The American Trucking Associations announced that it will host a “Fuel Strategies Workshop” on Thursday, June 19, to help the trucking industry cope with skyrocketing fuel prices. The workshop is designed to educate motor carriers about new technologies and operating practices that will help them conserve diesel fuel and implement cutting-edge diesel fuel purchasing strategies to reduce their fuel bill.
ATA says the one-day seminar, to be held at the Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington, Va., will provide attendees with practical solutions from industry experts to help conserve fuel, operate more efficiently and ultimately reduce their fuel bills. Fleet managers, fuel purchasers, economists and policy professionals will provide an overview of technologies and techniques to reduce fuel consumption, fuel purchasing strategies, methods of accurately measuring fuel economy and costs, and benefits of alternative fuels.
Featured speakers include:
Guy Caruso, administrator of the Energy Information Administration, who will discuss EIA’s energy outlook during a keynote luncheon address;
Sara Banaszak, senior economist for the American Petroleum Institute, who will discuss the economic and geopolitical factors influencing crude oil and diesel prices;
Steve Graham, vice president of Schneider National Inc., who will teach attendees advanced fuel purchasing strategies and discuss how to properly hedge diesel fuel purchases;
Allen Schaefer, president of the Diesel Technology Forum; Ken Adams, vice president of Jevic Transportation Inc.; Ron Szapacs, maintenance specialist of Air Products & Chemicals Inc.; and Dan Umphress, managing director of maintenance solutions for FedEx Freight, who will participate in a panel discussion on how the right truck and engine specifications can reduce fuel consumption;
Braxton Vick, senior vice president of Southeastern Freight Lines Inc., who will present methods for reducing fuel costs by optimizing truck routes;
John Sullivan, director of service for Boydstun Metal Works Inc., who will present strategies to conserve fuel by reducing speed and idling time;
Richard Wood, president of Solus Solutions and Technologies, who will discuss trailer specifications and aerodynamic packages that decrease fuel consumption;
Mark Clark, manager of vehicle/GSE engineering worldwide for FedEx Express, who will speak about how using the correct tires can optimize fuel efficiency;
Kirk Altrichter, vice president of maintenance for Gordon Trucking Inc., who will present strategies for implementing driver incentive programs to conserve fuel for your fleet; and
ATA First Vice Chairman Charles “Shorty” Whittington, president of Grammer Industries Inc., who will speak about the economics of biodiesel and whether alternative fuels could help reduce fleet fueling costs. 
