Monday, the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council opened TMC’s 2026 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition here at the Music City Center.
As part of the event, four people were honored for their professional excellence, and the organization named a new general chairman and treasurer.
This year’s theme is “Innovative Strategies for Technical Leadership” and will feature TMC’s customary slate of educational sessions, task force meetings, technical sessions, and management sessions as the Council celebrates its 70th Anniversary. Additionally, the Council’s Transportation Technology Exhibition trade show will showcase leading-edge technologies for fleet maintenance management. This year’s exhibit is sold-out, featuring about 375 vendors spanning 350,000 square feet.
This year TMC is holding sessions with a special emphasis in two special tracks: Back to Basics and Advanced Technology. Technical Sessions include:
- The Value of Certification for Vehicle Maintenance Operations
- Leveraging the Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Vehicle Maintenance
- The Future Is Closer Than We Think: Fleet Needs for Future Trucks
Other sessions include:
- Next Generation Tractor-Trailer Connector: What Are the Latest Developments?
- Today’s Tire and Wheel Technology: It’s Not Just Rubber, Metal and Air
- Next Generation Diesel Engine Oils: What’s the Latest on Proposed Category ‘PC-12’?
- Getting Drivers Onboard With ADAS and ADS
- Dissecting the Diesel Technician Shortage: A Deep Dive Into ATRI’s Latest Report
- Next Generation Braking: A Look at Electronic Braking Systems (EBS)
- Trailer Axle Alignment: Because Sideways Isn’t a Direction
- Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) Last Mile: The Unseen Revolution in Trucking
4 receive Silver Spark Plus awards
Also on Monday, four professionals received the council's highest honor — the Silver Spark Plug.
This year’s honorees are:
Scott Bartlein, Truck Fleet Management
Taki Darakos, PITT OHIO
Mark Zachos, DG Technologies
Jack Legler, TMC/ATA.
“The Silver Spark Plug honors TMC members who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to improving our industry,” said TMC General Chairman & Treasurer Radu Mihai, corporate fleet manager, BURNCO Rock Products. “I congratulate all these winners for their achievement and commitment to the ideals of TMC.”
New chairman named
The council announced Mark Kennedy, corporate vice president of equipment, Knight Swift Transportation, Inc., has been installed as 2026-2027 general chairman and treasurer during the organization’s Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition.
Kennedy, based in Phoenix, Arizona, served the past year as the council’s vice chairman and chairman of meetings. He succeeds Radu Mihai, corporate fleet manager, BURNCO Rock Products, as general chairman and treasurer.
“I’m honored to accept this position from my fellow TMC members,” Kennedy said. “I look forward to working with the rest of TMC’s leadership to advance our industry’s goals. I also want to thank Radu for his service to our organization.”
Others serving as TMC officers for 2026-2027 include:
- Vice Chairman and Chairman of Meetings: Joey Young, Publix Super Markets, Inc.
- Chairman of Study Groups: Anthony Marshall, UPS
- Chairman of Membership and Publicity: Larry Rambeaux, Purkeys
- Chairman of Associates: Roger Maye, ConMet
- Immediate Past Chairman Mihai
- Executive Director Braswell
Directors-at-large include:
- Brian Liimatta, Cummins
- Scott Bartlein, Truck Fleet Management
- Kurt Dunn, PITT OHIO
- Brent Hilton, Maverick Transportation
- Randy Obermeyer, Online Transport, Inc.
- Kevin Tomlinson, Shrader Tire & Oil Company
- Ken Marko, US Foods
