Podcast: New ATA chairman on drivers, tankers, regs, and trucking's future

In this episode of The Fleet Lead, American Trucking Associations' new chairman Greg Hodgen, CEO of Groendyke Transport, joins The Fleet Lead to discuss the driver shortage, tariffs and regulation, innovation and technology in tank trucking, and what he is looking ahead to in 2026.
Dec. 17, 2025
Josh Fisher | FleetOwner
tank truck fleet lead

The American Trucking Associations' (ATA's) new chairman and Groendyke Transport's CEO, Greg Hodgen, thinks of himself as an optimist, while others call him a realist. But both perspectives are on display in this episode of The Fleet Lead, where Hodgen and Bulk Transporter Editor Jason McDaniel sat down for a frank conversation about the transportation industry, with a special focus on tank trailers. From discussing the shortage of drivers versus qualified drivers to tort reform and beyond, McDaniel and Hodgen cover the spectrum of realism to optimism in trucking while looking ahead to 2026.

Catch this episode of The Fleet Lead podcast here or search for The Fleet Lead on your favorite podcast app.

Chapter index:

  • 1:04 - Hodgen's road to the industry and ATA leadership
  • 5:00 - Drivers vs qualified drivers
  • 11:53 - The importance of innovation in tank trucking
  • 14:01 - Government and regulations
  • 23:58 - Tort reform and cybersecurity
  • 31:19 - Looking ahead for 2026
  • 37:31 - Appreciating the trucking industry
Contributors:

About the Author

Jason McDaniel

Jason McDaniel

Jason McDaniel, based in the Houston TX area, has nearly 20 years of experience as a journalist. He spent 15 writing and editing for daily newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, and began covering the commercial vehicle industry in 2018. He was named editor of Bulk Transporter and Refrigerated Transporter magazines in July 2020.

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