2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Check our Schedule to find out where our distinguished experts will be speaking!
Representative Daniel “Danny” Alvarez Sr.
Attorney, State Representative, Business/Leadership Consultant and Communications Specialist.
​Daniel "Danny" Alvarez Sr. is a business attorney and consultant who was elected to the Florida State House of Representatives for District 69 in Hillsborough County in 2022 and reelected in 2024. He currently serves as Chair on the Criminal Justice Subcommittee and Vice Chair on the Security & Threat Assessment Committee, and sits on the Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee among other committees. A Distinguished Military Graduate who served as an Army infantry officer and later worked in various roles including Chief Communications Officer for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Mr. Alvarez was appointed by the Governor of Florida to the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority Board of Directors in 2015, serving as its Secretary until his election to the Legislature. He holds degrees from the University of Florida, Stetson College of Law, and the University of Miami College of Law, and serves as General Counsel for the Tampa Police Benevolent Association.
Senator Jay Collins
Florida State Senate District 14
Senator Collins is a highly decorated Army Special Forces combat veteran who sustained debilitating injuries that led to the loss of his leg but remarkably continued to serve five additional years as a Green Beret post-amputation, ultimately retiring after more than 23 years of service. Following his military career, he worked with Operation BBQ Relief helping disaster victims and veterans, which inspired him to run for Florida State Senate in District 14. During his third year as a Florida State Senator, he serves as Chairman of the Transportation Committee, has written and passed over 55 unique pieces of legislation, and brought back over $120 million to improve the Tampa Bay region, Florida's First Responders and Veterans, and Florida State Educational Institutions. A committed family man, Senator Collins is married to his wife of 24 years Layla, a retired veteran, and is a father to two young sons, Gabe and Colt.
Alex Conlan
Founder and President of Conlan Tire and Relentless Tire & Rubber Co.
Alex Conlan is the founder and president of Conlan Tire and Relentless Tire & Rubber Co. With over 30 years in the tire industry, he’s worked for several leading companies before launching his own in 2016 and 2023. Alex is known for building innovative, service-driven businesses that support fleets across the country.
Chris Dudley
Partner, The Southern Group
Chris Dudley is one the founding partners of The Southern Group, the nation’s largest state-level lobbying firm, and currently serves as the firm’s Vice-Chairman. Based in Tallahassee, Chris brings over thirty years of experience in Florida government and public affairs, having served at the highest levels the legislative and executive branches of state government. Chris has led successful advocacy efforts across a broad range of policy areas and has represented the Florida Trucking Association for the past two decades. A recognized leader in his field, Chris was recognized as Lobbyist of the Year by Influence Magazine and is member of Florida Trend’s 500 Most Influential Leaders. Chris is passionate about public service, and currently serves on the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority and the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services. Chris holds an undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida and will graduate with a Masters of Legal Studies from Vanderbilt University Law School in December.
James Higby
Lead, Safety and Compliance Strategy at Motive
Jim’s 30+ work experience spans safety engineering, fleet/transportation safety, occupational safety, and DOT/OSHA/EPA compliance. He’s worked as a safety leader with a collaborative approach, merging safety and operations teams to achieve exceptional results in accident and injury elimination.
Justin Kammerer
Senior Product Manager at Geotab
Justin Kammerer is a Senior Product Manager at Geotab, where he leads the MyGeotab experience for Safety, driving innovation in fleet safety solutions. With over a decade of experience in the insurance industry, Justin brings deep expertise in risk management and data analytics to product development.
Prior to joining Geotab, Justin honed his skills at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, where he developed a strong foundation in leveraging data to solve complex business challenges. His extensive insurance background provides valuable insight into the intersection of technology and risk mitigation.
Justin holds an undergraduate degree from Florida State University and a graduate degree from Georgia Institute of Technology. His unique combination of technical education and industry experience positions him to deliver products that meaningfully impact fleet safety and operational efficiency. At Geotab, Justin continues to bridge the gap between advanced telematics technology and practical safety solutions for organizations worldwide.
Gary Johnson
Head of Safety and Compliance Strategy at Motive
​With more than three decades of safety leadership experience, Gary has spent the past nine years consulting on innovative program solutions to fit the risk and needs of clients. Today he works with Motive’s clients to structure enterprise risk management programs and develop alternative risk solutions to benefit the industry.
Frank Lonegro
President and Chief Executive Officer -Landstar System Inc.
Frank Lonegro serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Landstar. He is a solutions-oriented leader with broad strategic, financial, operational and technology leadership experience in the fast-paced freight transportation industry.
