ATA taps Sharma as senior vp & general counsel

Prasad Sharma has been promoted to senior vice president and general counsel for the American Trucking Assns. (ATA). Also, Richard Pianka has been hired as the new vice president and deputy chief counsel, replacing Sharma.

“I’m extremely pleased to be able to promote Prasad and have a great deal of confidence he will continue to provide the first-rate legal guidance and service that our members have come to expect from ATA,” said ATA president & CEO Gov. Bill Graves. “ATA is also fortunate to be able to add an attorney of Rich’s stature and ability to our team and we expect great things from him in the years to come.”

Since joining ATA in 2000, Sharma has focused on the association’s business activities, cargo claims, and motor carrier operations issues. He also led ATA’s Highway Watch program from 2007-2009.

Sharma replaces Robert Digges, who has retired.

Pianka joins ATA from the firm of Mayer Brown LLP, where he specialized in general and appellate litigation.