West Virginian takes the wheel at ATA

West Virginia trucking executive Fred Burns Jr has been named chairman of the American Trucking Associations (ATA). The appointment came as ATA completed its annual Management Conference and Exhibition, held this year in San Antonio TX. Burns will lead the association for the next year.

A Marlinton WV resident, Burns is president of Burns Motor Freight, a family-run trucking operation founded by his father in 1946. The firm operates 100 tractor-trailer units out of its Marlinton headquarters and terminals in Beverly and Sam Black Church WV, specializing in service to the wood products industry.

Burns served as president of the West Virginia Trucking Associations. Within ATA, he has served on its safety, human resources, and technology committees. He founded and later chaired the ATA Small Carrier Committee, and he will continue to serve as chairman of the ATA Insurance Task Force.

Through a combination of direct members, 50 affiliated state trucking associations, and other trucking groups, ATA represents more than 37,000 trucking companies.