New ATA chairman on drivers, tankers, regs, and trucking's future

ATA's latest chairman and Groendyke Transport's CEO, Greg Hodgen, thinks of himself as an optimist, while others call him a realist. But both perspectives are on display in this episode of The Fleet Lead, where Hodgen and Bulk Transporter Editor Jason McDaniel sat down for a frank conversation about the transportation industry, with a special focus on tank trailers. From discussing the shortage of drivers versus qualified drivers to tort reform and beyond, McDaniel and Hodgen cover the spectrum of realism to optimism in trucking while looking ahead for 2026. Catch this episode of The Fleet Lead podcast here or search for The Fleet Lead on your favorite podcast app. Chapter index: 1:04 - Hodgen's road to the industry and ATA leadership 5:00 - Drivers vs qualified drivers 11:53 - The importance of innovation in tank trucking 14:01 - Government and regulations 23:58 - Tort reform and cybersecurity 31:19 - Looking ahead for 2026 37:31 - Appreciating the trucking industry