(Liberty, MO) -- Tom Kretsinger, Jr., president of American Central Transport, Inc. (ACT) has been elected chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) for 2014-2014. Kretsinger's selection came during the TCA's Annual Convention at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Kretsinger says is looking to strengthen and build upon the achievements of the two most recent chairmen. "I appreciate the important contributions that my predecessors, Chairman Gary Salisbury and Chairman Robert Low, have made to the industry's image and, particularly, drivers' health. We need to build on the foundation they've laid," he said. Kretsinger's first objective as chairman will be to conduct a strategic plan, something TCA has only done twice in the last 20 years. The result should produce a snapshot of what the organization should look like in three years, with the ultimate goal of building a "best in class" organization that will keep truckload issues moving forward well into the future.

"I believe annual planning is an excellent way to focus on the important things and help TCA carry out the mission envisioned by its members. It will allow leadership to track our progress toward important goals, help maintain continuity as leadership changes, and develop dashboards (key performance indicators) to determine objectively if we're being successful in the areas of most importance to the truckload segment. After all, in order to get to where you're going, one has to know the destination," he said.

The avid outdoorsman and fisherman plans to build on TCA's current truck driver image and health and wellness efforts, such as Trucking's Weight Loss Showdown, the Highway Angel program, and the Wreaths Across America initiative, and take these important activities to the next level. "Drivers are the most valuable, but increasingly rare resource vital to the trucking business," he said. "In three years, we want to be changing our image, making a difference, and improving our drivers' lives."

While Kretsinger plans to continue TCA's highly successful educational and networking offerings, he is also mindful of the membership's viewpoints and the increasingly regulated nature of their businesses. Therefore, he will place renewed emphasis on advocacy and will appoint a committee to explore ways that TCA's policies can generate the best possible impact in Washington. "Our members' voices need to be heard. Working within and in conjunction with ATA, truckload carriers are a powerful voice and have a lot more influence in shaping policy than they sometimes realize," he said.

Kretsinger writes and speaks on industry issues on BigTruckTV.com  and is a regular speaker and panelist for the industry at many events.  He has been active in TCA as a member of the organization's executive  committee and board of directors. Some of his previous positions include  first and second vice chair, treasurer, at-large officer, and  scholarship fund trustee. Over the years, he has served on TCA's  Benchmarking Management Panel, Regulatory Policy Committee,  Carrier/Shipper Relations Committee, Bylaws Committee, and Independent  Contractor Practices Policy Committee. He also serves as chairman of the  American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Litigation Center, vice chairman  of its Labor and Regulatory Policy Committee, and is a member of ATA's  executive committee and board of directors. Locally, he is a past  chairman of the Missouri Trucking Association, and he still sits on that  organization's board of directors.

Kretsinger received his bachelor's degree from William Jewell College  and his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School  of Law. In 1981, he chose to follow in the footsteps of his father and  grandfather by joining the family law firm, Kretsinger & Kretsinger,  which specialized in motor carrier law. He also became involved with  American Central Transport (ACT), the trucking company that his father  purchased in the 1970s as E.K. Motor Service and then renamed. In 1998,  he became ACT's general counsel; he has served as its president since  2005.

American Central  Transport, Inc. is a dry van truckload carrier serving major shippers  throughout the eastern half of the United States. Founded in  1926 as E.K. Motor Service, the company was later renamed after it was  purchased by the Kretsinger family, who still run it today. ACT has been  frequently recognized for its quality and premium service, signified by  its "Raising the Standard" motto.