Former ATA chairman Eugene Garner dies

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Vernon Eugene Garner, cofounder of Garner Transportation Group and former American Trucking Associations chairman, died Tuesday at the age of 69 after a lengthy illness.

ATA Chairman Patrick E. Quinn recalled Garner as “a talented businessman dedicated to the trucking industry, one who was always willing to give back to the trade that had made him such a success.”

The Findlay, Ohio, resident was born on March 28, 1937, in Wood County, Ohio. In 1960, he and his wife Regina founded Garner Trucking and began hauling agricultural products. Gradually the company’s focus shifted to regional shipment of general commodities and later added other services, including expediting, warehousing, logistics management, third-party services, contract maintenance and transportation consulting. In 1997, the Garners formed an umbrella company, Garner Transportation Group Inc.

Garner joined the Ohio Trucking Association Board of Trustees in 1981 and became OTA chairman in 2000. He became chairman of ATA in 2002. Garner was also a longtime member of the Truckload Carriers Association Board of Directors.

“The entire ATA family sends its deepest sympathy to Jean, and to their daughters and extended family. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers as we focus on our many happy memories of Vern and Jean’s time with us,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves.