Board of Directors

Frances Craig-Watson has been with UPS in the Transportation industry for over 19 years.

Frances earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Spring Hill College in 1999 and a Master of Public Administration Degree from Valdosta State University in 2005.

Frances is currently the Transportation Feeder Division Manager for the South Florida Division of UPS. In 2008, Frances was promoted to Full Time Feeder On-Road Supervisor. In October 2008, she attended the UPS Driver Training School (DTS), where she certified as a Feeder Driver Trainer. During her tenure at UPS, Frances has had multiple roles while at UPS in different areas of transportation including air operations, UPS Freight, and Feeders. Her current responsibilities include managing and overseeing all feeder operations in Central and South Florida which includes over 600 employees working in 39  buildings and 2 ground hub facilities.

Frances is a member of the Jacksonville Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In her 25 years in the sorority, she has served as Chapter President and a member of varies committees. Currently, she serves on the Social Action Committee and will participate in the Delta Days at the Nation’s Capital in March. Frances’ true passion is philanthropy, social action, and volunteerism. Frances was the feeder liaison for UPS Road Code at Edward White High School in Jacksonville, Florida. She also serves as the UPS Coordinator for Sanctuary on 8th Street, a non-profit organization that provides after school and summer activities to African American youth in Jacksonville. Frances is also the Feeder Transportation Coordinator for Toys for Tots in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Within UPS, Frances is also very active as well. She currently serves on the Corporate Women in Operations Business Resource Group Committee as the Women In Operations BRG Co-Chair in Florida Other Business Resource Groups Frances is also a member of include the African American BRG, Women Leadership Development BRG, Women BRG, and the North Atlantic Real Talk Committee BRG. Frances led an initiative to develop the Feeder Mentoring Program in conjunction with the North Atlantic Real Talk Committee. The initiative was to introduce more women to the Feeder Department to increase diversity and promote inclusion as well as promoting trucking as a more favorable job for women within UPS. Frances developed a teen program – UPS D.R.I.V.E that was coordinated with the Jacksonville Fire Department and Florida Highway Patrol. This program targeted teens between the ages of 13-17 of UPSers to give them information and resources as they began to drive. Frances was the United Way Coordinator for Jacksonville Feeders and successfully led her division to their monetary goal. From 2022-2022, Frances served as the Jacksonville Feeder Covid Response Coordinator, assisting all employees who were affected by Covid and serving as a liaison to the UPS Occupational Health Department.

Frances serves as the Florida UPS Truck Driving Championship (TDC) Coordinator. Her team has successfully had 7 drivers place in the Florida competition including 2 first place winners that went on to compete in the National Truck Driving Championship. 

Frances’ current accomplishments include becoming a member of the Women In Trucking Association, Being named a member of the Women In Operations DTS Executive Committee, to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for feeder driver trainers within UPS. She was currently appointed to the Women In Motion Advisory Board for the American Trucking Association. 

Shelley Dellinger has been in the transportation industry for more than two decades, with over half of her time being spent in the retention and recruitment of drivers.   She is skilled in developing and implementing programs that have resulted in increased employee satisfaction and engagement. Passionate about uncovering ideal candidates and making matches. She is proud to be a part of the trucking industry and a small part of making the wheels go round.

She is most proud of her two daughters, a lawyer and a nurse. She enjoys traveling, especially trips to different mission fields. Dellinger has a BA in Psychology from Lenoir Rhyne University and lives in Conover, NC.  

Laurie joined Transport Topics in September of 2011, covering advertising sales for the Midwest region. In her role, Laurie manages the accounts of display advertisers including the sale of advertising space and other Transport Topics products to new and existing accounts. She also represents Transport Topics at industry trade shows and conferences. 

Prior to coming to ATA, Laurie spent over a decade managing account sales for companies such as Business News Publishing Co., Fox Associates, Inc., The Aegis Group, and The Longaberger Company.  

Outside of professional pursuits, Laurie enjoys working out, rooting for Michigan State University Football and Basketball, reading, traveling and spending time with her family. 

