PRESS RELEASE: ATA Honors Longtime CEO for Lifetime Achievement
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Contact: Ford Boswell
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State Trucking Group Honors Longtime CEO for Lifetime Achievement
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Trucking Association has honored its longtime President and CEO Frank Filgo with its H. Chester Webb Award for outstanding service to the state’s trucking industry and business community. The group surprised Filgo with the lifetime achievement recognition during its 77th Annual Convention held recently in Destin, Fla.
For more than two decades, Filgo has built the Alabama Trucking Association (ATA) into a powerful advocate for highway and industry safety and a champion for sensible pro-business legislation and industry regulation. His tenure has delivered meaningful results that have helped Alabama trucking businesses reach their individual goals.
Boyd Bros. Transportation CEO and previous year’s Webb Award winner Gail Cooper presented Filgo with the award, saying his dedication to the trucking industry and a reluctance to take credit for his work was a driving force for the recognition. “Many times Frank’s efforts are done behind the scenes, and often with little fanfare,” she said. “The board felt that acknowledging his contributions and hard work are much deserved and long overdue. His stewardship of ATA has made our industry better, safer and stronger. ”
Under Filgo’s leadership, ATA has vastly improved services for members; raised its profile in the state’s political arena; and built a strong coalition of industry, regulatory and enforcement officials and staff to shape a supportive environment for trucking businesses to thrive.
ATA Chairman of the Board Wayne Watkins pointed to the Association’s recent successes as evidence of Filgo’s work. Those accomplishments include:
- The Metal Coil Securement Act of Alabama, which preserves the federal regulations as it applies to the securement of metal coils.
- The Anti-Indemnification Bill, which makes shippers responsible for acts of sole negligence.
- Legislation allowing for additional weight for commercial trucks equipped with fuel saving auxiliary power units (APUs).
- Apportionment of the 2-cent Alabama inspection fee, a tax savings of $295 per truck.
- Legislation allowing for a permanent state trailer tag.
Watkins added that Filgo also successfully spearheaded ATA’s recent lawsuit victory to limit property taxes on Alabama motor carriers involved in interstate commerce to miles driven within the state only. That ruling has resulted in significant tax savings for Alabama’s motor carriers.
Cooper said a key component of Frank’s management philosophy is to be “a king maker, not a king.”
“He puts the membership’s best interest forward in everything he does and surrounds himself with talented people to achieve success,” she said. “He always gives credit to others for the Association’s successes, and accepts its failures as the fault of his own.”
Filgo has 42 years of experience in association management, having served both national and state trade associations. He grew up in Tupelo, Miss. and graduated from Mississippi State University and the National Institute of Organization Management at the University of Delaware.
He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and a past president of the Alabama Council of Association Executives. He received his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 1988. He serves on the Board of Directors of Business Council of Alabama and is past chairman of the Region II Trucking Association Executive Council (TAEC), currently serving as its secretary.
He and wife Jackie have two adult children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
ATA’s Webb Award is given annually to recognize individuals for service and contributions to the trucking industry. It also encourages public service by Association members. Winners of the award are those who have given their talents, leadership and dedication to the Alabama trucking industry, the Association, and the communities where they reside.
About Alabama Trucking Association
Founded in 1938, the Alabama Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association, representing state motor carriers in the advancement of highway transportation and serves as the voice of trucking in Alabama. It conducts activities for the improvement of trucking service to the public and sponsors programs for the industry in the public’s interest and industry betterment. The Association’s membership consists of nearly 700 trucking related firms, including for-hire and private truck operations and allied businesses (those that equip and service the industry). For more information on the Alabama Trucking Association, please visit www.alabamatrucking.org.
