Federation Looks Forward to Working with New Administration on Safety, Infrastructure Arlington, Va. - Today, American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear praised President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao to be the next Secretary of Transportation. “I had the privilege of serving with and working closely with Secretary Chao during my time at the Department of Labor, and I am extremely pleased that she will be taking on this new challenge,” Spear said. “President-elect Trump could not have picked a more qualified, experienced and dedicated individual to serve in this important role. “From her experience as Deputy Transportation Secretary under President George H.W. Bush, Secretary Chao understands the issues we face as we try to keep America’s freight moving safely and efficiently,” he said. “We are eager to support her as our country and our industry work to improve our roads and bridges, improve safety, and harness the potential that emerging technologies have to continue to move our country forward.” Spear served as Assistant Secretary of Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor from 2001-2004.