2025 Arkansas Trucking Association Conference

May 14, 2025 - May 16, 2025

Description

REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON-SITE.

Put your name on the guest list for the 2025 Arkansas Trucking Association Conference & Vendor Showcase.

Each year, our agenda includes insightful forums, discussions on some of trucking's top issues and several networking opportunities. Hear from experts on industry trends, economics, leadership, politics, business and more.

Whether you're showcasing solutions or seeking strategic partnerships, this is where transportation's most consequential conversations happen. Reserve your place among Arkansas's premier trucking executives and decision-makers May 14–16 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14

THURSDAY, MAY 15

8 a.m.	REGISTRATION & VENDOR SHOWCASE OPEN
	BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING*
8:30 a.m.	LATTES WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT SPONSORED BY SILVER SPONSORS
9 a.m.	40 UNDER 40 COUNCIL MEETING*
10 a.m.	GENERAL SESSION
11 a.m.	The Outlook for Trucking and Freight in an Era of Uncertainty AVERY VISE - Vice President of Trucking, FTR Transportation Intelligence Avery Vise serves as FTR’s chief analyst for trucking-related market data and insights concerning truck freight demand, capacity, rates and regulatory impacts. Vise has closely studied the transportation industry for nearly 40 years as an editor, analyst and researcher, including more than 25 years dedicated specifically to the trucking industry. Vise is the principal author of FTR’s monthly Trucking Update report and contributes to the firm’s Shippers Update and Truck and Trailer Outlook services. He leads the weekly Spot Market Insights analysis, hosts the weekly Trucking Market Update podcast, and is a primary contributor to FTR’s Weekly Transportation Update publication. Another major focus is tracking trucking fleets’ driver and truck capacity and leading client projects to size markets for specific types of trucking operations. Prior to joining FTR in 2017, Vise was principal of his own transportation consulting and market research practice. Previously, he headed trucking market research and analysis for Randall-Reilly after about a decade as chief editor of that company’s Commercial Carrier Journal. Vise started his career at McGraw-Hill as an editor covering the commercial aviation industry before shifting his focus to the trucking industry in 1998.
12:15 p.m.	Under the Dome Luncheon with House Speaker Rep. Brian Evans
1:30 p.m.	Lawsuit Abuse and Tow Truck Terror: Today's Highway Robbery PAMELA BLASS BRACHER - Deputy General Counsel, American Trucking Associations Pam Bracher has 19 years of experience in the transportation industry, specializing in defending truck drivers and motor carriers in highway accident and cargo litigation. She has held leadership positions, managed claims teams, coached high-level claims examiners and paralegals for major transportation companies, and represented and defended trucking companies and drivers in tort litigation in most of the lower 48 states. She joined the American Trucking Associations (ATA) in 2022, where she works to advance the interests of the trucking industry on a wide range of public policy and regulatory issues, including lawsuit abuse reform, predatory towing reform, and cargo security. Bracher graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Law after earning her BA (political science) from Emory University and her MPA (financial management) from the University of Cincinnati. She was in private law practice for almost 10 years prior to her in-house legal roles at leading trucking companies, U.S. Xpress, Inc. and then Knight-Swift Transportation (Mohave Transportation Insurance Company). Based in Chattanooga, Bracher is licensed in Tennessee and Georgia.
2:30 p.m.	VISIT VENDORS
3 p.m.	Navigating Insurance Headwinds ROB KIBBE - Practice Leader of Transportation and Logistics Practice, Commercial, AON As practice leader for Aon’s Transportation and Logistics practice, Rob Kibbe coordinates the delivery of the Transportation and Logistics practice’s overall services among the various Aon disciplines such as broking, actuarial analysis, claims consulting, and risk control. Kibbe is widely considered an industry leader in risk management for the road transportation and logistics sector. His expertise includes development of comprehensive service plans and formulation of strategies to accomplish client risk management objectives. He has extensive knowledge of risk retention groups and their application for transportation clients having lead the development of over 15 risk retention group insurance companies for various transportation companies. His expertise also includes captives for independent contractor risks and cost of risk modeling as well as creative, multiyear excess liability placements. Prior to joining Aon in 2000, Rob was a senior underwriter for Reliance Insurance Company where he managed agency development and new business. Previously, he served in various leadership capacities with Chubb Insurance Company for seven years. ROBBY WALLACE - Vice President of Pharmacy Services, AON Robby Wallace is an accomplished leader with more than 20 years’ experience in the pharmacy benefit industry. In his current role, Wallace serves as the vice president of pharmacy for the West and South regions within Aon’s pharmacy practice. Prior to joining Aon, Wallace served as a consultant and leader within Pharmaceutical Strategies Group (PSG’s) employer practice, leading group of consultants and pharmacists responsible for business strategy, stewardship and clinical/operational discipline. His expertise in the areas of benefit consulting, Pharmacy Benefit Manager contract negotiations and a deep domain knowledge of the pharmacy and health care space provide his clients with valuable insight on their plan design and decision process. The broad variety of client work in his experience, combined with years of unique pharmacy roles means clients gain from an industry expert with employer plans.
4-6 p.m.	CHAIRMAN'S RECEPTION
5-7 p.m.	GOLD SPONSOR RECEPTION*

