The American Highway Users Alliance announced today that former Kansas Governor Bill Graves would become chairman of the group's Board of Directors, effective immediately. Graves remains president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA).
"It is a great honor that Governor Graves has agreed to serve as our chairman. His distinguished career as a public official and in-depth knowledge on transportation issues makes him a perfect fit with our organization," commented Highway Users President and CEO Greg Cohen. "With his expertise, The Highway Users will continue its long line of influential chairmen at the helm."
Graves remarked, "I am excited to be a vital part of The Highway Users. Their mission to promote safety and mobility for all road users is complementary to the goals of the trucking industry, and much positive work can be done to help ameliorate traffic conditions for all motorists and truckers."
"I look forward to leading the Highway Users during a time when many transportation experts recognize the need for significant changes to the federal highway program in order to address growing congestion and safety challenges," Graves added. "The current environment presents an opportunity for the Highway Users, as a collaborative group of diverse interests, to assume a more prominent role in the development and promotion of a new vision for the United States' transportation system."
In January 2003, Graves completed 22 years of public service in the state of Kansas, highlighted by two terms as governor. He was reelected to his second term with the largest percentage of votes in Kansas history. Under his administration, Kansas taxpayers saw the largest tax cut in state history, and many state services were streamlined. In 1999 he signed an historic 10-year, $13-billion comprehensive transportation program into law, improving highways, railroad infrastructure, airports and public transit service in Kansas.