LAS VEGAS (April 1, 2016) - Steve Parker, president of Baltimore Potomac Truck Centers in Linthicum, Md., is the new chairman of the American Truck Dealers (ATD).

In discussing his appointment, Parker noted he takes the ATD helm during a year of major political change - including the election of a new U.S. president and vice president - that will impact the trucking industry.
 

“We, as dealers, have a job to do if we want this transition into the 21st Century to be for the better,” said Parker during his remarks at the 54th annual ATD Convention & Expo in Las Vegas. “The players keep changing. That means continuing to educate our state and federal officials about what we do-and what our products mean for consumers nationwide.”
 

Excise taxes, truck emissions, highway funding and fuel-economy laws can benefit consumers and the trucking industry if ATD is proactive by continuing to talk to members of Congress and leaders at pertinent federal agencies, he said, adding: “I like to call it 'an outreach to prevent government overreach.'”
 

Parker, a third-generation dealer operating five full-service commercial truck dealerships selling and servicing Mack, Volvo and Hino Trucks in Maryland and Virginia, praised Jorgensen's leadership on legislative and other issues, noting the positive impact his work has made on ATD members.
 

“Eric has sat across the table from the Department of Transportation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency; he's gone to the White House to help keep proposed fuel economy laws in check,” said Parker. “At every turn, he's worked hard to let the nation's capital know that our industry moves America forward … and therefore, so do we.”
 

Parker vowed to continue to champion those and other issues including: educating key audiences about Phase 2 of the CAFE/greenhouse gas rules; working to eliminate the Federal Excise Tax on heavy-duty trucks and trailers; continually developing positive relationships with manufacturers; and supporting trucking at a grassroots level.
 

To meet those and other goals, Parker announced the second year of the ATD strategic plan that includes four pillars: Participation and Engagement, Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy, Industry Relations and Education.
 

“We need to make sure that we're ready for any of the big transitions coming later this year,” he said. “But we'll do it together: The ATD leadership and I remain committed to working with industry allies.”


The 2016 ATD Convention & Expo ran concurrently with the NADA Convention. More than 25,000 new-car and -truck dealers and their managers, as well as dealers from over 30 countries, auto industry executives and exhibitor staff attended the convention in Las Vegas.


Founded in 1917, NADA will celebrate its 100-year anniversary during the 2017 NADA/ATD Convention & Expo in New Orleans, which will run from Jan. 26-29.

View the complete convention coverage