The American Trucking Associations has named four executives to new senior leadership positions, according to the federation’s new president and CEO, Chris Spear, as part of an "ongoing transition." 

The new members of ATA’s senior leadership team are:

• Elisabeth Barna, chief operating officer and executive vice president of industry affairs

• Jennifer Hall, general counsel and executive vice president of legal affairs

• Sue Hensley, executive vice president of communications and public affairs

• Bill Sullivan, executive vice president of advocacy

“ATA is embarking on a transition and driving in a new direction, one I am proud to lead and prouder still to have these fine individuals and all the ATA staff play a part in,” said Spear. “We share the vision and goal of ensuring this essential industry continues to prosper and safely move our country forward.”

Barna, who has already begun working in her new role ,has been with ATA for 20 years, most recently serving as senior vice president of communications and public affairs. She also spent 8 years at the Motor Freight Carriers Association.

Hall will take up her new position on Sept. 3. She previously was general counsel and deputy staff director of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Hall also has experience in the executive branch of government, including at the Department of Homeland Security ,and in the private sector.

Hensley will start her new position on Aug. 15 and was most recently was senior vice president for public affairs and communications. She has also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Labor; Associate Administrator of the Small Business Administration; and as House and Senate communications director for former Senator Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark).

Sullivan’s first day at ATA will be on Aug. 15 as well. She joins ATA after serving as legislative director for Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala) and had previously held positions with the Department of Justice and on the staff of Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)

Spear, a former ATA senior vice president of legislative affairs, took over the top post at ATA on July 9. He succeeded Gov. Bill Graves, who is retiring after more than 13 years at the helm of trucking's biggest lobby.

Along with his prior tenure at ATA, Spear over the course of his career has served as a Capitol Hill staffer and in federal agencies as well as in the private sector. He most recently held the position of vice president of government affairs at Hyundai Motor Company.

“As ATA forges this new path forward, we are lucky to have quality leaders like Elisabeth, Jennifer, Sue and Bill join our already tremendous professional staff,” said Pat Thomas, ATA chairman and senior vice president for state government affairs at UPS. “On behalf of the members of ATA, I’d like to congratulate all of them and wish them nothing but success in their new roles.”

ATA stated that it will make additional leadership appointments in the coming weeks as the federation continues to transition under Spear’s leadership.