The California Construction Trucking Association has been renamed the Western States Trucking Association in a move to better represent its more diverse membership.

While its original members only owned dump trucks, the association has grown to include trucking companies in all modes of the industry. It also reflects the expanding geographic locations of its members.

"Over the past few years it has become clear that our name did not accurately describe our diverse membership, which includes members engaged in every facet of trucking operations," said Lee Brown, executive director and COO of the association. "Our diverse membership includes motor carriers engaged in a wide variety of operations such as construction, intrastate and interstate general freight, auto transporters, heavy-haul, port drayage, cross-border/international, agricultural, and transporters of hazardous materials."

The association will still maintain a lobbying presence at the California state capitol in Sacramento, but it wanted to avoid having to explain who and what the association represents and does.

“While the CCTA name has historic significance, in the era of term limits and rapid-cycling politicians, not to mention tens of thousands of competing special interests, we need a name that cuts to the chase and leaves an accurate and lasting impression with our ever-changing politicians,” said Brooks Ellison, the association’s lobbyist and general counsel.