ORLANDO -- The board of directors of American Trucking Associations elected Phil Byrd, president of Bulldog Hiway Express, Charleston, S.C., as the federation’s 69th chairman. It happened Tuesday in Orlando, Fla. during the ATA’s Management Conference and Exhibition.

“I am deeply humbled that my fellow ATA members would grant me the tremendous honor of representing them, and our industry, as chairman,” Byrd said.

“I believe our industry and our association on the precipice of momentous change,” he said. “And I hope that as chairman I can help not just ATA but our entire industry position themselves for these changes.”

“I have great confidence that Phil will be a tremendous chairman,” said ATA president and CEO Bill Graves. “He is as humble and dedicated an individual as I have had the privilege of working with while at ATA and I look forward to his leadership this year.”

Byrd replaces Mike Card, president of Combined Transport, Central Point, Ore., as chairman.

“This past year has been a remarkable experience,” Card said. “I’d like to thank my fellow members and the staff of ATA for all they’ve done for me these past 12 months and wish Phil the best of luck. I believe he’ll be an excellent representative of our industry.”

The ATA board also elected Pat Thomas, vice president of public affairs at UPS, Atlanta, Ga., as second vice chairman. The current first vice chairman is Duane Long, chairman of Longistics, Raleigh, N.C.