Trucking Leaders Join in Economic Forum

A number of trucking industry figures, as well as a leading supplier and representatives of trucking’s customer groups, were taking part Tuesday in the President’s Economic Forum at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

Mack Dove, chairman of AAA Cooper Transportation, a less-than-truckload company based in Dothan, Ala., was invited as a panelist. Dove is also chairman of the American Trucking Associations’ Litigation Center.

Bob Costello, chief economist at the ATA, told Transport Topics Dove was to take with him to Waco some points for discussion on the issues surrounding the Environmental Protection Agency’s deadline for a 2.5 gram nitrogen oxide engine.

The points include the economic concerns, such as higher cost and resale value as well as questions about performance, reliability and fuel consumption of the engines certified.

Other issues Dove may raise include fuel prices and taxes.

Among the other panelists were Jerry Hood, secretary and treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; Glen Barton, chairman of Caterpillar Inc., a major manufacturer of truck engines; Robert London, a driver for United Parcel Service from Waco, Texas; Jerry Jasinowski, president of the National Association of Manufacturers.

Tom Donohue, now president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce but formerly president of ATA, was to be a guest speaker.

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