ATA Mourns the Passing of Russell Gerdin
Arlington, Va. – The leadership of American Trucking Associations expressed their condolences on the passing of former Heartland Express Inc. Chairman and CEO Russell Gerdin today while gathered here during the group’s Management Conference and Exhibition.
“Russ was a true visionary and pioneer in our industry. A giant,” American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Ann and the entire Gerdin family.
“Russ was not just a savvy and successful businessman, but was also a charitable and compassionate person,” Graves added. “Russ’ anonymous charity greatly contributed to ATA’s relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. It was that type of selfless, quiet contribution to the world around us that I, and all of the trucking industry, will miss with Russ’ passing.”
“It is always sad when one of our own passes away,” outgoing ATA Chairwoman Barbara Windsor, president and CEO of Hahn Transportation Inc., said. “Russ was a model trucking executive. Our industry is richer for having him play such a critical role in it and poorer now he is gone. My heart goes out to his entire family.”
“Like Russ, I’m also the son of a trucker who has had the pleasure of seeing his children move into this industry,” incoming ATA Chairman Dan England, chairman of C.R. England Inc., said. “Russ’ success in building a strong, family business has been an example to all of us in this industry and he will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.”
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight.
“Russ was a true visionary and pioneer in our industry. A giant,” American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Ann and the entire Gerdin family.
“Russ was not just a savvy and successful businessman, but was also a charitable and compassionate person,” Graves added. “Russ’ anonymous charity greatly contributed to ATA’s relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. It was that type of selfless, quiet contribution to the world around us that I, and all of the trucking industry, will miss with Russ’ passing.”
“It is always sad when one of our own passes away,” outgoing ATA Chairwoman Barbara Windsor, president and CEO of Hahn Transportation Inc., said. “Russ was a model trucking executive. Our industry is richer for having him play such a critical role in it and poorer now he is gone. My heart goes out to his entire family.”
“Like Russ, I’m also the son of a trucker who has had the pleasure of seeing his children move into this industry,” incoming ATA Chairman Dan England, chairman of C.R. England Inc., said. “Russ’ success in building a strong, family business has been an example to all of us in this industry and he will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.”
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight.