Samara Strycker appointed EVP and CFO of International
International Motors recently appointed Samara Strycker as EVP and chief financial officer. She succeeds Do Young Kim, who was recently announced as the EVP and CFO of Scania Group.
Strycker most recently served as senior VP, corporate controller, and treasurer at International. She led post-merger finance integration activities, bringing together cross-cultural teams to share best practices and drive enhanced teamwork.
"Samara has proven expertise in finance, accounting, and operational efficiency," said Mathias Carlbaum, International president and CEO. "These skills will help drive forward International's transformation into a solutions-led and digitally enabled company."
Strycker, who officially starts in her new role on February 1, 2025, will report to Carlbaum and serve on the company's executive leadership team.
Scott Harris named regional VP of sales at Averitt
Averitt has named Scott Harris as the new regional VP of sales overseeing Texas. Harris steps into the role following the retirement of Larry Vannatta and brings more than 10 years of leadership experience within Averitt.
"Scott’s extensive experience and leadership qualities make him an excellent choice to follow Larry’s accomplished tenure," said Kent Williams, EVP of sales and marketing. "We are confident in his ability to continue strengthening customer relationships and driving sales growth throughout Texas."
In his new position, Harris will focus on enhancing Averitt’s sales strategies and ensuring customers in Texas receive tailored transportation and supply chain solutions.
See also: Transportation Transitions: New promotions, hires for Averitt, Merchants Fleet, Grote Industries
ATRI announces 2025-2026 Research Advisory Committee members
The American Transportation Research Institute recently released the names of those individuals appointed by the ATRI Board of Directors to serve on the 2025-2026 Research Advisory Committee. ATRI’s RAC is responsible for annually identifying the top research priorities for the trucking industry. RAC members represent a diverse cross-section of trucking industry stakeholders including motor carriers, industry suppliers, commercial drivers, shippers, law enforcement, academia, and government.
Andy Owens, CEO of A & M Transport was appointed to serve as Research Advisory Committee Chairman. The 2025-2026 ATRI Research Advisory Committee members are:
- Lindsay Bur, director of data science and economics at American Trucking Associations
- Sheri Call, president and CEO of the Washington Trucking Associations
- Jeremy Carmichael, VP of operations for Ruan Transportation Management Systems
- Carson Davidenko, executive advisor, custom critical, operations, FedEx Freight
- Erica Denney, freight planner, freight mobility and safety branch, Colorado Department of Transportation
- Vallie Dugas, VP and general counsel of Melton Truck Lines
- George Gerth, VP of safety for Carter Express, Inc.
- Frank Granieri, COO of supply chain solutions, A. Duie Pyle
- Ben Greenberg, president and CEO of the North Carolina Trucking Association
- Josh Hankins, SVP of safety, security, and driver personnel for J.B. Hunt Transport Inc.
- Robert Howard, president and COO for Dohrn Transfer Company
- Rich Johnson, VP of business readiness for Werner Enterprises
- Aravind Kailas, advanced technology policy director, Volvo Group North America
- Andrew King, assistant director of operations, OOIDA Foundation
- Tim Kordula, VP of risk management, Skinner Transfer Corporation
- Anne-Marie Forbes Lynn, director of business development and marketing, U.S. Legal Services
- Mark Manera, founder and CEO of Offshift
- Chad Marsilio, COO, PGT Trucking, Inc.
- Robb McCaig, senior director of spend and analytics, Trimac
- Steve McKeta, director, private fleet maintenance, Walmart Transportation
- Robert Meyer, VP, corporate transportation, UPS
- Graig Moran, president and co-owner, Brown Dog Carriers
- Brad Nelson, president, FreedomTrucks of America
- Randy Obermeyer, VP of safety and maintenance, Online Transport
- Misti Olszewski, VP, enterprise safety, Covenant Logistics
- Ted Perryman, managing attorney, Roberts Perryman P.C.
- Emily Plummer, America's Road Team Captain, Prime, Inc.
- Todd Reiser, SVP, Lockton Companies, LLC
- Joseph Romero, captain, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau, New Mexico State Police
- Robyn Smith, director of driver relations, May Trucking Company
- Glissel Soliz, senior director, transportation, operations, and 3PL, Coca-Cola North America
- Sam Waltzer, director, SmartWay and supply chain programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Kyle Weaver, assistant general counsel, K.L. Breeden & Sons LLC
- Adam Whitney, VP, Cummins on-highway sales in Canada, Cummins Inc.
- Jeffrey Wojtowicz, senior transportation engineer/operations management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Lynette Woodie, manager loss prevention and administration, ArcBest Corporation
“ATRI’s RAC members serve a critical role in identifying and prioritizing the trucking industry’s top research needs. We received over 160 applications from individuals interested in serving as RAC members. We congratulate all those appointed by the ATRI Board to serve in this important role and look forward to working with them,” said ATRI President Rebecca Brewster.
FCCC announces industry leader as new product manager for commercial chassis
Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. recently promoted Chris Wolff to product manager for commercial chassis, effective immediately.
In his new role, Wolff will oversee all aspects of the strategy and sales of the commercial chassis product line at FCCC, which provides specialized, high-quality chassis customized to the demands of customers and their specific industries.
“Chris is uniquely qualified for this important role, and we are thrilled to have him lead our commercial chassis team,” said Akbar Ghous, vice president of sales and marketing for FCCC. “His experience, expertise, and enthusiasm will enable him to drive innovation and growth across the entire commercial product line.”
Wolff previously served as project manager in FCCC’s Specialty Vehicles E-mobility Group since joining the company in May 2022. Prior to joining FCCC, he worked at Cummins Inc. for over six years across several roles, most recently as a service engineering manager in its electrification division.
Traton appoints new member of executive board
Traton recently appointed Niklas Klingenberg, head of Traton Group R&D, to the executive board as of January 1, 2025.
In appointing Klingenberg to the executive board, the supervisory board is underlining the commitment to build one powerful global group capable of delivering customer value in a fast-changing logistics ecosystem.
“I am very happy to see Niklas Klingenberg becoming an even more integral part of the leadership team of Traton,” said Christian Levin, CEO of the Traton Group. “His appointment to the Executive Board is an important sign inside and outside of our Group, really supporting our dedication to transforming transportation. Niklas Klingenberg will strengthen our work with his broad technical expertise as well as his outstanding understanding of collaborative leadership and intercultural experience.”
