The American Trucking Associations (ATA) announced 14 participants in its 2026–2027 LEAD ATA class on October 17 during the organization’s Management Conference & Exhibition in Charlotte, North Carolina. The incoming group represented motor carriers, truck manufacturers, technology providers, and other businesses serving the trucking industry.
Now entering its 14th class, LEAD ATA is a year-long leadership development program designed to give participants a broader understanding of the issues affecting trucking. The program combines industry education, professional networking, and opportunities to learn about ATA’s work on transportation policies and industry initiatives.
What the LEAD ATA Program Includes
Participants will take part in educational sessions examining ATA’s advocacy efforts, legislative engagement, public image campaigns, and strategic priorities. The program also provides opportunities to meet professionals from other areas of trucking, allowing class members to learn about industry issues beyond their individual companies.
Each participant will complete an individual project involving local outreach and efforts to promote the trucking industry. According to ATA, applicants were selected through a competitive process that considered professional accomplishments, commitment to development, and leadership potential.
The program is sponsored by Tenstreet and Driver’s Legal Plan, with graduates joining an alumni network that includes professionals throughout the trucking industry.
Meet the 2026–2027 LEAD ATA Class
The 14 newly selected participants represent businesses involved in freight transportation, equipment manufacturing, technology, and professional services.
- Mitchell Ashkenaz, FedEx Freight
- Andrew Bellenger, McLeod Software
- Christina Davis, FedEx Freight
- Adam Field, Cummins Inc.
- Earl Heard, Walmart Transportation
- David Ice, FedEx Freight
- Zaheer Iqbal, NIC Federal LLC, a Tyler Technologies Company
- Keaton Klepper, Drivers Legal Plan
- Andrew Nichols, PGT Trucking Inc.
- Melanie Simard, ISAAC Instruments
- Michael Solarz, GLCS Inc.
- Ben Steines, Ruan
- Ashley Thomas, Volvo Trucks North America
- Kyle Wright, Hyundai Translead
ATA Chief Advocacy and Public Affairs Officer Henry Hanscom said the program was intended to help participants develop the industry knowledge, relationships, and practical experience needed to contribute to the future of trucking.
Nikki Thomas, ATA’s vice president of industry affairs, also emphasized the professional relationships formed through the program, noting that participants become part of a wider alumni network after completing their year of training.
Previous Class Completes the Program
The announcement coincided with the graduation of the 2025–2026 LEAD ATA class, which included 16 professionals representing carriers, manufacturers, industry associations, and transportation service providers.
The graduating participants were Jordan Atwater of TrueNorth Companies; Melissa Hetland of GLCS Inc.; Nicholas Hettel of Cummins Inc.; Jorie Justice of FedEx Custom Critical; Cecila Kelly of PrePass; Joshua Lang of Roehl Transport; Josh McAlister of Tenstreet; Scott Metroff of International Motors; John Millican of Hyundai Translead; Priscilla Pantoja Johnson of the Laredo Motor Carrier Association; Catherine Shepherd of Revoy; Carlo Solorzano of Driver iQ; Maddie Sullivan of Volvo Trucks North America; Covey Thompson of The Martin Brower Co.; Taylor Vandersteenhoven of Chain; and Joe White of The DDC Group.
The new class will continue the program over the coming year, completing its coursework and individual outreach projects while participating in ATA’s leadership development activities.
Additional information about the program is available through the American Trucking Associations’ LEAD ATA webpage.
The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.
Last Updated: October 22, 2026
Source: The Trucker
Image Source: ATA
