TMC Celebrates Graduates of Trucking Leadership Class

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council celebrated the graduates of its seventh leadership program class during an awards ceremony March 12 at the 2025 Annual Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition.

TMC Leaders of Tomorrow is dedicated to developing future transportation industry leaders. That includes finding people who would make good council participants. The 2025 graduating class consisted of seven members.

“This class was truly filled with resilient, patient, determined and courageous individuals,” TLOT Chairwoman Ashley Schimmel said. “They have had to deal with constant changes as the first class to go through the new TLOT curriculum. These changes have come from myself and the TLOT Oversight Committee as we continue to grow and improve.”

Schimmel said one of the main additions to the curriculum was a group project that split the class in half. The intent was to develop fresh ideas of how to improve current practices. The graduating class valedictorian for this year was Ashley Rush from International Motors.

“I have learned so much from this class, and I hope you feel the same,” said Schimmel, who also works as a sales director for Transtex. “I think anyone who knows any of these individuals will agree, the passion they have for this industry is contagious. One of my favorite authors, Brené Brown, states, courage is contagious. To scale daring leadership and build courage, in teams and organizations, we have to cultivate a culture in which brave work, tough conversations and whole hearts are the expectation.”

Schimmel expressed confidence the graduates will cultivate a culture that is going to make the industry a better place. Rush echoed a similar sentiment when discussing her fellow graduates.

“I’m not only honored to be a part of this Class of 2025, but honored to be a valedictorian, a specialist and associate member,” Rush said. “We’ve been together for just two years. There’s seven of us who are very passionate, very different perspectives and very different careers. But we’ve been very busy in taking on new leadership roles.”

Rush added that the graduating class already includes a study group chairman, a study group first vice chairman, two study group second vice chairmen, two study group secretaries and a TMCSuperTech committee member. They have also chaired six different task forces.

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“This class was truly filled with resilient, patient, determined and courageous individuals,” TLOT Chairman said of the Class of 2025. (American Trucking Associations)

“Two of them that have gone to ballot and should be through the appeals process later this month,” Rush said. “We’ve also been involved with five different tech sessions. Collectively, we’ve been very ingrained and support six different study groups, and that’s just the last two years.”

Schimmel also was honored during the ceremony with the Recognized Associates Award. Other winners were Dan Miller from Peterson Manufacturing Co., Chas Voyles from International Motors, David Black from FlowBelow Aero and Brian Liimatta from Cummins.

“We’re now going to have 36 people as Recognized Associates,” said Roger Maye from ConMet. “My challenge to you is to help us identify some more. So please nominate anybody that you think, from your associates’ group, is rising above in doing their work.”

Maye was recognized with the Uncle Darrell Hicks TMC Mentor Award for helping those new to the industry.

Other Award Winners

• Brian Bishop, U.S. Xpress, Excellence in Maintenance Supervision Award

• J. David Walters, Alcoa Wheels, Gerri Murphy Membership Leadership Award

• Nick Rivera, ExxonMobil Corp., Study Group Secretaries Award

• Silver Eagle Manufacturing, Corporate Engagement Achievement Award

• Homer Hogg, TravelCenters of America, Peggy Fisher Study Group Leadership Award