is often cited by leading media outlets like CNBC, Fox Business Channel, the Wall Street Journal and National Public Radio.

Barna rejoined ATA in 2005 and has over 23 years in the trucking industry. She leads ATA's image and outreach efforts, including the America's Road Team and Share the Road programs, as well as the new industry-wide image movement, Trucking Moves America Forward. As part of her promotion, she will manage ATA's communications and public affairs strategy, working to ensure ATA is the most powerful voice on behalf of the trucking industry. Barna serves as secretary-treasurer of the Trucking Associations Executive Council and as vice chairman of Trucker Buddy International.

Duckworth has been with ATA since 1999, and manages all of ATA's finance operations, including ATA's investment portfolio. Duckworth, with over 25 years in accounting and financial management, is a member of the Controller's Group of Washington, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and American Society of Association Executives.

Perkins has been with ATA since 1998 and is responsible for all human resource functions and building operations, as well as having oversight for the association's real estate. With over 30 years of experience in the association arena, Perkins serves on several Compensation and Benefit panels and is a member of Society of Human Resource Management, American Society of Association Executives, the American Society of Training and Development and the American Management Association.

"It is my belief that this team will help implement ATA's strategic plan and continually strive to make ATA stronger in their advocacy, communications and operations efforts on behalf of our members," Graves said.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward 

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SOURCE American Trucking Associations