CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — Mark Colson said being named the next president of the American Trucking Associations is something that he takes “with great responsibility.”
Colson, who will be the advocacy group’s next president and CEO effective Dec. 1, addressed attendees at ATA’s 2026 Management Conference and Exhibition Monday. He was asked by board chairman and Groendyke Transport CEO Greg Hodgen following a fireside chat he completed with incoming board chair and Werner Enterprises CEO Derek Leathers.
Colson noted it was humbling to be standing before conference attendees and acknowledged how difficult it was for him to leave the Alabama Trucking Association. He said he’s motivated professionally and personally by the values and hard-work ethic instilled in him through his family and the Alabama trucking industry.
“I love my Alabama trucking family and one of the hardest things about this is leaving that, graduating from that,” Colson said. He added that being ATA’s next president and CEO “is the greatest honor of a lifetime.”
Colson thanked his mentors, including William Canary who served as ATA president and CEO from 2001 to 2003.
Canary said in a LinkedIn post that Colson earned the ATA president and CEO appointment “through hard work, sound judgment and a genuine commitment to serving others.”
“What makes this moment especially meaningful is the privilege of having worked together as colleagues and witnessing his growth as a leader,” Canary said. “I take enormous personal pride in his achievement and have every confidence in his ability to lead ATA into a successful new chapter.”
Colson said fighting for the trucking industry is in his DNA. He developed his work ethic working in his family’s tire shop and watching his family operate a small business.
“I believe our perspective is shaped by our values and our experiences,” he said.
Colson said his parents are in their mid-70s, still working full time and never talk about retirement.
The trucking industry is accustomed to hard work, Colson said. “It’s a gritty industry, and I love that,” he said.
As the trucking industry continues recovering from a prolonged freight downturn, Colson said now is the time to listen to ATA members’ needs.
“I think we have to have great empathy for the companies and leaders,” he said, referring to what they’ve been through. He is calling on the organization to listen to their needs and meet members where they are in these challenging times.
Colson said his priority is to build trust among ATA’s members.
“I ask for the opportunity to earn your trust for the members, people who aren’t members, [and] people who may be critical,” he said.
