Jun 1, 2001 12:00 PM, Tim Parry, web editor

The American Trucking Assns. (ATA) is looking for a new leader today after president & CEO Walter B. McCormick Jr. accepted the same position with another lobbying group, the United States Telecom Association (USTA). ATA chairman Duane Acklie announced today that Bill Canary will take over as acting CEO on July 1. Canary, ATA's senior vp for state federation and intergovernmental affairs, said he will not be a candidate for the permanent position. USTA is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association for both local telephone companies and global providers of telecommunications services. "We are bringing someone to USTA with broad experience in telecommunications policy, regulation and government affairs, strong management and proven leadership," said Michael R. Coletrane, USTA chairman. "I leave for an extraordinary opportunity and I look forward with great enthusiasm to the challenges ahead in my new role," McCormick said. "It is a position that offers me the potential for significant personal and professional growth. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to play a leading role in an advocacy organization with century-old roots, and in an industry that is transforming the modern world." Acklie said McCormick carried out a member-driven reorganization that sharply focused ATA on advocacy and reduced dues while still keeping ATA fiscally sound. "Under his leadership, the industry united behind ATA and delivered an unprecedented string of legislative and regulatory victories," Acklie said. "Walter understood that trucking's victories come from our unity as an industry."