Leathers is stepping into the role already well acquainted with the ATRI’s board, being a member since October 2015. He will join a board of 12 other trucking industry leaders.

“Derek has been a strong supporter of ATRI’s research in his years of service on our board and is well-respected throughout the industry,” ATRI President Rebecca Brewster said. “We look forward to his tenure as ATRI chair.”

Leathers will be stepping into a significant role that in the past has seen great advancement for the trucking industry. McReynold’s eight-year tenure as chairperson was highly acclaimed even beyond the scope of ATRI.

“Under Judy’s leadership, ATRI’s research has gained worldwide recognition for its objective analyses of key industry issues on topics ranging from litigation research, the truck parking shortage, congestion, highway funding and the environment,” said Chris Spear, American Trucking Associations’ president. “Derek is the perfect choice to continue ATRI’s leadership in advancing the industry’s safety and productivity.”

Leathers has accrued over 30 years of experience in transportation and logistics, with 20 of those years coming from his dedicated time at Werner. He has served in an array of roles at Werner, including being a part of the formation of Werner’s Mexico cross-border operations. He also oversaw the asset operating groups that led the launch of Werner Global Logistics.

The ATRI is the trucking industry’s nonprofit research organization; it is committed to research that promotes and creates pathways for a safe and efficient U.S. transportation system. Leathers, with his abundant experience, will be well-equipped to further these purposes.

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• Marijuana: Impacts of Decriminalization on Trucking Industry. As more states move to decriminalize marijuana and other Schedule I drugs, this study would update ATRI’s 2019 report by examining roadway safety and workforce impacts in those states that have changed their controlled substance laws.

• Quantifying Industry Impacts from Predatory Towing. Predatory towing can take many forms – including tow operators who park near known crash locations, take possession of vehicles, and charge exorbitant rates for release of the vehicle and cargo. This research will quantify the extent of the issue and identify best practices from states that have successfully addressed unscrupulous tow operators through legislation.

• Efficacy of Driver Training on Safety Outcomes and Driver Retention. Driver shortage and driver retention were identified as the top two industry concerns in 2021.  Understanding how initial driver training contributes to the successful and safe integration of new entrants into trucking will be the focus of this research, updating an earlier ATRI study from 2008.

• Utilizing EB-3 Work Permits to Help Mitigate the Driver Shortage. This research will explore the potential for recruiting drivers from outside the U.S. through the employer-sponsored EB-3 Work Permit.

• SEC Climate Rule Impacts on the Trucking Industry. This research will quantify the potential impacts of new SEC climate rules on the trucking industry and their supply chains, focusing on possible Scope 3 reporting requirements. In particular, it will document entities within the supply chain of publicly traded companies that will have to report carbon outputs.

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