ATRI President Brewster to Retire After 34 Years; Leadership Transition Begins

Event summary

  • Rebecca Brewster, ATRI President and COO, to retire in early 2027 after 34 years, 25 as leader.
  • ATRI Board, led by Werner Enterprises Chairman Derek Leathers, forming search committee for successor.
  • Brenda Neville, Iowa Motor Truck Association President, to chair search committee.
  • ATRI is the trucking industry's nonprofit research organization focused on safety and productivity.

The big picture

Brewster's retirement marks the end of an era for ATRI, which has become the trucking industry's go-to source for data-driven insights under her leadership. The transition comes at a time when freight transportation faces increasing regulatory scrutiny and technological disruption, making the choice of her successor critical for maintaining industry trust in ATRI's research. The search committee's ability to identify a leader who can navigate these challenges will determine ATRI's future influence.

What we're watching

Leadership Continuity
How the search committee will balance internal succession with external talent to maintain ATRI's research credibility.
Industry Influence
Whether ATRI can sustain its position as the trucking industry's most respected data source under new leadership.
Transition Timeline
The pace at which the new president can be onboarded and integrated before Brewster's departure in early 2027.