U.S. Xpress co-chairman, president Quinn dies
U.S. Xpress Enterprises on Tuesday, Dec. 13, announced the death of Patrick Quinn, the company’s co-chairman and president, following a battle with brain cancer. Entering the transportation industry as an attorney, Quinn enjoyed a 40-year career in trucking that was highlighted by numerous leadership roles, including a term as chairman of the American Trucking Associations.
Quinn co-founded U.S. Xpress in 1985 with business partner Max Fuller, who is the company’s co-chairman and CEO. Under their leadership, U.S. Xpress grew from a 48-truck start-up operation to become the nation’s second-largest privately owned truckload carrier, with 8,500 trucks and employing more than 10,000 people nationwide.
“Pat was a tremendous business partner, and he had a real passion for working to make a difference in our industry,” said Fuller, who assumed the majority of Quinn’s duties at U.S. Xpress following his diagnosis earlier this year. “One of the most lasting accomplishments of my career was the business partnership that Pat and I established. We could count on each other to divide up the leadership responsibilities. Both of us knew our strengths, and Pat was a real people person. He excelled in sales, and his legal background was very valuable, especially during the first days of the company as deregulation was helping to revolutionize the transportation industry.”
During his career, Quinn was a leading advocate for the trucking industry, serving as ATA chairman (2005-07) and chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association (2001-02). As an initial member of ATA’s Image & Communications Committee, Quinn helped to develop the plan for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which has become a successful annual event celebrating the work of truck drivers throughout the country.
“Pat and I have known each other for nearly 40 years,” said ATA Chairman Dan England, chairman of C.R. England Inc. of Salt Lake City. “He has always been a dedicated and articulate representative of our industry and his company. Our industry has lost a real icon. I extend my best wishes to his family in their time of great loss. He was a good friend, and I will miss him greatly.”
In his term as ATA chairman, Quinn received an appointment in 2006 from then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, which held meetings and hearings for two years discussing the future of the nation’s infrastructure.
“The American Trucking Associations, and the trucking industry, has lost one of our finest leaders,” said Bill Graves, ATA president and chief executive officer. “Pat Quinn was a remarkable man who devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy in support of the trucking industry he loved. U.S. Xpress, the Tennessee Trucking Association, the Truckload Carriers Association and ATA are all better organizations for having had the benefit of Pat’s involvement and leadership. Pat’s participation on the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission was one of many examples where his knowledge and passion for transportation brought him to the forefront in his service to the industry and nation. He will be greatly missed.”
Quinn is survived by his wife of 43 years, Anna Marie, three children and seven grandchildren. His oldest daughter, Lisa Pate, currently serves as executive vice president and general counsel for U.S. Xpress Enterprises, while his son, Brian, is vice president and general manager of the company’s International Business Unit.
“U.S. Xpress is very proud of all the work that Pat did on behalf of our industry,” Fuller said. “Pat became a respected voice on a variety of transportation-related issues. Pat made an endless number of friends over his years in the transportation. To me, Pat was more than a friend. He was a true partner and, most importantly to me, Pat was family. Pat left an indelible mark on U.S. Xpress and our industry. He will be missed.”
