The hall of fame is open to the public and celebrates the careers and achievements of industry leaders who have made a lasting impact on trucking.

On October 22, ATHS welcomed its fifth class of honorees:

• Roy Carver – Carver founded Bandag Incorporated in 1957, creating a tire retreading system and building the company’s first finishing line. Today, Bandag has more than 1,700 dealers worldwide.
• Lewis Semple Clarke – Clarke built the “Autocar No. 1” in 1897, now housed in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Autocar is the oldest vehicle nameplate in the U.S. and the only truck manufacturer dedicated entirely to severe-duty vocational applications.
• Joseph Morten – In 1936, Joe Morten & Son Inc. launched to help truckers navigate new state and federal regulations. The company remains a leading commercial trucking insurance agency with over 9,000 customers across 46 states.

“This year, we found three candidates we thought were really worthy,” said Tom Mullen, ATIL Hall of Fame chair. “There are many more out there, and we look forward to honoring them in 2026 and beyond. It really does speak to the history of the industry, and that’s really what we’re all about.”

The new inductees bring the hall of fame’s total to 18 members, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

Past Honorees Include:

• 2024: John Ruan (Ruan Transportation), Marvin Rush (Rush Enterprises), Frederick McKinley Jones (Thermo King), Robert Young (ABF Freight)
• 2023: Harry Kent and Edgar Worthington (Kenworth), Al and Don Schneider (Schneider National Inc.), Ted Rogers (American Trucking Associations), Frank Seiberling (Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company)
• 2022: Bill and Carolyn Moon (Iowa 80), Leland James (Freightliner Trucks), Earl and Lillian Congdon (Old Dominion Freight Line)
• 2021: Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Clessie Lyle Cummins (Cummins Engine Co.), John Jack and Gus Mack (Mack Trucks Inc.), Dave Nemo (Radio Nemo)

For truckers, the ATIL Hall of Fame is more than a tribute. It’s a reminder of the people who built the industry and the innovations that continue to keep trucks on the road across America.

Source: Land Line Media

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“There are some impressive female trailblazers who have made significant contributions to the trucking industry,” shares Jennifer Hedrick, CAE, President and CEO of the Women in Trucking Association (WIT).

Source: Women in Trucking

The trucking industry holds a rich history of extraordinary women who defied expectations and left lasting legacies. Here are just a few of the inspiring pioneers who revolutionized the field.

Bertha Benz (1849–1944)

Although not directly tied to trucking, Bertha Benz’s influence on motorized transportation is indisputable. She played a crucial role in the evolution of motor vehicles, financially backing her husband Karl Benz’s automotive invention. Bertha’s bold decision to take an unprecedented test drive in 1888 highlighted the potential of motorized vehicles to reshape travel and logistics, ultimately laying the groundwork for the modern trucking industry.

Marie Luhring (1899–1970)

Marie Luhring shattered gender norms as one of America’s first female truck designers. Overcoming the odds, she became the first female associate of the American Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in 1920. Her groundbreaking work at the International Motor Company opened doors for women in the field of automotive and truck engineering, inspiring numerous generations of female designers to follow her lead.

Lillie Elizabeth Drennan (1897–1974)

Lillie Drennan holds the distinction of being the first licensed female truck driver in the United States. Co-founding Drennan Truck Line in 1929, she managed her Texas-based trucking company for over 24 years despite facing significant prejudice. Drennan’s unwavering determination and business acumen showed that talent and skill—not outdated notions of gender—define success in trucking.

Luella Bates (1897–1985)

When World War I left gaps in the workforce, Luella Bates rose to the challenge. Initially serving as a truck mechanic, Bates soon became the first woman officially hired as a truck driver by the Four Wheel Drive Auto Co. in Wisconsin. She excelled as both a test and commercial driver, proving that women could master demanding roles within the industry. Post-war, Bates championed women in trucking, urging them to enter and thrive in the field.

Women Driving Progress Today

Modern leaders are taking the torch from past pioneers, spearheading innovation and pushing for inclusivity within the trucking industry. The Women in Trucking Association recognizes these forward-thinking professionals through honors like the Influential Women in Trucking and Distinguished Woman in Logistics awards.

