2025 FALL ROUND-UP SPEAKERS
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STRAIT TO THE POINT WITH EXPERT SPEAKERS
Dan Cook
Principal and Director of Risk Finance, TrueNorth
Tuesday, November 4, 4:15PM | Opening Keynote
Dan Cook is Principal and Director of Risk Finance at TrueNorth, leading the firm's national transportation practice and large-scale project teams. With over 35 years of experience, he has developed industry-leading processes, including the 5C's of Risk Financing™ and a Risk-Based Due Diligence model for evaluating M&A transactions. Dan also leads TrueNorth's M&A Advisory Group, advising on risk in buy- and sell-side transactions.
A Finance & Insurance graduate of Ferris State University, Dan holds multiple professional designations, including CPCU, CIC, CRM, ARM, AMIM, AAI, AU, and TRS. He actively serves on industry boards, including IRMI and RIMS, and is a frequent speaker at universities and national conferences on finance, risk management, and insurance. Passionate about education, he regularly teaches continuing legal education courses and mentors students pursuing careers in insurance and finance.
Dan Horvath
Chief Operating Officer, American Trucking Associations
Wednesday, November 5, 8:30AM | General Session
Dan Horvath is the Chief Operating Officer at the American Trucking Associations, assuming the position in July 2025. In this role, Dan oversees ATA operations, including membership, events, marketing, industry affairs, and human resources, while remaining engaged in ATA's day-to-day advocacy efforts.
Dan joined ATA in March 2018 as Director of Safety Policy after more than five years as Director of Compliance and Safety at TransForce Inc. Prior to that, Dan was a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration auditor, examining new commercial carriers for regulatory compliance. In September 2018, Dan was promoted to Vice President of Safety Policy, and in November 2023 to Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Safety Policy. In these roles, he represented ATA before federal and state government regulators.
Dan, a proud CDL holder, is a 2017 graduate of the LEAD ATA program, a long-time volunteer at the National Truck Driving Championships, and serves on FMCSA's Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee.
Kyle Weaver
Assistant General Counsel, K.L. Breeden & Sons
Wednesday, November 5, 8:30-10:30 AM | General Session
Kyle Weaver serves as Assistant General Counsel for K.L. Breeden & Sons in Fort Worth, Texas, a fourth-generation family-owned trucking company specializing in dedicated refrigerated grocery transportation. In this role, Kyle manages the company's litigation portfolio, oversees regulatory compliance, evaluates and procures insurance, implements risk mitigation strategies, and provides counsel on legal and business matters.
Before joining KLB, Kyle served as Shareholder in a southeast regional law firm where his practice focused on transportation litigation. He tried several cases to favorable verdicts and was selected twice as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® for Transportation Law. Kyle presently serves on the Board of Directors for Florida Trucking Association and is a member of the Research Advisory Committee for the American Transportation Research Institute.
Kyle earned his Bachelor of Science from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He is licensed to practice law in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas.
Jennifer Walker
Brand Executive, Black Oak Creative
Wednesday, November 5, 8:30-10:30 AM | General Session
Jennifer Walker is a Brand Executive at Black Oak Creative, where she leads strategy, development, and execution of multi-channel marketing campaigns for clients across diverse industries—including several within the transportation sector. She has collaborated with Florida Trucking Association on both the Share the Road and Jobs Beyond the Wheel video projects and works closely with Oakley Transport and various other brands to craft impactful storytelling that builds connection and strengthens brand identity.
At Black Oak Creative, Jennifer bridges creative direction with client strategy, guiding projects from concept to completion—from scripting and storyboarding to digital marketing and social media strategy. With a passion for helping organizations define and tell their stories with authenticity and purpose, she believes that effective branding isn't just about visibility; it's about voice, values, and vision.
Jennifer will share practical insights on how companies can shape their brand story to build trust, attract talent, and create lasting impact.
Jake Goff
Certified Lubrication Specialist & Application Engineer, Valvoline Global
Wednesday, November 5, 11:00AM | TMC Session
Jake Goff is a Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS) and Application Engineer with Valvoline Global, where he has spent the past seven years supporting the Heavy-Duty Sales Team by bridging complex technical insights with customer-facing solutions. In his role, Jake works directly with trucking companies and fleet operators to optimize fuel economy and equipment performance through advanced lubrication strategies.
He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Louisville and is currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Kentucky. Jake's technical expertise and practical application experience make him a valuable resource for fleet managers looking to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
Outside of work, Jake is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys bow hunting, shooting birds, and fighting to save par on the golf course. His ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable recommendations has made him a trusted advisor in the heavy-duty transportation industry.
Kevin Elrod
CEO, Spartan Transportation
Wednesday, November 5, 11:30AM | SMC Session
Kevin Elrod is CEO of Spartan Transportation LLC, providing strategic compliance guidance, regulatory consulting, and expert witness services across all sectors of the transportation industry. A decorated U.S. Army veteran with 27 years of service as an Airborne Infantryman and Drill Sergeant, Kevin brings extensive operational and regulatory expertise to the commercial transportation sector.
Kevin has worked across every level of the industry, from commercial driver to Safety Director for a 500-unit fleet, and served as a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Safety Investigator. He is a nationally recognized subject matter expert in Hours of Service (HOS), crash analysis, and regulatory enforcement. His leadership roles include serving as Chair of FMCSA's Intermodal Equipment Provider Technical Advisory Group and Team Lead for FMCSA's Southern Region Intermodal Inspection Team.
Kevin is the recipient of multiple FMCSA safety awards recognizing his contributions to national transportation safety. Born into the trucking industry, he has remained immersed in commercial transportation throughout his career, combining practical industry experience with regulatory expertise. He resides in Savannah, Georgia.
Sean Snaith, Ph.D.
Director, UCF's Institute for Economic Forecasting
Wednesday, November 5, 1:00PM | Lunch Keynote
Sean Snaith, Ph.D., is the director of the University of Central Florida's Institute for Economic Forecasting and a nationally recognized economist in the field of business and economic forecasting. He is the recipient of multiple awards for the accuracy of his forecasts, his research, and his teaching. Before joining UCF's College of Business, he held teaching positions at Pennsylvania State University, American University in Cairo, the University of North Dakota, and the University of the Pacific.
Snaith is frequently interviewed in international, national, and regional media, including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, and The Economist, and has appeared on CNBC, Fox Business Network, the BBC, and China Central TV. He is a sought-after speaker known for his engaging and humorous presentations and his unique ability to explain complex subject matter in a digestible manner.
Snaith is a member of The Wall Street Journal's Economic Forecasting Survey, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Survey of Professional Forecasters, and other leading economic panels. He holds a B.S. in Economics from Allegheny College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Pennsylvania State University.