Mr. Lonegro joined Landstar in 2024 from Beacon Building Products, a Fortune 500 building products distribution company serving customers throughout the U.S. and Canada, where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to Beacon, Mr. Lonegro spent nearly 20 years at CSX Corporation, a Fortune 500 rail and intermodal transportation company. During his tenure at CSX, he served in various leadership roles, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2015 to 2019, President of CSX Technology, Vice President of Service Design, and Vice President of Mechanical. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lonegro practiced law privately and as in-house counsel.
Mr. Lonegro holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Duke University, and both a master’s degree in business administration and a law degree from the University of Florida. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife, Kristin, and their three sons.
Rolando E. Palma
President, MIS (Marine Intelligence & Solutions)
Rolando E. Palma is a US Marine Corps veteran with an associate's degree in Criminal Justice who brings unique dual perspective to cargo security through his experience both owning an OTR trucking company and working in law enforcement. With 25 years in the cargo security and investigations business, Roly is the nation's only triple-board certified investigator and serves as a direct liaison to the FBI Major Task Force. He holds private investigator and security instructor licenses in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, and is recognized as a Department of Justice and Department of Defense subject matter expert in transportation and cargo theft.
Roly combines his investigative expertise with comprehensive transportation knowledge as a certified Safety Director from JJ Keller and expert in FMCSA law and Hazmat regulations. He has successfully recovered over 500 loads throughout his career and continues active recovery work. His expertise is widely sought after as an instructor and speaker on cargo theft and prevention at federal and local law enforcement agencies, making him an invaluable resource for Florida Trucking Association members seeking to protect their operations and understand security best practices.
Amanda Schuier
Strategic Maintenance Director at Jetco Delivery and TMC Immediate Past Chair 2025 - 2026
Amanda Schuier is a fourth-generation trucking industry professional, following her great grandfather's trucking company and grandfather's truck dealership legacy. Since 2006, she has served in diverse roles across marketing, sales, driver recruiting, operations, and safety in service provider, fleet, and aftermarket parts sectors. Currently Strategic Maintenance Director at Jetco Delivery, Amanda focuses on shop processes, vendor relationships, and personnel management. She recently completed her term as the 65th General Chairman and Treasurer for American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council and finished two terms on American Transportation Research Institute's Research Advisory Council in 2024.
Amanda's industry leadership has earned extensive recognition, including Heavy Duty Trucking magazine's 2017 Emerging Leaders in Transportation, Women In Trucking's 2020 "Top Women to Watch," Fleet Owner Magazine's 2020 "Women Leaders in Transportation," and Supply & Demand Chain Executive's 2021 "Women in Supply Chain." She graduated from both TMC Leaders of Tomorrow program and LEAD ATA leadership program. A sought-after speaker at major industry conferences including Commercial Carrier Journal's Solutions Summit, TMC, and Truckload Carriers Association events, Amanda dedicates her free time to mentoring new trucking industry members. She holds dual bachelor's degrees in journalism and Spanish from Creighton University.
Dr. Donna Smith
Regulatory Compliance Officer at WorkforceQA
Dr. Donna Smith is the Regulatory Compliance Officer at WorkforceQA, a TPA/MRO firm and has over 35 years’ experience and expertise in drug free workplace program regulatory compliance. Dr. Smith served in policy and regulatory positions with the U.S. Departments of Army, Defense and Transportation, and was a principal architect of Department of Army and US DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations. She is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of Federal drug testing regulations, drug and alcohol testing procedures, drug and alcohol abuse awareness training for employees and managers, medical review officer (MRO) procedures, drug free workplace policy and procedures, and substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation. Since 1990 she has served on the faculties of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) for continuing medical education courses for physicians serving as Medical Review Officers (MRO). Dr. Smith has served on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Federal Drug Testing Advisory Board (DTAB), the Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association (SAPAA) Board of Directors, and currently serves on the Board of the Drug Free America Foundation. In addition to her work in DFWP policy and program consultation, Dr. Smith conducts specimen collector and breath alcohol technician training, reasonable suspicion supervisory and employee substance abuse awareness courses, and various training sessions for employers and TPAs on the DOT drug and alcohol testing rules. Dr. Smith earned a BA is sociology from Capital University, an MSW in clinical social work from Hunter College, CUNY, and a PhD/EdD in counseling psychology from Ball State University.