Tracy Rushing – RE Garrison Trucking

Tracy Rushing stands out as a key voice in trucking safety and workforce equality. Serving as Executive Director of Safety and Recruiting at RE Garrison Trucking, Rushing has integrated advanced safety measures and driven initiatives to increase women’s participation in the field. Her efforts have been widely recognized, including her 2024 Influential Woman in Trucking award from WIT. A member of organizations like the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), Rushing exemplifies the balance of innovation and inclusivity needed for the industry’s future.

Shelley Simpson – J.B. Hunt Transport

Shelley Simpson’s career at J.B. Hunt Transport reflects consistent leadership excellence. Starting as a customer service representative in 1994, Simpson rose through the ranks to become President and CEO. She’s played a pivotal role in transforming the company’s business operations and technology innovations, including the development of J.B. Hunt 360°, a proprietary platform aimed at increasing freight efficiency. Her career path demonstrates how understanding every level of a business can lead to impactful, forward-thinking leadership.

Honoring Women’s Contributions to Trucking

Women have had—and continue to have—a profound impact on the trucking industry. From historic pioneers like Luella Bates and Lillie Drennan to modern change-makers like Tracy Rushing and Shelley Simpson, these women are challenging stereotypes, driving innovation, and reshaping the industry landscape for future generations.

Their stories remind us that success depends on talent and perseverance, not gender. To explore more about influential women shaping the trucking industry, visit resources provided by the Women in Trucking Association.

Source: Women in Trucking

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Bill Moon: The King of the Long Haul

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to truly live on the road, look no further than Bill Moon. Back in the 1950s, this guy wasn’t just driving. He was dominating the highways. Bill made long hauls look easy, but he was also one of the first to speak up about trucker rights—back when safety standards weren’t what they are now. He was a big voice in the Long Haul Truckers Association, fighting for better working conditions and safer roads, knowing how hard life could be for drivers out there.

Bill didn’t just haul freight—he made sure others could do it more safely and with more respect. His work paved the way for the safety regulations we often take for granted today.

Smokey Smith: A Trucking Advocate Who Made Sure Drivers Were Heard

Before the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) became what it is today, Fred “Smokey” Smith was already fighting for the rights of independent drivers. In the 1970s, Smokey realized that truckers were being overlooked, and he wasn’t about to stand for it. He saw that owner-operators, especially, were getting the short end of the stick, and he took action by founding OOIDA, which to this day continues to represent the independent driver.

His legacy isn’t just about the battles he fought—it’s the fact that truckers have a voice in the halls of government today, thanks to Smokey. He helped ensure that independent drivers weren’t left behind and gave them a platform to push for better pay, safer working conditions, and fair treatment.

Johnny McKnight: Pushing the Limits with Speed and Skill

Speed records don’t mean much if you don’t have the skills to back them up, but that’s where Johnny McKnight came in. Back in the 1960s, Johnny wasn’t just about going fast—he was about doing it safely. McKnight set a bunch of speed records, showing that you didn’t have to sacrifice safety for speed. He proved that truckers could go the distance, not just in mileage but in skill, without cutting corners.

In an industry where speed and efficiency are essential, Johnny showed the world that it was possible to push the limits while staying in control. If you’ve ever put your pedal to the floor on an empty highway and felt the rush, you know exactly what Johnny was about.

The Everyday Drivers Who Keep the Country Moving

It’s easy to look at the legends of the industry and forget the thousands of truckers who are still putting in the work every single day. The drivers you see on the road, hauling everything from food to medicine, are the backbone of America’s trucking industry. They don’t get the headlines or the recognition, but without them, nothing moves.

These everyday truckers, the ones who never get their names in lights, are what keep this country rolling. They sacrifice time with family, deal with endless miles, and face all kinds of weather, all to make sure that the goods we rely on make it from point A to point B.

Honoring the Legacy: It’s Your Turn

The trucking industry wasn’t built by the folks in offices or the companies behind the fleets—it was built by drivers who cared about their work and the people they were working for. Every time you hit the road, you’re walking in the footsteps of giants who helped make this career what it is.

The next time you pull into a rest area or roll down an empty stretch of highway, remember that you’re part of a legacy of drivers who have shaped America’s roads, and you’re continuing the work they started.

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