Heavy Duty Trucking is adding an experienced, commercially licensed editor to its award-winning editorial team, as Jack Roberts joins the staff as senior editor starting Dec. 1.

Roberts has been writing and reporting on the North American trucking industry for more 20 years. In the past several years he has emerged as a leading authority on the increasing use of advanced technology in working trucks today, including intelligent drivetrains, advanced safety and driver assist systems, autonomous vehicle technology, truck platooning and alternative fuels.

He will write on these topics and others, including equipment spec’ing and maintenance, fuel economy, fleet profiles, and more. A commercially licensed driver, Roberts also will conduct test drives for HDT.

Roberts is experienced in multimedia reporting, including print, digital, photography and video. He is active in social media, with more than 4,000 Twitter followers on @By_JackRoberts, and will have a regular blog on Truckinginfo.com.

“I’m very excited to join HDT’s talented and experienced editorial team at such a crucial time for the trucking industry,” Roberts said. “News, information and actionable intelligence will be crucial for fleets as new technology, regulations and a push for ever more efficient and safe logistics transform trucking in the years to come.”

He has won numerous journalism awards, including two Jesse H. Neal awards for journalistic excellence, as well as being a finalist for the award three times, and the construction industry's Robert. F. Bolger Award reporting from Ground Zero in New York City on cleanup efforts in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

“Jack has a passion for the trucking industry and for B2B journalism that make him a great fit for HDT,” said Deborah Lockridge, editor in chief, noting that he already has been writing for HDT as a freelance contributing editor this year.

A graduate of the University of Alabama, Roberts lives and works in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where his hobbies include reading, Crimson Tide football, boating and playing guitar. He will be based in Tuscaloosa.