Clarence James “Mac” McCormick III, chairman & CEO of truckload carrier Best Way Express Inc., died last night in a private plane crash near Lawrenceville, IL—just days before he was to become chairman of the American Trucking Assns. (ATA) at the group’s annual meeting in Dallas this weekend.
“I am both stunned and saddened by the news of Mac McCormick’s death,” said Bill Graves, ATA’s president & CEO, in a letter to the group’s membership. “Mac was a tireless ambassador for the trucking industry. This is truly an enormous loss. Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time.”
“He was more than a rising star in the industry; he was also a great friend,” added Pat Quinn, ATA’s current chairman and co-chairman of Chattanooga, TN-based U.S. Xpress Enterprises. “I considered it a great honor to work with him this past year. He will truly be missed.”
Starting with just four trucks in 1981, McCormick grew Vincennes, IN-based Bestway Express into a 400-unit regional and dedicated carrier.
McCormick, who graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in business administration, most recently served as ATA’s first vice chairman as well as head of ATA’s political action committee and labor and human resources committee. He also worked with the Truckload Carriers Assn. and the Indiana Motor Truck Assn.
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