Chris Spear, CEO of the American Trucking Associations, Departs Effective Immediately

Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), officially stepped down on Friday, August 7, effective immediately. The news came from a statement released by the association that day.press release。

The press release did not specify the reason for Spear's departure. He had served as the association's top executive since 2016. The ATA board will form a search committee to find the next president and CEO, but the press release provided no specific timeline.

ATA Chairman Greg Hodgen praised Spear's achievements and his contributions to the association and the trucking industry.

"During his tenure, the ATA achieved significant policy victories, strengthened its advocacy operations, and elevated the voice of the trucking industry in Washington," Hodgen said in the press release.

The key trucking organization, which represents tens of thousands of carriers, had previouslypublicly praised Spearfor his leadership and contributions to the industry, including progress on major policy priorities such as federal infrastructure, lawsuit abuse reform, interstate commerce protection, and opposition to truck-only tolling.

In an interview with Trucking Dive in early August, Spear discussed the regulatory victories the industry achieved in the first half of 2026.

He noted that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposedrevising parts of its 2023 heavy-duty diesel truck nitrogen oxide regulations, which, if finalized, could save truckers $12 billion and reduce new truck costs by up to $6,000 per vehicle. Spear also acknowledged the move to rescind the Biden administration'sindependent contractor rule. Rescinding the rule would reduce the number of criteria drivers must meet to qualify as independent contractors.

The ATA had previouslycriticized the Biden administration's changes to the definition of independent contractors, calling them "opaque and deliberately confusing," aimed at "depriving self-employed individuals of the freedom to choose to work as independent contractors."

Spear said the change would make the rule "easier to comply with, and the rule should be completed by the end of the year."

Spear also mentioned that the industry received a major safety boost as federal regulators cracked down onthe issuance of non-local commercial driver's licensesand increased requirements forEnglish language proficiency. He said the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposed removing driving schools from the national training registry for safety standard violations, which was another victory for the industry.removal, was another victory for the industry.

"A lot of work was done in the first half of the year, and I think we will continue to see many results in the second half," Spear said, noting that the industry achieved these accomplishments amid what he described as "one of the most politically divisive environments I have witnessed in my 30 years in this work."

"It shows that our message resonates with both parties, and I think that is a sign of unity," Spear said. "There are many people who just like to say 'no, no, no' to everything and criticize without offering any solutions to problems. We focus on getting things done."

Under Spear's leadership, Hodgen noted, the association has built an experienced team that will continue to advance the industry's priorities.

"From our policy experts and technical professionals to our government affairs and communications teams, we have a world-class operation that delivers results for members together," Hodgen said. "This depth, expertise, and shared sense of purpose will continue to drive our association forward, no matter who is at the helm."

The ATA in 2024approved a contract extension for Spear, extending the five-year agreement he signed in 2021. The extension required him to lead the organization through 2029.

Spear has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, having previously served as vice president of government affairs at Hyundai Motor Co., as a Senate aide, and as an assistant secretary at the Department of Labor in the early 2000s.