G. Clifton Parker, president and general manager of G&P Trucking Co., a truckload and intermodal carrier located in Columbia, S.C., has been elected 2002-2003 chairman of the Truckload Carriers Assn.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place Wednesday, March 6, at the conclusion of the association's annual convention this week in Las Vegas.
Parker was born in 1955 into a trucking family in a trucking town. His father was a driver for the late Carolina Freight Carriers of Cherryville, N.C. Parker recieved a B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina - Charlotte in 1977. After graduation, he went to work for Carolina Freight Carriers, where he managed several terminals and was promoted to assistant to the vice president. Shortly thereafter, he served as vice president of operations for Red Arrow Freight Lines. Most recently, in 1986 he became president and general manager for G&P Trucking.
During his 10 years as a member of TCA, Parker has served on numerous management panels and committees, including Improving Efficiency at the Docks, Benchmarking, and the Truckload Academy Board of Directors. He is also active in the American Trucking Associations, where he serves as a vice president at large and is a member of the safety, environmental, technology, engineering, and intermodal policy committees.
The following individuals were also elected and will serve with Parker until the next Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla., March 9-12, 2003:

• First Vice Chairman: Ronnie Dowdy, president, Ronnie Dowdy Inc., Batesville, Ark.

• Second Vice Chairman: Arlan Van Wyk, chairman, Van Wyk, Inc., Sheldon, Iowa

• Secretary: Richard "Dick" Durst, president & CEO, Arctic Express, Hilliard, Ohio

• Treasurer: Richard "Buck" Jenkins, Treasurer & General Manager, Diamond Transportation System, Racine, Wis.

• Association Vice Chairman to ATA: Don Bowman, chairman, D.M. Bowman Inc., Williamsport, Md.

• Immediate Past Chairman: Pat Quinn, president and co-chairman, U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Chattanooga, Tenn.

At-Large officers are:

• Lance Craig, president and COO, Craig Transportation Co., Perrysburg, Ohio

• Don Oren, president, Dart Transit Co., Eagan, Minn.

• Don Orr, executive vice president and COO, Smithway Motor Xpress, Fort Dodge, Iowa

• Donna Weinrich-Lucht, president, Weinrich Truck Line Inc., Hinton, Iowa.