CORRECTED -- The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has named Rod Nofziger chief operating officer.

Nofziger has worked for the association for more than 12 years, most recently at OOIDA’s headquarters in Missouri as the chief of staff and special assistant to the president. Previously, Nofziger worked out of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office, where he served as the director of government affairs. 

In this new role Nofziger will manage and oversee the business activities of the association under the direction of OOIDA President Jim Johnston and its board of directors. He also will assist Executive Vice President Todd Spencer, who leads the organization’s national legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts.

The promotion of Nofziger has led to speculation that he is at the top of a short list of people to replace its long-time president when he retires, though Jim Johnston has not publicly announced or indicated any such plans. Johnston has been with OOIDA since its founding 40 years ago and has been in his current position since 1975.

However, OOIDA spokesperson Norita Taylor tells Truckinginfo.com that OOIDA's by-laws "are written in such a way that he cannot hold the position of president of OOIDA because, among other requirements, he does not have truck driving experience."

OOIDA says it currently represents 150,000 small-business trucking professionals and truck drivers in the United States and Canada.