ATA elects Tom McLeod as new Chairman
The Alabama Trucking Association Board of Directors gathered in Montgomery, Ala. June 25, 2019 for its final meeting of the 2018-2019 fiscal year. Among the meeting highlights was the Board’s selection of Tom McLeod of McLeod Software as its Chairman for the upcoming fiscal year (which begins July 1).
McLeod is a thought leader in the transportation industry, specifically on the use of current and upcoming information technology to support trucking and brokerage operations. His company has grown to more than 450 employees and is among the region’s largest software development companies.
He’s been active in the Alabama Trucking Association for three decades and has served on its executive board for more than 20 years.
He’s also involved with the American Trucking Associations and Truckload Carriers Association, holding several leadership positions for both organizations. He graduated from W. A. Berry High School in 1972 and from Samford University (Cum Laude) in 1976. He is active at Valleydale Church and has been married to his wife, Annette, for 41 years.
“Thank you for the confidence in me to lead ATA,” McLeod said. “The trucking industry has been so incredible to me and my family through the years. There are so many wonderful and talented people in Alabama’s trucking industry that it’s not surprising to that it’s so vital to our state’s economy. I look forward to helping this Association in any way I can. It’s truly an honor and a privilege to be a part of this great organization.”
The Board also added four new members-at-large, including Bo Cross of Gulf Coast Truck & Equipment Co.; Andrew Linn of Southland Transportation Group; Harold Smith of Montgomery Transport, LLC; and Gaines Thomas of Evergreen Transport, LLC.
McLeod’s first order of business was to recognize his predecessor, outgoing Chairman Fenn Church of Church Transportation, for his incredible work as the Association’s top elected official.
“Fenn did an outstanding job as our leader this past year,” McLeod said. “His agenda included initiatives to bolster ATA member services, increase membership involvement in Association events and special projects – especially among trucking firms; and to fortify and improve the industry’s public image for economic development and workforce recruitment, and to promote industry safety and professionalism.”
McLeod added that throughout Church’s tenure, he remained engaged and involved – and proved time and again that when he pledged to lead the Alabama Trucking Association back 2018, he was promising to protect and promote Alabama’s trucking industry at all costs, showing that he isn’t afraid to work hard for what he believes.
“This was not a job I took lightly,” Church said. “I wanted to make sure I left this organization stronger than the day I became Chairman. I am very pleased to say that we accomplished so many great things for the trucking industry. I am so proud to have been involved with our many accomplishments, such as the recent appointment of Mark Colson as (the Association’s) new president and CEO; the recent state funding package for improving Alabama’s infrastructure; the easing of age restrictions for CDL applicants – these are all things that will make trucking stronger and better able to serve Alabama’s economy. Leading this Association has been a highlight of my career, and I am grateful to each of you for the opportunity to serve.”
