Scott Pearson, president of Peterbilt of Atlanta, was passed the gavel as the new chairman of the American Truck Dealers (ATD) Friday during the ATD Show in Las Vegas.
Taking over for McCandless Truck Centers President Scott McCandless, Pearson used his opening address ahead of Charlie Cook’s keynote presentation on the upcoming presidential election to share his career story and motivate his fellow dealers in the audience to continue giving their time and expertise to supporting ATD in its mission to better the truck dealer channel. Pearson mentioned state and federal regulation, technology implementation and increased competition as challenges the dealer industry can best face together to ensure a successful and prosperous tomorrow.
“Enthusiasm is a state of mind, and it’s contagious,” said Pearson. “We need your enthusiasm and your engagement.”
Peason spoke of tenets he uses in his operation to drive progress, starting with ‘Fix the problem – Not the blame.’ Pearson said aggressive regulations from the EPA and CARB must be addressed comprehensively. He said the truck dealer channel is large enough to earn a seat at the table to debate the best path forward for debates regarding emissions and new vehicle technologies. Pearson said if dealers get hung up on how unfair regulations are and don’t focus their efforts on suggesting common sense alternatives then nothing will change.
He also urged the dealers in attendance to speak up so he and ATD can ‘listen generously.’
“We have to hear from you,” he said. “The world is changing faster and we have to stay alert to those changes … Today’s truck dealerships are not the same as they were a generation ago — or even a decade ago.”
Pearson said trucking is the backbone of the economy. ATD and its members have a responsibility to themselves, the industry and the general economy to fight for what’s best for the channel.
