The American Trucking Associations has announced that the application window has opened for its industry leadership initiative, LEAD ATA. The association said it is searching for a class of diverse industry leaders looking to grow their careers and meet other trucking professionals with ambition.

“LEAD ATA continues to be an avenue for trucking professionals to expand their knowledge of the industry and interact with people who help move the industry forward,” said Kevin Burch, ATA chairman and president of Jet Express. “I’ve seen the program grow from its earliest stages and I’m excited to see the application process open for another round of strong applicants. LEAD ATA builds teamwork and lifelong friendships.”

The program was established in 2013 and provides exclusive education opportunities to up-and-coming trucking industry professionals. The PeopleNet-sponsored program highlights how the regulatory and legislative process affects the trucking industry and demonstrates ATA’s role in influencing those processes. LEAD ATA also exposes its participants to the tools available to industry executives through ATA.

Part of LEAD ATA includes face-to-face meetings with ATA executives and trucking policy experts, media relations and public speaking training, and insight into how ATA works with legislators as well as how its members are improving the trucking industry’s image.

Next month, the current LEAD ATA class will visit their respective legislators on Capitol Hill and educate members of Congress on critical trucking issues.

“From speaking with graduates of LEAD ATA, it’s evident that the program helped them take on more responsibilities within their companies and the larger industry,” said Dave Manning, ATA first vice chairman and president of TCW. “Many graduates serve as key voices on ATA policy committees and have really established themselves as strong advocates for our industry within their grassroots networks.”

LEAD ATA is a one-year program that includes four mandatory meetings and two optional meetings. Along with participating in the mandatory meetings, the LEAD ATA class undergoes leadership development training and receives exclusive opportunities to network with key trucking industry decision-makers.

To find out more about LEAD ATA, click here. To fill out an application form, click here.