By Michelle Williams
Amy Lathrop of Carmel was named 2016 Madame Chair of the Board for the Indiana Motor Truck Association at its annual business meeting last month. She works as chief operating officer of Indianapolis-based Perfect Pallets, Inc. It will be her fourth year serving in a volunteer officer role for IMTA, with previous positions including secretary, second vice chair, and first vice chair. The association serves more than 400 members.
Lathrop’s family has been involved in the trucking industry through three generations. Her father, Mark Haag, and grandfather, Robert Haag, both served director roles in IMTA. They had been in business together with Haag Trucking 20 years before the current family business started in 1991, a year prior to Lathrop’s graduation from Carmel High School in 1992.
“Part of my role will be focused on driving more membership and engaging current members” Lathrop said. “It’s also looking at what opportunities we have for advocacy at both the state and federal level for improving our position within transportation.”
Lathrop explained that a great number of trucking companies are based out of Indiana.
“We’re constantly looking at how we strengthen our image for truck drivers and trucking in the state of Indiana, because it’s such a key part of our economy and plays a vital role within the 50 states, being the crossroads,” she said. “It’s the primary epicenter where all transportation intersects.”
Lathrop is the third woman to serve as chair for IMTA in its 84-year history, and she has seen more women involved in the industry in recent years.
“We have great need in transportation to fill a lot of empty jobs for truck drivers,” she said. “There’s a great opportunity for us to engage and attract women into those roles. It’s a great platform for us to grow our industry.”