Mandy Graham has been with the organization for over 25 years. Her background includes Underwriting, Business Development, and Industry Outreach. As COO, Mandy works directly with Great West’s five regional offices as well as the Joe Morten & Son agency and oversees Corporate Marketing activities. Mandy’s designations include CPCU, CIC, AU, CISR, AIS and INS. She has held Board of Directors positions with the Oregon Trucking Association and the American Red Cross, and currently serves as Treasurer for the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, Mandy joined the Women In Motion Advisory Council of the American Trucking Associations, serving as co-Chair of the Influence Pillar.

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Jaime Hamm started her career with Werner Enterprises in the Safety Department in 1997. She has held several positions within Safety, including Assistant Supervisor of Log Compliance, Manager of Log Compliance, Corporate Safety Specialist, Corporate Safety Manager, Manager of Loss Prevention within the Risk Department and Senior Director of Safety Compliance. In 2013, Jaime was promoted to Vice President of Safety and Compliance, where she now oversees 250 Safety and Terminal Management associates. At Werner, safety is the top priority, and Jaime continually researches and executes new methods to improve safety results and keep professional drivers in the safest trucks possible.

Heavily involved in the trucking industry, Jaime is a Safety Policy Committee Member for the American Trucking Association, as well as a former Chair on the Technology and Engineering Policy Committee. Currently, she serves on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee and is a Board member for the PrePass Safety Alliance. She played a pivotal role in implementing hair follicle testing at Werner, sleep apnea testing and compliance monitoring. She works closely with the executive team to advance the performance and safety of Werner’s professional drivers so they can keep America moving. 

Rhonda Hartman has been a professional truck driver for 37 years and has accumulated more than 2.7 million accident-free miles. She is a professional truck driver for Old Dominion Freight Lines. 

Rhonda began her career as an owner-operator starting in 1983. She ran 48 states, Canada, and Mexico.

Rhonda is a member of the Iowa Road Team and is a recipient of the 6-year safe driving award from Old Dominion Freight Lines. She has participated in the Iowa Truck Driving Championships for six years placing twice in 2nd place and twice in 3rd place. Rhonda was recognized for 10 years of safe driving with her previous employer, Walmart Transportation.

Rhonda’s favorite thing to do since making America’s Road Team is educating young drivers on how to 
be safe around trucks and attending career days, letting people know what a great industry trucking is.

Rhonda lives in Des Moines, Iowa and has 5 children and 10 grandchildren.

Kendra Hems has been serving as President of the Trucking Association of New York since 2008. In this role, she serves as a liaison between the trucking industry, state agencies, and the legislature, actively advocating for the interests of the industry by promoting highway safety, providing educational programs and fostering a healthy business environment.

Ms. Hems served as National Chair of the Trucking Association Executive Council in 2017 and previously served as a Regional Chair of the Council in 2012. She served as a member of the American Transportation Research Institute’s Advisory Committee from 2011-2013, and from 2004-2007 served as President of the board of the North American Pre-Clearance System (NORPASS), a partnership of state and provincial agencies and trucking industry representatives who work together to promote commercial vehicle safety, efficiency and effectiveness throughout North America.

In November of 2010, Ms. Hems was named to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s transition team on transportation and infrastructure. In 2012 she was added to Governor Cuomo’s Chairman’s Committee to help identify ways to reduce burdens on New York business. In May of 2020 Ms. Hems was appointed to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Surface Transportation Council to advise on transportation issues related to COVID-19. She also served on the Climate Action and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) Transportation Advisory Panel to provide recommendations on how to achieve New York’s ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Ms. Hems was recognized by her peers in 2014 with the Trucking Association Executive Council Leadership Award. In 2018 she was recognized by City & State with a Rebuilding New York Award for her work to improve efficient freight delivery in New York City. The Truck Renting and Leasing Association presented Ms. Hems with their State Trucking Award in 2019. Ms. Hems also received the Responsible 100 Award from City & State in 2019, which shines a light on an elite group of leaders who are setting new standards of excellence, dedication and leadership in improving their communities and making transformative change. In 2021 and 2022 Ms. Hems was included in City & State’s Transportation Power 100, identifying individuals who are updating and expanding the state’s transportation infrastructure – and revisioning how New Yorkers get around.

Ms. Hems joined the association in 1999, first as the organization’s Director of Safety, Maintenance and Technology Programs, and then as Deputy Director, prior to serving as President. She was previously employed by AMI Leasing and Logistics as the Director of Logistics, and by Lake Shore Transportation Lines as a Dispatcher.