FRIDAY, MAY 16

8 a.m.	REGISTRATION & VENDOR SHOWCASE OPEN
	SELF INSURERS' FUND MEETING
9 a.m.	CARRIER PANEL  Moderated by DR. DOUG VOSS - Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, University of Central Arkansas, College of Business Dr. Doug Voss serves as professor of logistics and supply chain management at the University of Central Arkansas and holds the Scott E. Bennett Arkansas Highway Commission Endowed Chair of Motor Carrier Management. Voss received his Ph.D. in logistics from Michigan State University and an M.S. and B.S. in transportation and logistics management from the University of Arkansas. Before beginning his position at the University of Central Arkansas, Voss served as a post-doctoral research associate at Michigan State University and worked in the motor carrier industry. He currently serves on the Arkansas Trucking Association and Lonoke Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Panelists: BRAD DELCO - Senior Vice President of Finance, J.B. Hunt Transport Brad Delco is the senior vice president of finance for J.B. Hunt Transport. He is responsible for the oversight and management of all investor relations activities for the company. He also leads the company’s corporate development, financial planning and analysis efforts and is active in environmental, social and governance initiatives. In addition, Delco oversees ELEVATION, J.B. Hunt’s initiative to find, foster and follow employee-submitted ideas to make the company a better organization. He has a bachelor’s degree in business from Wake Forest University. ALAN RIELS - President & CEO, Dedicated Logistics, LLC Alan Riels has 43 years of trucking experience. His passion for trucking started in 1982 while working for a small trucking company in southeast Arkansas during his college years. From 1982 until 2002 this experience provided the opportunity to start Dedicated Logistics, LLC with just one truck and five trailers. Today, the company operates 80 trucks and 340 dry van trailers, as a reliable partner to its customers and known for its commitment to safety, efficiency and personalized service. In 2018 and 2023 Dedicated Logistics was awarded the OTR DRY VAN CARRIER OF THE YEAR by Georgia Pacific. PATRICK SIMMONS - Vice President of Global Transportation, Tyson Foods Patrick Simmons serves as Tyson Foods’ vice president of global transportation, overseeing the Tyson private fleet, all 3PL carriers to include ocean, rail and air. He is a versatile and seasoned supply chain leader with extensive capabilities spanning across the end-to-end supply chain. Simmons has held several executive leadership roles prior to joining the Tyson team during his 22-year career at Walmart and Sam’s Club. Prior to his civilian career, he served for over 10 years as an Army Combat Arms Officer, including leadership roles in Armor, Infantry and Special Forces. GABE STEPHENS - Vice President and Co-Owner, C.C. Jones, Inc. Gabe Stephens is the vice president and co-owner of C. C. Jones, Inc. based out of North Little Rock. He began a full time career at C.C. Jones, Inc. immediately after graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1994 with a degree in transportation. Stephens is a third generation owner who hopes at least one of his three girls will be the fourth someday. C.C. Jones, Inc. is a refrigerated carrier loading approx 40 trucks in a niche market. Being a small office, he wears many hats, but he is at home most in dispatch, building relationships with drivers and customers. Giving back is important to Stephens. He currently serves on the Arkansas Trucking Association board, NLR Waste Water Commission and NLR Wildcat Foundation Board.
10:30 a.m.	VISIT VENDORS
11 a.m.	Making News, Breaking News and Trust in Media MOSHEH OINOUNOU - Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Mo News Mosheh Oinounou is an Emmy, Murrow and Webby award-winning journalist who brings a veteran perspective to news and journalism. He has 20 years of experience as a reporter and producer at CBS, Fox News, Bloomberg TV, Conde Nast Entertainment and CNBC where he covered elections, wars, natural disasters and produced interviews with dozens of world leaders, including five American presidents. Since March 2020, Oinounou has been breaking down the news on the Mo News Instagram page with a facts-first approach—including the latest in politics, international news, business and pop culture. His more than half a million followers range from celebrities to politicians to business leaders to people around the globe who are passionate about staying informed and receiving non-partisan, reliable information. Since 2024, he also delivers additional context, deep dives, and personalized commentary to his more than 10,000 paid monthly subscribers in his members-only Instagram account. Mo News also now features a daily Mo News podcast—which has ranked as a Top 10 News Podcast on Apple and Spotify with over 7 million downloads—as well as the daily Mo Newsletter. A weekly Mo News: The Interview Podcast also features conversations with newsmakers and industry experts. Mo News recently won the National Press Foundation’s Chairman’s Citation Award for innovation in media. Mo News has also been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Forbes, and Variety Magazine for breaking new ground in the media.
12 p.m.	AWARDS LUNCHEON DAVID BAZZEL- 2024 Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year David Bazzel is a prominent sports media personality, former collegiate athlete, and influential figure in Arkansas athletics recently named the 2024 Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. As host of “Morning Mayhem” on 103.7 The Buzz since 1995 with over 23,000 hours of live radio experience, and a Razorback analyst for KATV Channel 7 for more than 25 years, he has established himself as a leading voice in Arkansas sports. A Florida high school All-State athlete who played linebacker for the Arkansas Razorbacks (1981-85) under coaches Lou Holtz and Ken Hatfield, Bazzel has created numerous prestigious football awards including the Broyles Award, Cliff Harris Award, and Burlsworth Trophy. As founder and president of the Little Rock Touchdown Club and president of the Arkansas Chapter of the National Football Foundation, his contributions to sports have earned him induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, recognition as one of the “12 Most Powerful Men in Arkansas” by AY Magazine, and designation

PLAY FOR THE PAC

ATA's Play for the PAC series will be coming to our annual conference on Wednesday afternoon, May 14.

The ATA Political Action Committee was formed to educate policy makers, promote advocacy efforts and financially support public officials and candidates who support our organization's agenda. To protect the collective interests of trucking companies in the political and regulatory arenas successfully, the Arkansas Trucking Association must maintain and operate a strong Political Action Committee.

The 2025 ATA Conference first networking opportunity will tee up at the Hot Springs Country Club in a special spring tournament for the ATA-PAC.

The tournament is a first come, first-served event limited to 100 golfers. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the golf tournament. Sponsors and tournament winners will be recognized at the Welcome Reception Wednesday afternoon.

Sign up to play golf! 

Location

Hot Springs Convention Center