The Truckload Carriers Association on Tuesday, March 6, presented its Past Chairmen’s Award posthumously to Patrick E. Quinn, co-chairman and president of U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc., Chattanooga, Tenn. Max Fuller, co-chairman and chief executive officer of the company, accepted the award on Quinn’s behalf. The ceremony took place during the association’s Annual Convention, held at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Fla.
The Past Chairmen’s Award is given to recognized industry leaders who make significant contributions to the business community, the industry and TCA. It is the highest honor given by the organization. Contrary to the title of the award, the recipient of the award does not have to be a past chairman of the association.
Quinn dedicated his entire professional career to the motor carrier industry. Educated as a lawyer, he specialized in transportation law for several years until joining Southwest Motor Freight, where he rose to the position of executive vice president and general manager. In 1985, he founded U.S. Xpress along with business partner Fuller. It eventually grew from a 48-truck startup operation to become one of the nation’s largest privately owned truckload carriers.
As a trucking leader, Quinn was active in TCA, most notably serving as the organization’s chairman from 2001-2002. He served on numerous association committees, including Regulatory Policy, Highway Policy, Carrier/Shipper Relations, Independent Contractor Practices Policy, Financial Oversight & Long-Range Planning, among others. He also participated in TCA’s Shipper/Receiver Management Panel and the Improving Efficiency at the Docks Management Panel.
Quinn served a year as chairman of the American Trucking Associations from October 2005 to October 2006, and then volunteered to stay on as chairman for another eight months following the unexpected passing of ATA’s chairman-elect, C.J. “Mac” McCormick III.
While Quinn was at the helm of ATA, he earned a senatorial appointment to serve as a U.S. Department of Transportation commissioner on the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission. He also was a member of ATA’s Image & Communications Committee and helped develop the plan for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, now a successful annual event celebrating the work of truck drivers throughout the country.
In 1997, Quinn received the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Nebraska. He served on the Trade & Transportation Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta as well as the board of trustees at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