Ms. Hems earned her BA in Management Science from the SUNY College at Oswego.

Tina Peterson has been a professional truck driver for 17 years and has accumulated over 2 million  accident-free miles. She is a professional driver for Ravenwood Transport signed on to FedEx Ground.

Tina was the 2017 recipient of the FedEx Humanitarian award and has also participated in the Convoy for Special Olympics representing FedEx. She is a member of the FedEx Ground Safety Committee at the St. Paul, Minnesota terminal and is a 16-year recipient of their Safe Driving Award. In 2019, Tina was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year for FedEx Ground.

Tina lives in Blaine, Minnesota.

Megan Melichar has multiple years of experience at various FedEx operating companies and business areas, predominantly focused on process improvement, safety, finance and leadership. A background in accounting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance, Megan has facilitated several business areas with project management and strategic improvements.  Megan joined the Safety organization at FedEx Ground in 2012 and held multiple progressive roles, including Director, for 8 years, and led the organization to adopt vehicle safety technology.  Megan is currently Managing Director Finance, at FedEx Ground, where her team conducts several financial planning & analysis functions for the organization.

Megan has a Bachelor’s of Science in Management & Accounting from University of Pittsburgh, and a Master’s in Forensic Accounting from Duquesne University.  She holds Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Forensic Examiner (CFE) licenses.  Megan is an ATA LEAD graduate from Class 2016-2017.  Megan is a Board member of North Hills Community Outreach, which helps people in need in multiple neighborhoods of Pittsburgh’s northern Allegheny County.  She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband Joe and their two children, Margot (5) and Merrick (2).

“I love the transportation industry, from the amazing people and relationships, to delighting customers, and knowing we move America and the world forward.  Our industry will be rapidly changing over the next several years and I look forward to witnessing how we harness data and embrace automation to improve processes and efficiencies, and make the world a safer, more sustainable place; however, I’ll stay here because of the passionate and committed people!”

Dr. Alix Miller is the President and CEO of Florida Trucking Association, the sole state liaison between the trucking industry and the legislative, regulatory, and judicial branches of state and federal government. In her role, she directs advocacy efforts on behalf of the 400+ association member companies and works directly with public and private sector executives to promote and protect the trucking industry. She serves on a number of state and federal committees, including FDOT’s Florida Transportation Plan Committee and American Trucking Associations’ Legal Reform Advisory Committee.  In 2021, Senate President Wilton Simpson reappointed her to the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Alix is a member of the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists and on the Board of Directors for Floridians for Better Transportation.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and both an MFA and Ph.D. from Florida State University

Rebecca Pohl Liette is the Vice President of Marketing at Pohl Transportation, which is her family’s company. The company has been open since 1991, and Liette has worked there since 2003. Liette started off in the general office and was trained in almost every department of the company including Billing, Safety, and Customer Service. Rebecca attended the University of Dayton and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Alex serves as the VP of Legislative Affairs for the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and lobbies Members of Congress on topics related to trade, labor, workforce development, homeland security, defense, and infrastructure, among others. She also manages ATA’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board and serves as co-chair of the Advocacy Subcommittee for ATA’s Women in Motion program. Prior to joining ATA’s Office of Legislative Affairs, Alex served as ATA’s Manager of Customs, Immigration, and Cross-Border Operations, where she focused on international trade policy and played an integral role in ATA’s advocacy efforts related to ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA). During this time, Alex was selected to represent the trucking industry on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining ATA, Alex served on the Committee on Homeland Security in the U.S. House of Representatives and specialized in transportation and border security. Alex graduated summa cum laude from Bucknell University and received her master’s degree in government from Johns Hopkins University.

Kiera Sullivan is Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Continental Express, Inc., a truckload carrier and full-service logistics company headquartered in Sidney, Ohio, that specializes in the transport of temperature-controlled and dedicated-route freight. Continental operates approximately 500 trucks and 1200 refrigerated trailers throughout the United States and has 8 different locations. Kiera is second generation in her family­ owned business. Prior to returning to Continental in 2011, Kiera was an attorney for a private legal practice.

Kiera is an active member with the Ohio Trucking Association, serving on the Board of Trustees since 2018. Kiera is also the  chair of the organization's Lawsuit Abuse Taskforce.  She is a current trustee of the Sidney-Shelby County Economic Partnership, a non-profit organization serving Kiera's local community, and is active with various other community and non-profit organizations.

