For much of Harold Sumerford Jr.’s adult life, he has risen at 4:30 each morning and worked 11 hours a day, six days a week. But it’s never felt like the daily grind. “I’ve been doing this for 43 years,” said Sumerford, CEO of Birmingham, Ala.-based J&M Tank Lines and newly confirmed chairman of American Trucking Associations. “But I’ve never, ever felt like I went to work a day in my life.” Sumerford was sworn in as chairman Oct. 26 at ATA’s Management Conference & Exhibition in Nashville, Tenn. As the new public face of trucking, Sumerford likely will be spending equally long hours traveling the country to keep politicians and ATA members informed on the critical issues on his agenda.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices