Derek Leathers Elected ATA Chairman
Werner Enterprises CEO Derek Leathers takes over as the 82nd chairman of American Trucking Associations.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Transportation
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American Trucking Associations elected Derek Leathers as its 82nd chairman on October 20 at the association's 2026 Management Conference & Exhibition. Leathers is chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises.
Why it matters
The chairmanship gives Leathers a leading voice for the U.S. trucking industry on regulation and advocacy at a national level. His stated priorities of stronger safety regulation enforcement and unified industry advocacy point to the policy direction he intends to push.
Leathers becomes the 82nd chairman of American Trucking Associations, the national trade group for the U.S. trucking industry. The extraction does not include revenue, membership, or other operational figures for the association or Werner Enterprises.
The players
Derek Leathers
Derek Leathers is chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises, a large Omaha-based truckload carrier, and has been a prominent voice in the trucking industry.
American Trucking Associations
American Trucking Associations is the national trade association representing the U.S. trucking industry in federal policy and advocacy.
Seth Clevenger
Seth Clevenger is the host of TT Newsmakers, a trucking industry interview program.
The details
Leathers was elected at ATA's 2026 Management Conference & Exhibition. In a TT Newsmakers conversation with Seth Clevenger, he cited knowledge passed down from C.L. Werner and Don Schneider and outlined his priorities for the chairmanship.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Derek Leathers elected ATA's 82nd chairman.
November 3, 2026: TT Newsmakers conversation with Leathers published.
Roadmap
Leathers' election places him in the lineage of ATA chairmen that includes C.L. Werner and Don Schneider, whom he credits with passing down industry knowledge. His stated focus on stronger safety regulation enforcement and unified advocacy continues the association's long-running role in shaping federal trucking policy.
Shippers and carriers may see changes in how federal safety rules are enforced as the association pushes its stated priorities. The extraction does not specify any direct effect on freight rates or service.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at trade groups like ATA can signal shifts in how the industry approaches safety rules and advocacy. Readers following freight regulation can track the association's priorities as the new chairman takes office.
Further reading
Explore more on Transportation developments across the U.S. freight and trucking sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Transport Topics.
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