Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Oct. 4, 2024:
Atlas extends contract of chairman, CEO
The Atlas World Group (CCJ Top 250, No. 49) Board of Directors recently announced it has extended the contract of Chairman and CEO Jack Griffin. The contract extension signals the board’s confidence that Atlas will continue to thrive into 2025 and beyond under Griffin’s leadership, the company said.
Elected as CEO in November 2016, Griffin guides the strategic vision of Atlas World Group and its 10 subsidiaries while advancing the company’s footprint and position in the relocation, moving, transportation, and logistics industries.
“Jack Griffin is a leader we trust,” the Board said in a statement. “He is a market leader, a thought leader, and a quality leader who has driven Atlas to the forefront of the industry during his tenure. From employees and agents to customers and shareholders, Jack has all of Atlas’ best interests at heart. Our management team is the strongest we have ever had, and under Jack’s continued leadership and adherence to the Atlas Pathways Strategic Plan, we know this organization will continue to grow.”
Griffin has more than 30 years of experience in the transportation industry and has led Atlas to some of its greatest successes while navigating a volatile and rapidly changing market, the Board noted. In recent years, he has overseen three major acquisitions, welcomed a leading national moving company back to the Atlas Agent family, and directed an organizational pricing reset that cemented Atlas as the industry leader.
“It is a great privilege to serve this company and everyone who relies on Atlas’ services,” said Griffin. “While the past four years have not been without their challenges, I am proud to report that Atlas remains fiscally and operationally strong. I am grateful to the Board for their continued trust and support and am confident that Atlas will carry our steady momentum forward for years to come.”
Wyoming transitioning to electronic permit system
The Wyoming Department of Transportation, through the Commercial Carrier Section of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, is transitioning to an electronic system for all carriers and Wyoming Self-Issuing Permit Program holders.
The ProMiles e-permitting system is already in use in several neighboring states and began its rollout in Wyoming on Oct. 1. The new system will improve administration of self-issued permits related to all oversize and overweight loads on Wyoming highways, WYDOT said.
While the guidelines for obtaining permits will not change, the new system will streamline the process, making it more efficient and user-friendly.
As e-permitting launches, the Wyoming Highway Patrol set up a one-year transition period to answer questions from carriers and provide training and support for those who are currently enrolled in the Wyoming Self-Issuing Permit Program. State officials believe the year-long conversion will allow sufficient time for all users to become familiar with the program.
“We value all of the Wyoming Self-Issuing Permit Program holders,” said Troy McAlpine of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. “We understand the connectivity challenges that carriers may face, especially in rural Wyoming, and they will still be able to obtain clearances and permits by phone through a Port of Entry. We want everyone to be successful in this transition.”
McAlpine added that in the rare event that the website or phones are experiencing technical outages, Ports of Entry will still be able to issue permits.
Carriers with questions about the new e-permitting system are encouraged to reach out to Troy McAlpine (307-777-4876) or Dustin Bumbaca (307-777-3958) with the highway patrol's Commercial Carrier Section.
Nominations open for TCA’s Fleet Safety Awards
The Truckload Carriers Association announced Thursday that nominations for the 2024 Fleet Safety Awards are officially open through Nov. 8.
The competition is open to all TCA carrier members and will honor those placing first, second, and third in six mileage-based divisions. Division winners are then invited to compete for one of two grand prizes.
Nominations for the program can be made here.
Winners of the award will be honored in person at TCA’s annual convention, Truckload 2025: Phoenix in March, and the Safety & Security Meeting in June.
Great West Casualty Company is the presenting sponsor of the program, with Assured Partners as the major sponsor.
Forward Air announces new Board appointee
Forward Air Corporation (CCJ Top 250, No. 31) has appointed Jerome Lorrain its Board of Directors, effective Oct. 1.
Lorrain has more than 30 years of experience serving in a variety of roles in the logistics and transportation industry. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer of CEVA Logistics (No. 69), and currently serves as director of Log-Hub, a supply chain solution and optimization company, and as the executive chairman of FluentCargo, a routing solutions provider.
Additionally, Lorrain formerly served as a director of SeaFrigo and as the chairman of Arrive Logistics and Pilot Freight Services.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to welcome Jerome as a new director of Forward Air,” said George Mayes, Independent Chairman of the Board. “His experience in the transportation and logistics sector will add tremendous value to our Board, our company and its 7,000+ employees. His insights and experience will serve us well as we continue our integration and transformation journey, leveraging the unique platform created by our transaction with Omni from which we are now providing best-in-class domestic expedited less-than-truckload services, as well as global freight forwarding and contract logistics services.”
The company also announced that R. Craig Carlock has decided to step down from the Board, effective Oct. 15, consistent with Forward’s commitment to ongoing refreshment.
Following Carlock’s departure, the Board will continue to be comprised of 12 directors, 11 of whom are independent and seven of whom have been appointed since closing of the Omni transaction.
[Related: Forward Air shakes up leadership team after bungled Omni Logistics acquisition]