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NIT League honors ATA leader Graves as top logistics executive for 2012

Yesterday, the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) presented the 2012 Logistics Executive of the Year Award to American Trucking Associations Inc. (ATA) President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Graves.

Presented jointly by NITL and Logistics Management magazine, the award recognizes an outstanding individual or organization in the freight transportation industry.

Graves served as governor of Kansas from 1995 to 2002 and was named ATA's top executive in 2003. During his tenure with the association, Graves has been an effective advocate and outspoken proponent for an increase in the federal motor fuels tax to finance infrastructure improvements; better fuel economy standards for large trucks; safe and practical rules for drivers' hours of service; and greater drug and alcohol testing of long-haul drivers, NITL officials said in a prepared statement.

"Leadership is a rare quality that combines a number of valuable traits. Governor Graves is certainly one of Washington's outstanding and powerful people, but it's his leadership skills that set him apart," said NITL President and CEO Bruce Carlton.
 
Last year, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood won the award.