Don Ake, vice president of commercial vehicles at FTR Transportation Intelligence, will retire at the end of September, the research firm announced in a press release.
Ake has been the VP of commercial vehicles at FTR since 2013. His responsibilities included forecasting and analysis of the Class 8, commercial trailer, and medium-duty truck markets. Ake began his career in the industry with equipment supplier Hendrickson in 1993 and has worked at firms related to transportation ever since.
“The trucking industry is by far the best industry I have ever worked in. The people are helpful, hardworking, and honest,” Ake said. “My time at FTR has been wonderful—they are a great company. I will miss the talented people I have worked with at FTR as well as the challenges of forecasting equipment demand in this complex industry.”
FleetOwner has often cited Ake in its reportage on the trucking industry, relaying his market analysis to communicate to readers everything from possible economic outcomes of the truckmaking market for the year to the nuances of Class 8 supply-and-demand cycles.
FTR’s Charlie Roth, analyst of commercial vehicles, will assume the market forecasting duties for the research firm.
Eric Starks, chairman and CEO of FTR, said, “Don has brought such a wealth of information to FTR and a unique way of presenting his forecasts for the truck and trailer industry. He’s been a huge part of our success and he’ll be missed. We wish him the best.”
Ake is also the author of three short essay humor books. His fourth book, "Deep Heavy Stuff," is scheduled for release early next year. He said he plans to write more books in retirement.
