Trucking Federation Honors YRC Worldwide’s Kelley with Halladay Award

Arlington, Va. – During their recent annual meeting the Trucking Association Executives Council honored J. Michael Kelley, chief sustainability officer and vice president of external affairs for YRC Worldwide Inc., with the distinguished J.R. "Bob" Halladay Award for his long time dedication to, and continued support of, the TAEC.

The Halladay Award, named for the late Bob Halladay, who served as ATA’s senior vice president for federation relations, recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions in assisting and supporting the work and efforts of the 50 state trucking associations and conferences that make up the ATA Federation. The periodic award is presented only when the region hosting the TAEC Annual Meeting has determined a person worthy of the recognition.

“Mike exemplifies the honesty, professionalism and dedication we look for when bestowing the Halladay award,” said TAEC Chairman John Hausladen, president of the Minnesota Trucking Association. “Throughout his career Mike has sought the best for the federation as a faithful supporter of our efforts as a group, and as individual states, even when times were tough, Mike worked to keep YRC as a member of all the state trucking associations, which is a testament to his commitment to our work.”

“At YRC Worldwide we place a great value on the work of the members of TAEC,” Kelley said. “Every day these dedicated professionals work to promote and protect our industry to keep the wheels of commerce moving. There are common threads that bind the TAEC family - dedication, passion and professionalism - and to be recognized by them is a great honor and one that I will work to uphold in the spirit of Bob Halladay’s exemplary service to the trucking industry.”

“We are very proud that Mike has been selected as the recipient of the Bob Halladay Award. Mike is a tremendous asset to YRC Worldwide and also the ATA with his support and involvement with the state associations,” said James Welch, CEO of YRC Worldwide. “His knowledge of this industry is deep and Mike has always been proud to work in the trucking industry. Mike represents both YRC Worldwide and the trucking industry as a consummate professional in any activity that he is involved with. And certainly we are lucky to have Mike working for YRC Worldwide.”

The award was presented to Kelley at the TAEC Annual Meeting held July 20-23 in Austin, Tex.

Halladay served as the first elected chairman of ATA’s Trucking Association Executives Council. During his tenure he wrote "The Story of the American Trucking Associations," a history of the group published in 1994. He sadly passed away this September, but this award honors his memory and legacy.

The Trucking Association Executives Council is comprised of staff executives of state trucking associations and conferences affiliated with American Trucking Associations. This mission of TAEC is to promote the trucking industry; contribute to the improvement of the associations and organizations established to serve the trucking industry; and to advance the professional stature and capabilities of the executives of those associations.