ATA Promotes Costello, Barna and Others to Senior Staff
American Trucking Associations announced several promotions to the association's senior staff, including Bob Costello and Elisabeth Barna.

Bob Costello

Bob Costello
American Trucking Associations announced several promotions to the Association's senior staff, including Bob Costello and Elisabeth Barna.
Effective immediately, Chief Economist and Vice President Bob Costello has been promoted to senior vice president.
Elisabeth Barna, vice president of image and outreach advocacy, has been promoted to senior vice president of communications and public affairs.
Controller Rusty Duckworth has been promoted to senior vice president and controller, and vice president of human resources and operations.
Kay Perkins has been promoted to senior vice president, human resources and operations.
"ATA has a talented group of staff dedicated to the priorities and success of our members and the overall trucking industry," Graves said. "The promotion of these individuals is well-deserved and a reflection of their success in their respective positions and commitment to our vital industry."
Costello has been with ATA since 1997, and manages all of ATA’s collection, analysis and dissemination of trucking economic information, as well as conducting economic analyses of proposed regulations and legislation affecting the trucking industry.
Barna rejoined ATA in 2005 and has more than 23 years in the trucking industry. She leads ATA’s image and outreach efforts, including the America’s Road Team and Share the Road programs, as well as the new industry-wide image movement, Trucking Moves America Forward. As part of her promotion, she will manage ATA’s communications and public affairs strategy.
Duckworth has been with ATA since 1999, and manages all of ATA’s finance operations, including ATA’s investment portfolio.
Perkins has been with ATA since 1998 and is responsible for all human resource functions and building operations, as well as having oversight for the association’s real estate.
More Fleet Management

Why Private Fleets Are Taking More Freight
Private fleets are putting their own trucks on demanding customers and high-cost lanes as companies seek greater control over service, costs, and capacity.
Read More →
Color Match Smarter: Tools That Restore & Perform
For fleet managers and collision repair professionals keeping heavy-duty trucks on the road, getting the color right the first time isn't just about appearance — it's about efficiency, turnaround time, and bottom-line results. Discover how today's digital color tools are transforming the repair process from guesswork to precision.
Read More →
FMCSA Pauses Biennial-Update Enforcement Amid Motus Transition
Carriers whose updates were due on or after June 1 have more time, while FMCSA works to stabilize its new registration system and warns of phishing sites impersonating its new carrier registration system, Motus.
Read More →
2026 Blueprint for Countering Smarter Supply Chain Theft
Cargo theft is no longer just the cost of doing business. It's a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise exploiting vulnerabilities across your fleet, drivers, and supply chain.
Read More →
How Telematics Improves Visibility, Control, and Performance in Refrigerated Fleets
Explore how telematics help refrigerated fleets improve visibility, uptime, efficiency, compliance, and cargo protection across connected cold chain operations.
Read More →
What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking
Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.
Read More →
What Are Trucking’s Top Concerns for 2026?
The American Transportation Research Institute wants to know what's worrying trucking fleet managers, drivers, and other stakeholders in its annual Industry Issues survey.
Read More →
American Trucking Associations Looks for a New Leader
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear abruptly left his job at the association on August 21, at a pivotal time for the trucking industry.
Read More →
Public Wi-Fi Cybersecurity Risks: How Truck Drivers and Fleets Can Protect Their Data
Public Wi-Fi can expose truck drivers and fleets to credential theft, malware, and other cyber threats. Here’s how to reduce the risk on the road.
Read More →
For Nicky Cupp, Fleet Innovation Starts With Frustration
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Nicky Cupp turns everyday pain points at Fraley & Schilling into opportunities for better technology and smarter processes.
Read More →


