2022 Convention

2022 Annual Convention Speakers

Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Darling

retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2007 with just over twenty years of active duty service. He served the White House during the attack of September 11, 2001, where he supported the President, Vice President, and National Security Advisor in the underground President’s Emergency Operations Center (PEOC) and witnessed unprecedented leadership and decision-making at the highest levels of our government.

Lt. Col. Darling shares the principles of crisis leadership and decision making with his audiences with an “edge of your seat” presentation that’ll take you from the moment the attack was realized, to the courageous decisions made to stop it, to the safeguards and policies our country now has in-place in an attempt to prevent it from ever happening again. This presentation is designed to ensure we, as a nation, never forget the events of 9/11/01, and to inspire all leaders to take the
necessary steps to protect and safeguard their employees, organizations, and their communities. 

Chris Spear

is President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, advocating public policy on behalf of the nation’s trucking industry. Mr. Spear is a government relations specialist with over two decades of experience on five continents, serving the transportation, energy, and defense technology sectors.

Previously, Mr. Spear was Vice President of Government Affairs for Hyundai Motor Company, Vice President of Emerging Markets for Honeywell International, and Vice President for Honeywell Government Relations in Washington, DC, and Brussels, Belgium. Mr. Spear served in the US federal government as Deputy Representative for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. Prior, he was nominated by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the US Senate as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy. 

Mr. Spear is a graduate of the Honeywell Executive Development Program, a recipient of Honeywell’s Premier Achievement Award, and was awarded the US Department of Defense Joint Civilian Service Medal. He holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming.

Harold Sumerford

Harold joined J&M Tank Lines in 1976. He has over 40 years of experience in the industry. Harold is currently the Chairman of American Trucking Associations. Throughout Harold’s work career, he has been involved in various industry associations. He has always felt the need to give back to the industry that has been so good to him and his family.  He is a past Chairman of the National Tank Truck Carriers and The Georgia Motor Trucking Association.

Harold received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University. He and his wife, Shannon, have five daughters and six grandchildren. He is an avid upland hunter and off-shore fisherman.

Ruby McBride

Ruby McBride is President and CEO of Colonial Freight Systems, Inc., a family-owned trucking company that began in 1943.   She has a transportation background that extends over 45 years, including operating her own brokerage company, working as a commissioned Agent and Terminal Manager for multiple motor carriers as well as working sales and dispatch.  Ruby has been honored to lead Colonial as President and CEO since 2014.

Senator Paul Bailey

As a farmer and small business owner, State Senator Paul Bailey understands the needs of our community. His experiences in both business and local government, uniquely qualify him to serve the interests of the citizens of the Upper Cumberland and Tennessee.  

As Chairman of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee, Senator Bailey worked tirelessly to improve Tennessee roads, increase safety and invite new and better paying jobs to the area. Now as Chairman of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, Senator Bailey is hard at work to improve and preserve Tennessee’s place as a great state to work and raise a family. Over the past eight years, thousands of jobs have been created in Senate District 15 as a result of Senator Bailey’s efforts to promote business growth and better infrastructure.

Senator Bailey’s legislative record reflects his strong pro-jobs, pro-life, and pro-constitution commitment. Paul has been a valued friend to Tennessee’s agricultural community as well. He and his wife, Amy live in White County where they raised their three children with conservative common-sense values.  

Senate District 15 includes Cumberland, Jackson, Putnam, Smith, VanBuren and White Counties.  

representative pat marsh, speaker pro tempore of the 112th general assembly

Pat is one of six children from a tight-knit family in Fayetteville, Tennessee. Raised in Lincoln County, he graduated from Fayetteville Central High School and went on to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. There he earned a business degree with a major in Transportation.

After graduating from UT, Pat began his career with the Ford Motor Company at their Nashville glass plant. In 1973, he moved to Shelbyville and joined Goggin Truck Line – a small company with six tractors and twelve trailers. He worked his way up and eventually bought the company. As the owner, Pat grew Goggin to 500 tractors and 1000 trailers while employing over 1000 people. He sold the company and started a trucking company, Big G Express, with his brother Jack in 1995.

Pat was elected in October of 2009 in a special election to represent the 62^nd District. In 2021, he was selected by his fellow state House members to serve in the role of Speaker Pro Tempore for the 112^th General. He also serves on the Health, State Government, Transportation, and Calendar and Rules Committees. 

He and his wife, Mary, reside in Shelbyville and they have two married sons and several grandchildren.