The Truckload Carriers Association has begun a leadership transition, confirming that President Jim Ward plans to retire “in the coming months” and launching a search for his successor. The association’s officers have formed a committee and opened applications as of October 2–3, 2025, marking the first change at the top since Ward took the helm in 2022.
Why it matters: TCA is the principal voice for the truckload segment across North America. The next president will set the tone on Capitol Hill and with federal regulators at a time when carriers are juggling cost inflation, equipment cycles, and shifting safety and technology standards. TCA says it wants a leader who can deepen Washington relationships and “embrace innovation and technology,” signaling a mandate to pair policy advocacy with practical, tech-informed operating know‑how.
The job specification, published alongside the announcement, spells out a broad remit: strategy and growth of the association’s value proposition; government affairs; member engagement across carrier and supplier communities; technology adoption; financial stewardship; and board governance. Applications are being accepted at a dedicated email, with a submission deadline of November 1, 2025.
Ward’s tenure coincided with a post-pandemic reset for truckload carriers. Before joining TCA’s staff, he spent three decades at D.M. Bowman—two of them as president and CEO—and previously served as TCA chairman. That blend of fleet operating experience and association leadership helped the group expand programs and member engagement over the past three years, according to multiple statements published this week.
Scale underscores the stakes. TCA’s member carriers operate more than 220,000 trucks and generate in excess of $40 billion in annual revenue, giving the association outsized influence on issues that directly shape fleet budgets and service commitments. A smooth handoff will matter to members expecting continuity on safety initiatives, education, and benchmarking while the market continues to find its footing.
What’s next: The search committee has not disclosed a shortlist or timetable for naming Ward’s successor, but the public posting and hard application cutoff indicate an accelerated process. For carriers, this transition is a signal to stay engaged—whether by contributing to policy positions, nominating candidates who understand the realities of running trucks today, or leveraging TCA’s training and leadership pipelines to keep talent moving up while the top job changes hands.
Sources: FreightWaves, Truckload Carriers Association, DC Velocity, FleetOwner
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