“For TMC to continue thriving, we need more volunteers and more involvement,” says new Chairman Mark Kennedy. (Karen Foote/American Trucking Associations)
March 20, 2026 7:00 AM, EDT
Key Takeaways:
- Mark Kennedy was introduced as the 67th general chairman and treasurer of ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council on March 18 in Nashville, Tenn.
- Outgoing chairman Radu Mihai highlighted Kennedy’s industry background and long involvement with TMC.
- Kennedy announced plans for an AI summit at the 2026 TMC Fall Meeting in Pittsburgh.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The final night of American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting marked the introduction of its 67th general chairman and treasurer, Mark Kennedy.
Kennedy, corporate vice president of equipment at Knight‑Swift Transportation, was formally introduced by outgoing 2025‑26 General Chairman and Treasurer Radu Mihai during the council’s reception and social event March 18.
Mihai opened the evening in his characteristic lighthearted style, reflecting on his journey and the people who supported him along the way. Between jokes and banter, he paused to acknowledge the seriousness of the moment.
RELATED: Mark Kennedy’s journey to TMC chairman
“I would like to be serious for a second, but it’s not my nature,” Mihai joked. “I want to thank my family and TMC for the support and mentoring through this incredible journey. I actually couldn’t have done it without the help of all my teams, TMC, friends and family. You are all here.”
Mihai then turned to his successor, offering a detailed and often humorous overview of Kennedy’s industry background, from his service in the U.S. Air Force as a mechanic to his long tenure at Knight‑Swift Transportation Holdings, which ranks No. 7 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for‑hire carriers in North America.
New TMC Chairman Mark Kennedy (left) presented his predecessor, Radu Mihai, with a commemorative clock. (Karen Foote/American Trucking Associations)
He also highlighted Kennedy’s long‑standing involvement with TMC.
“When Mark became a TMC member in 2015, he jumped right into the thick of it and became a vice chairman in the fall of 2016,” Mihai said, adding that Kennedy is the second graduate of the TMC Leaders of Tomorrow program to become chairman, following Amanda Schuier in 2024.
When Kennedy took the stage, he continued the TMC tradition of honoring the outgoing chairman, presenting Mihai with a caricature portrait and a commemorative wall clock. Kennedy leaned into the moment with playful authority, jokingly ushering Mihai off the stage.
“Everybody in here appreciates all the work you did last year and thanks you for everything,” Kennedy said, before ribbing his predecessor. “Get off my stage. This is my stage now.”
Once the formalities and humor subsided, Kennedy shifted to a more reflective tone, thanking those who supported him along the way.
“Thank you, Radu. I’m going to need you for the next year as my past chair,” Kennedy said. “Thank you for this past year as chairman and for your many dedicated years of TMC service.”
The presentation of a caricature of the immediate past chairman is always a lighthearted moment at the TMC annual reception. (Karen Foote/American Trucking Associations)
He also acknowledged mentors and colleagues who encouraged his involvement in TMC and supported his professional growth.
Outlining his vision for the year ahead, Kennedy tied his leadership theme to Mihai’s focus on “Ensuring Trucking Its Future Success,” reaffirming TMC’s role as the industry’s technical backbone.
“We develop recommended practices that shape the industry. We provide technical and educational sessions to keep you informed,” Kennedy said. “You come here to see what’s new, to connect with colleagues and suppliers, and to take home knowledge that drives results. TMC is the premier event for the trucking industry and a cornerstone of its success.”
Kennedy emphasized that TMC’s continued strength depends on broader participation.
“For TMC to continue thriving, we need more volunteers and more involvement,” he said. “To all you leaders and managers out there, encourage your teams, support them, get them involved in TMC, and if they qualify, nominate them for the TMC Leaders of Tomorrow program.”
New Chairman Mark Kennedy announced plans for an AI summit at the 2026 TMC Fall Meeting. (Karen Foote/American Trucking Associations)
Introducing his theme for the coming year, Kennedy pointed to the convergence of technology and maintenance, placing artificial intelligence at the center of that discussion. He announced plans for an AI summit at the 2026 TMC Fall Meeting in Pittsburgh in September.
“Lately, artificial intelligence, or AI, has become a major force in our world. This year, we will explore how it can help our industry, where it may pose challenges, how it’s being used today and what it may evolve into in the future,” he said. “The AI summit will take a deeper look at these opportunities and challenges and what AI means for the future of maintenance operations and the industry as a whole.”
Kennedy closed by underscoring both the honor of serving and the work ahead.
“This is a great honor for me to serve as your leader this coming year,” he said. “I look forward to working with all of you as the months unfold. There is so much to do and so much we can collectively influence in technology and maintenance, and I can’t do it without you.”
