Hello ATA Membership!
Looks like we are in the rainy season of our summer! We hope that you are all finding ways to enjoy Alaska. It continues to be a busy summer for ATA. We have been jumping since TDC with no signs of slowing down. We are taking any opportunity to speak to the community about safety, trucking and celebrating our industry. See below for a great opportunity to engage with FMCSA leadership in August. If you have questions or concerns about MOTUS, this is the venue. As always, make your personal and professional safety a priority. We appreciate you all!
Jamie
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Safety First: Stay Alert During Alaska's Busy Summer Travel Season
As summer reaches its peak, Alaska's highways are experiencing increased traffic from tourists, recreational travelers, construction activity, and commercial vehicles. Recent crashes around the state serve as an important reminder that safety must remain our industry's top priority.
The Seward Highway and Parks Highway are two of Alaska's most heavily traveled tourism corridors during the summer months. With RVs, rental vehicles, tour buses, motorcycles, and drivers unfamiliar with Alaska's roads all sharing the highway, trucking professionals face unique challenges every day.
While summer brings much longer daylight hours and improved road conditions, it can also lead to complacency. Increased traffic volume, distracted drivers, frequent stops, sudden lane changes, and slow-moving tourist traffic create situations that require heightened awareness behind the wheel.
ATA encourages all drivers to increase following distances, anticipate sudden stops, remain vigilant in construction zones, watch for moose (average of 800 a year killed on the road system) be patient with inexperienced drivers, and avoid distractions. Professional truck drivers play a critical role in keeping Alaska moving safely.
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WIM Alaska Launch a Success
On June 25, ATA officially launched its Women's in Motion (WIM) Alaska Chapter, bringing together women from across Alaska's trucking and transportation industry. Our first event marked an exciting step forward in creating opportunities for professional development, networking, mentoring, and leadership growth. Linda Leary of FISHE spoke to the group and Cara Fox of ZenFox Solutions led a group discussion on mentoring. Above all amazing connections and conversations were started surrounding this membership. 50 members and growing! Join us-see AKtrucks.org/WIM for more information.
Upcoming WIM Event: July 29, 2026 – Virtual WIM Meeting. Contact Jamie Benson for the meeting link and additional details.
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Level One Inspection Training with DOT
ATA appreciates Mountainview Trucking & Diesel Repair for hosting a Level One Inspection Training on June 25. This educational opportunity provided valuable insight into commercial vehicle inspection procedures, safety requirements, and compliance standards. Thank you to DOT for your leadership and guidance, which will only benefit the many drivers, maintenance staff and operators who attended.
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ATA Participates in Fairbanks Truck Show
ATA was proud to participate in the Fairbanks Truck Show on June 13, where we hosted an association booth and served as judges during the truck show competition. Thank you to the organizers and participants for another outstanding event. Congratulations to the haul road category winners (photo below) and to the whole trucking industry community for showing up and showing off 😊 We appreciate our Fairbanks community!
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ATA Share the Road Trailer Featured in Bear Paw Parade
On July 11, ATA's Share the Road Trailer proudly rolled through the Bear Paw Festival Parade in Eagle River. A special thank you goes to Mountainview Trucking & Diesel Repair for hauling the trailer and helping promote highway safety awareness throughout the community.
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Governor Candidate Forum
Six gubernatorial candidates participated in a structured roundtable forum focused on issues critical to Alaska’s trucking industry and statewide transportation system. Candidates rotated through six policy discussion tables where they responded to questions from ATA board members.
The forum was designed to evaluate each candidate’s understanding of the issues facing Alaska’s trucking industry and their ability to provide practical leadership and policy solutions.
About the Evaluation
The ATA Governor Candidate Forum is intended to provide members with objective information about each candidate’s preparation and understanding of transportation and freight issues.
The forum results reflect candidate performance during the ATA evaluation and are one source of information available to ATA members as they consider the 2026 gubernatorial election.
Evaluation Process
Each candidate participated in six policy discussions covering:
- Federal Match & Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
- Motor Fuel Tax & Dalton Highway
- State Fiscal Plan
- Alaska Trucking Industry Priorities
- Alaska LNG / HB 381
- Candidate-Specific Questions
At every table, ATA evaluators independently scored candidates in three categories:
- Knowledge - Demonstrated understanding of the issue, facts, and current challenges facing Alaska.
- Action Plan - Presented practical, achievable solutions and a clear plan for addressing the issue.
- Leadership - Demonstrated leadership, communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively to solve problems.
Each Category was scored on a 1-5 scale, for a maximum of 15 points for table. Across 6 discussion tables, candidates could earn a maximum of 90 points.
2026 ATA Governor Forum Results
Rank Candidate Score (90 possible)
1 Adam Crum 80.3
2 Click Bishop 69.7
3 Tom Begich 68.7
4 Matt Heilala 57.7
5 Lesil McGuire 55.2
6 Dave Bronson 54.2
“The Alaska Trucking Association appreciates the time each candidate invested in participating in this year’s Governor Candidate Forum. Our members rely on strong transportation policy, dependable infrastructure, and thoughtful leadership to keep Alaska’s economy moving. This forum provided an opportunity to evaluate candidates on the issues that matter most to our industry through a structured, policy-focused discussion.”
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Legislative Update
The Alaska Legislature has concluded its regular 2026 session and remains in a special session called by Governor Dunleavy. ATA continues to monitor legislation and budget decisions affecting transportation infrastructure, freight mobility, workforce development, and the trucking industry's ability to keep Alaska's communities supplied.
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FMCSA Executive Visit to Alaska
The Alaska Trucking Association is pleased to welcome FMCSA Executive Director Brad Marten to Alaska for a special meeting with ATA leadership, Alaska DOT&PF representatives, and industry members. This unique opportunity will provide attendees with direct insight into current Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration initiatives, regulatory updates, enforcement priorities, and issues impacting the trucking industry in Alaska.
Members are encouraged to participate in this open discussion and share perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing motor carriers across the state. Whether your interests include safety, compliance, workforce development, infrastructure, or regulatory concerns, this meeting offers a valuable chance to engage directly with federal leadership and ensure Alaska's voice is heard.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear firsthand from FMCSA leadership and be part of the conversation shaping the future of commercial transportation in Alaska.
4111 Aviation Ave, Anchorage. August 19th from 11am-1pm -Contact Jamie to RSVP.
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Looking Ahead
First Annual Golf Tournament-July 23, Settlers Bay. Teams are SOLD OUT. Many opportunities for sponsorship left. Contact ATA.
National Truck Driving Championships: August 11–14 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ATA will send nine Alaska champions to represent our state on the national stage.
Level One Inspection with DOT-September 10. Fairbanks, Carlile Transportation.
Driver Appreciation Week: September 13–19 with appreciation stops planned in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Kenai. See AKtrucks.org for sponsorship opportunities.
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Thank You to Our Members
Thank you for your continued support of the Alaska Trucking Association. Together, we are advancing safety, advocacy, workforce development, and public awareness for Alaska's trucking industry. Drive safe, stay engaged, and keep Alaska moving!
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| Together, we can drive the future of trucking in Alaska! | |
Alaska Trucking Association | 907-276-1149 | info@aktrucks.org | www.aktrucks.org
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