The American Trucking Assns. (ATA) has appointed Mary Phillips as senior vp of Legislative Affairs. Phillips is also returning to ATA, where she served as vp of Legislative Affairs in 2005 and 2006. At that time, ATA said she focused on the lobbying group’s efforts to secure reauthorization of the federal highway bill, including organizing the safety and hazardous materials titles of that bill.
“We are delighted to have Mary join our staff,” said ATA president & CEO Gov. Bill Graves. “Her tremendous understanding of trucking, transportation and the workings of Capitol Hill will be a great asset to our members and bolster our advocacy work relating to the industry’s core issues of safety, essentiality and sustainability.”
In her new position, Phillips will lead ATA’s efforts on Capitol Hill. ATA noted that among the many issues facing trucking industry in the upcoming Congress will be reauthorization of the current highway bill as well as a number of tax-related matters, and transportation security.
Before re-joining ATA, Phillips served as a Senior Professional Staff Member for the Senate Commerce Committee’s Surface Transportation Subcommittee, a position she also held from 2002 through 2004.
Between her two tours with Senate Commerce, Phillips served as the Associate Administrator for Policy and Governmental Affairs at the Federal Highway Administration and as ATA vp of Legislative Affairs.
Phillips has also held positions in the railroad industry in marketing, sales, strategic planning, and governmental affairs.