Tracy Rushing
Executive Director of Safety and Recruiting at R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc
Tracy Rushing is the Executive Director of Safety and Recruiting at R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc., bringing nearly 30 years of experience in the transportation industry. Her career began in a scale house and progressed through various leadership roles, emphasizing safety, driver engagement, and workforce development. In 2024, she was honored as the Women In Trucking Association’s Influential Woman in Trucking, recognizing her dedication to mentorship, inclusion, and advancing opportunities for women in the industry.
Tracy actively contributes to several industry organizations, including the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), and Alabama Trucking Association’s Safety & Maintenance Management Council. She serves on the Risk Management Advisory Committee of the ATA Comp Fund and chairs TCA’s Safety, Recruiting, and Retention Committee . Tracy is passionate about fostering a culture of trust and support in trucking, encouraging others to discover their “why” and build lasting legacies within the profession.
Marilyn Surber
Chief Growth & Strategy Officer, Drivers Legal Plan
Marilyn Surber joined Drivers Legal plan in April 2024. Marilyn is also Principal and Co-Founder of Candela Professional Group. Marilyn has been a part of the transportation industry since 2008. She is passionate about serving the transportation industry and is an advocate for the transportation community. She has over 15 years’ experience in corporate communication, industry relations, recruiting, safety and driver training. Before joining Drivers Legal Plan Marilyn served in several roles with Tenstreet, Melton Truck Lines, and Hilti, Inc. Marilyn holds a bachelor's degree in communication from The University of Tulsa. She served on the Board of Directors for the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, where she was named Member of the Year in 2019 and was selected by Oklahoma Magazine as a Top 40 under 40 for the state of Oklahoma in 2019. In addition, Marilyn was named a Woman To Watch In Transportation in 2023 by the Women In Trucking Association. Marilyn is an active member of American Trucking Association, Truckload Carriers Association, Florida Trucking Association, North Carolina Trucking Association, Commercial Vehicle Training Association, and the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools. Additionally, Marilyn serves on the Women In Motion Advisory Board for ATA, the Women Executive Council and Network for the Florida Trucking Association, and the North Carolina Trucking Association Women In Trucking Advisory Board.
Rendy Taylor
Board of Directors, Chair, FTA; PS Logistics
​Rendy Taylor serves as Board Chair of Florida Trucking Association and is with PS Logistics, having recently transitioned from President of Shelton Trucking in 2024. Taylor's leadership role with FTA positions him at the forefront of advocating for the Florida trucking industry's interests in legislative and regulatory matters.
Loren Waldo
Regional Sales Manager for Great Dane
Loren Waldo serves as the Regional Sales Manager for Great Dane’s Southeast Corporate Sales region, which includes the state of Florida. Loren is responsible for leading sales efforts across his region, supporting trailer sales consultants, and managing key customer relationships. His role also includes driving strategic growth initiatives, streamlining sales processes, and aligning regional performance with corporate objectives.
Loren has almost 30 years’ experience in sales operations, sales support, and business management disciplines. Before joining Great Dane in January 2020, Loren worked in the aerospace and defense sector for over twenty years in various administrative, business operations, sales, and sales support functions.
Loren earned his MBA from Georgia Southern University and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma.
Director of Purchasing and Maintenance at Walpole, Inc.
Ryan Walpole
Ryan Walpole is the Director of Purchasing and Maintenance at Walpole Inc., with over 25 years driving innovation, safety, and operational excellence. He serves on Florida Trucking Association's Board of Directors, launched and chaired FTA 2.0 Group, and currently serves as 2nd Vice Chair of Florida Trucking Association and ATA Vice President. Ryan received the 2021 Dameo Award as top State Association Vice President and was named a 2022 Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine Emerging Leader.
Brandon Wiseman
Owner and President- Trucksafe Consulting
Brandon Wiseman is the owner and President of Trucksafe Consulting and a partner with Childress Law. As a transportation attorney, Brandon has assisted some the nation’s leading motor carriers in developing and maintaining compliant and cutting-edge safety programs, and he has also represented carriers of all types and sizes before the FMCSA on matters such as safety rating upgrades and civil penalty proceedings. Through his consulting company, Brandon now offers carriers state of the art compliance resources and regulatory training materials, covering a wide range of safety-related topics. Brandon is a regular speaker at industry events and contributor to industry publications.
Joey Young
Fleet Maintenance Operations Manager, Publix Super Markets
Chair, Florida Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council. With over 25 years of experience in leading diverse teams, his career progression at Publix included serving as Fleet Maintenance Superintendent for the Atlanta Division from 2007-2014 before advancing to his current role as Fleet Maintenance Operations Manager based in Lakeland, Florida. He Has held leadership roles with Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) of American Trucking Associations, Inc., recently receiving their Silver Spark Plug Award in 2025.