This week marks Alabama Trucking’s new fiscal year — and with it, a new chapter for the Alabama Trucking Association.

As FY 2025–2026 officially closes, we’re proud to celebrate the people and partnerships that carried our industry forward and to welcome in what’s ahead. 

This week, we also released our new issue of Alabama Trucker, which looks back on a busy year and recent events.

Our cover story spotlights Charlie Salter, Alabama Trucking’s Driver of the Year, whose 36 years of accident-free driving reflect a career built on service, safety, and family. Inside, we also revisit Kyle Avery’s bittersweet win at the Truck Driving Championships, recap a memorable Convention in Orange Beach, and highlight the growing partnership between Alabama Trucking and our state’s community colleges.

This issue also marks a changing of the guard at the helm of the Association. Outgoing Chairman Daniel Wright reflects on a year defined by unity, safety progress, and member commitment, as he officially passes the torch to incoming Chairman Scott Smith. It’s a fitting close to one chapter — and the start of another.

None of this work is possible without the generous support of our advertisers. To every company that partnered with us this year — thank you. Your investment fuels this publication and the mission behind it: strengthening Alabama’s trucking industry, one story at a time.