Mark Colson selected as ATA’s next President

The Alabama Trucking Association announces today that it has selected Mark Colson to be its next President and CEO. Colson, who currently serves as a senior advisor for the Business Council of Alabama, will start his tenure with ATA as President-Elect June 1, 2019 and will assume full responsibilities and duties as President on August 1, 2019.

“On behalf of the Alabama Trucking Association, I am excited to welcome Mark Colson to our organization,” said Church Transportation and Logistics President Fenn Church, who currently serves as the ATA Chairman of the Board. “Mark’s passion, energy and vision will serve this Association well as we prepare for the many challenges that lie ahead for trucking. Mark is an energetic leader who can build coalitions to get results and inspire those around him to do great things to push Alabama’s vibrant economy forward. We look forward to his leadership and this exciting new chapter for the Alabama Trucking Association.”

Over the past decade, Colson has served in multiple senior roles for BCA, including senior vice president for governmental affairs, chief of staff, and recently serving as interim president during an executive transition.

He also ran one of the largest political action committees in Alabama for four years leading the effort to elect pro-business candidates to state office. During his tenure, new fundraising goals were achieved, and the PAC’s win-rate exceeded 95 percent.

His experience also includes working with Alabama’s local chambers of commerce in every corner of the state to promote pro-business initiatives such as infrastructure, economic development and workforce development.

“The growth and success that ATA has experienced is remarkable and directly attributed to the tremendous efforts of the staff, the members, and the volunteer leaders,” said Colson. “I’m excited to work with all of these talented individuals to continue this legacy of success and take ATA to the next level.”

Colson replaces longtime ATA CEO Frank Filgo who retires in July after 24 years of service. “Having served the Association for so long, I know that this is the best job ever,” said Filgo. “As my tenure at ATA comes to an end, I look forward to helping Mark make a smooth transition in leadership. This Association has made an excellent choice for its future.”

“Mark has been an extremely valuable and talented advocate for Alabama’s business community for more than a decade, and we are fortunate that he will continue to serve our state by leading the trucking industry,” said BCA President and CEO Katie Boyd Britt. “I am proud of the legacy that Frank Filgo established during his career building a strong and important relationship between the BCA and ATA. I look forward to continuing to work with Mark in his new role and continuing the collaboration between the BCA and ATA.”

ATA Executive Search Committee Chairman Reid Dove of AAA Cooper Transportation said ATA is delighted to usher in a new era of leadership with Colson. “Mark’s knowledge and experience in our state from a legislative and business standpoint will be a great asset to existing and future ATA members,” Dove said. “We are eager to begin working with Mark and the outstanding ATA staff to tackle the many important issues facing our industry. I’d also like to commend Frank’s exemplary and noble leadership all these years. His hard work and dedication allow Mark to join our team with a great deal of momentum.”

Colson is a native of Chilton County where he grew up working for his family’s tire business. He is a graduate of Huntingdon College where he serves as a member of the Huntingdon College Board of Trustees and was recently inducted into the Huntingdon Athletics Hall of Fame (football). He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Troy University.

Colson, his wife Cody, and their daughter reside in Montgomery and are members of First United Methodist Church.