Former U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon will soon lead the Arizona Trucking Association as president and CEO, the group announced Nov. 2.
Salmon’s appointment was approved by the group’s board during the organization’s annual meeting Oct. 26. He begins Dec. 7, an association representative said in an email to Trucking Dive.
Salmon succeeds Tony Bradley who stepped down in September after nearly 14 years in the role to join UPS in Phoenix as director of state public affairs. Bradley led the Arizona Trucking Association from February 2013 until September this year, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Arizona Trucking Association Board Chairman Parker Hancock said Salmon’s time in public service and experience with government relations and leading trade associations will be an asset to the organization. Salmon will provide insight into policy and advocacy challenges facing association members, Hancock said.
Salmon served two stints in Congress as a member of the Republican Party. The first was from 1995 to 2001 as the District 1 representative then later from 2013 to 2017 as the District 5 representative, according to Congress.gov.
Salmon was also previously president of the Competitive Telecommunications Association, now known as INCOMPAS, per the release. He is also a former Arizona state senator and previously served as VP of government affairs at Arizona State University, where he oversaw federal, state, community and tribal relations.
“His background will be an asset as ATA continues to build relationships with decision makers and advance the interests of Arizona’s trucking industry,” Hancock said.
Arizona’s trucking industry employs more than 125,000 people across the state, who deliver goods used daily by 85% of the state’s residents, the press release said. The Arizona Trucking Association has about 300 member companies, per the press release. Over 10,000 trucking companies operate in the state.
“I look forward to working with ATA’s members to ensure their perspectives are heard, their concerns are taken seriously, and the industry has a seat at the table as decisions are made that affect its future,” Salmon said in the press release.