Kiera earned her law degree from the University Of Dayton School Of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Dayton. Kiera and her husband, Brad, have 3 children and reside in Minster, Ohio. 

Marilyn Surber serves as the VP of Sales and Marketing at Drivers Legal Plan and was previously Head of Industry Relations at Tenstreet since 2019. Marilyn has been a part of the transportation industry since 2008. She is passionate about serving the transportation industry and is an advocate for transportation community. She has over 15 years’ experience in corporate communication, recruiting, safety and driver training. Prior to joining Tenstreet, Marilyn served in a number of roles with Melton Truck Lines and Hilti, Inc. Marilyn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from The University of Tulsa. She served on the Board of Directors for the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, where she was named Member of the Year in 2019 and was selected by Oklahoma Magazine as a Top 40 under 40 for the state of Oklahoma in 2019. Marilyn is an active member of American Trucking Association, Truckload Carriers Association, Commercial Vehicle Training Association and the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools and numerous state trucking Associations. In addition, Marilyn serves on the Women In Motion Advisory Board for ATA and the North Carolina Trucking Association Women In Trucking Advisory Board.

Nicole (Nikki) Thomas is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in event planning, project management, and marketing. Her passion for music led her to begin her career working on special projects for a music education association, where she honed her skills in project management and event planning. 

After gaining valuable experience in the music education industry, Nikki transitioned to the nonprofit sector, working for the Make-A-Wish Foundation's DC, VA, and MD chapter. In this role, she planned and executed numerous events and fundraisers that aligned with the mission of the foundation.

In 2008, Nikki joined the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), where she spent nearly 15 years running events and programs for the association and its educational foundation. During her tenure, she took on a leadership role in the marketing campaigns for IPAA, helping to raise awareness of the organization and its initiatives and was also the staff liaison for its Capital Markets Committee.

Outside of her professional work, Nikki has been involved in several charitable events, including the National Brain Tumor Society's Walk for Hope and the Walk Off Parkinson's event produced by the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area.

Nikki is a graduate of Bridgewater College, where she earned a degree in Communication Studies and Business. She is married and has one daughter. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and volunteering in her community. 

Sarah Wellman is Director of Corporate Affairs at Ryder System, Inc. Sarah leads Ryder's government relations, industry engagement, and sustainability reporting.

Sarah has 10 years in the transportation industry and over 15 years in public service, which extended to working on Capitol Hill for two U.S. Senators with a focus on transportation, trade, energy, environment, and agriculture. Her political experience includes numerous campaigns across all levels of government.

Sarah serves as the American Trucking Associations Environmental & Energy Policy Committee Vice Chair, Women in Motion Advisory Council Advocacy Co-Chair, Truck PAC Board of Director, Strategic Priorities Committee member, and holds an officer position on the Florida Trucking Association Board of Directors.

Sarah graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and minors in Political Science and Public Relations. 

Emily Williams is a seasoned sales professional in the field of transportation and fleet management.  Her career started in technology sales but she found her way into trucking in 2014.  Her various roles exposed her to the intricacies of the transportation industry, as well as the profound impact that data-driven insights could have on optimizing operations. Her exceptional skills in understanding customer needs and building relationships soon earned her promotions and awards. As Manager of Business Development for Transportation at Geotab, the global leader of telematics, Emily continues to be a driving force in the trucking industry.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Emily is known for her involvement in both the Ohio Trucking and North Carolina Trucking Associations.  She is a proud mother of three children and resides in Columbus, Ohio.  She firmly believes in empowering the next generation of leaders and strives to create a more diverse and inclusive community in the trucking industry. 

Hope Zvara is the CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga®, a company devoted to improving truck drivers' fitness and wellness standards. Hope has been featured in Yahoo News, Forbes, PBS, and is a regular guest on SiriusXM Radio. Hope’s easily implementable strategies have been sought after by many, leading her to write the Book Trucking Yoga Simple Fitness for the Long Haul. She also launched Road Relief Wellness™, a pain relief and wellness product line for truckers and travelers sold in truck stops nationwide. Her practical tools and strategies have helped thousands of drivers go from unhealthy and out of options to feeling good again, all while living over the road as a trucker.