MC&E: Canary Picked as First of Two New ATA Presidents

(Michael James - TT) William Canary, left, and ATA Chairman Duane Acklie take questions after it was announced that Canary will become ATA president and CEO until 2003.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- William Canary, who has served as interim president and chief executive officer of the American Trucking Associations since July 1, was named, effective Tuesday, as the permanent president/CEO through Jan. 13, 2003.

Canary's term will provide a transition to when Kansas Gov. Bill Graves can take the association's top administrative job, following the end of Graves' second four-year gubernatorial term.

ATA's leadership announced the personnel actions Tuesday in Nashville, where the group is holding its annual Management Conference & Exhibition.

anary had early on removed himself for consideration for the top job for any extended period, citing family considerations that require him to reside in Alabama, instead of near the ATA's headquarters in Alexandria, Va.

Canary's tenure heading the organization has already included a flurry of high-level policy activity that resulted from the national crisis sparked by the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

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Federal security officials have expressed concern that future terrorist attacks could focus on hazardous materials that trucks routinely carry. ATA has been helping its members respond to that potential threat by coordinating efforts with federal safety agencies.

Under Canary's leadership, ATA has asked for federal help in investigating alleged price gouging by some fuel dealers and some insurance companies in the wake of the terrorist attacks.

(Click here for a bio of Canary.)