2026 FALL ROUND-UP SPEAKERS
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Emily Clayton
Economist with the American Trucking Associations (ATA)
Thursday, October 29
Emily Clayton is an Economist with the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the leading national trade association representing the trucking industry. She reports directly to ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello and contributes to the analysis of macroeconomic conditions and industry-specific trends affecting freight markets and motor carriers. Since joining ATA in 2022, Emily has played a central role in the research, analysis, and production of ATA’s flagship economic publications and recurring reports, supporting data-driven insights for industry stakeholders and policymakers. Prior to joining ATA, she earned a master’s degree in applied economics from American University.
Chris Dudley
The Southern Group, Tallahassee
Thursday, October 29
Chris Dudley joined The Southern Group's Tallahassee office in 2000 after serving seven years at the highest levels of Florida government. He has since developed extensive policy expertise spanning appropriations, education, economic and business development, energy, transportation, land use, technology, utilities, and regulated industries.
Chris began his career as a legislative aide in the Florida House of Representatives before joining the Florida Department of Education, where he served as special assistant, deputy legislative director, and deputy chief of staff to Education Commissioner Frank Brogan. In 1998, he joined the Bush-Brogan gubernatorial campaign and later served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Jeb Bush. Chris is a founding member of the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists, was named Lobbyist of the Year by Influence Magazine, and has been recognized by Florida Trend as one of the 500 Most Influential Floridians for the past eight years. In 2019, he was recognized as a Pioneer Advocate for the Florida trucking industry. A native of Fort Myers, Chris holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Florida, a Master of Legal Studies from Vanderbilt University College of Law, and completed the Applied Business Analytics executive program at MIT Sloan.
Robert R. Kynoch
Deputy Executive Director, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Thursday, October 29
Mr. Kynoch is a native Floridian and a graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in
finance. He began his state government career over 30 years ago with the Office of Financial Regulation
where he held various positions from analyst to the Chief of the Bureau of Financial Investigations
responsible for conducting investigations of financial crimes.
In August of 2015, Mr. Kynoch joined the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and
was appointed the Director of Motorist Services. In February 2023, he was promoted to Deputy
Executive Director. In this position, Mr. Kynoch is responsible for the operations of the Division of
Motorist Services and the Division of Information Systems Administration. These divisions are
responsible for all information technology operations and promoting safety on the highways by
credentialing qualified drivers, monitoring, and improving problem drivers, ensuring motor vehicles,
vessels and mobile homes are properly titled and registered, and regulating motor vehicle dealers and
manufacturers.