On the Hill with Rocco Marrari: A Defining Week for the ATA LEAD Class
- Pedigree Technologies
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Last week, Rocco Marrari, Vice President of Sales at Pedigree Technologies, joined his fellow peers in Washington, D.C. as part of the ATA’s 2024–2025 LEAD class, taking part in the association's annual "Call on Washington." Their mission? To bring the voices of the trucking industry directly to Congress and federal regulators.
What Is the ATA LEAD Class?
LEAD ATA is a selective, year-long leadership development program run by the American Trucking Associations (ATA)—the nation's premier trucking trade association representing over 37,000 members. The 2024–2025 cohort includes 22 rising leaders across the industry, Rocco among them. Designed to nurture future executives, it combines mentorship, policy education, and activism training, ensuring graduates are equipped to shape trucking and logistics in the years ahead.
Why the Program Matters
The trucking industry moves nearly 100% of consumer goods and over 70% of all freight tonnage in the U.S. In the face of evolving regulations, from safety protocols to emissions standards and infrastructure funding, strong, informed leadership is critical. LEAD ATA empowers participants like Rocco to serve as the industry’s articulate champions, helping shape resilient and forward-thinking trade policy.
Purpose on Capitol Hill
This week’s “Call on Washington” convened LEAD class members for:
In-depth briefings by ATA’s legislative team on key policy priorities, such as highway funding, safety mandates, and environmental regulations
Scheduled meetings with congressional offices to push for investment in trucking infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and workforce development.
A symbolic visit to the House Speaker’s Balcony, underscoring the industry’s visibility and political relevance.
For Rocco, this wasn’t just a photo op; it was an opportunity to voice the concerns of carriers and highlight trucking’s essential economic role.
The Importance of Transportation Lobbying
Why is advocacy so vital?
Economic imperative: Trucks haul nearly 80% of all U.S. communities’ goods, making a reliable freight infrastructure critical to everyday life
Navigating regulation: New policies around hours-of-service, electronic logging devices, emissions, and automated vehicles can dramatically affect costs and operations.
Shaping public perception: In-person advocacy humanizes the industry and builds credibility around trucking’s safety and environmental commitments.
Investing in the future: With growing freight demand, lobbying for infrastructure funding, workforce training, and tech integration is essential to support long-term growth.
What This Means for Rocco
For Rocco, this trip represents more than a networking opportunity; it marks a milestone in his professional evolution. As his LinkedIn LEAD spotlight explained, the experience has deepened his understanding of how to "bring issues within transportation to the forefront of the public" and inspire the next generation to consider trucking careers.
Contributing his voice to legislative conversations, Rocco is stepping into a national advocacy role, whether discussing funding shortages, roadblocks, or the growing need for skilled drivers and technicians.
Where Advocacy Meets Innovation
Rocco’s visit to Capitol Hill is a powerful reflection of how the LEAD ATA program shapes transportation professionals into forward-thinking, strategic influencers. It’s not just about policy, it's about impact. Backed by Pedigree Technologies, Rocco’s participation in the 2024–2025 LEAD class amplifies both his personal commitment to the industry and Pedigree’s ongoing mission to support smarter, safer, and more efficient fleets through technology.
At Pedigree, Rocco’s dedication to delivering real-world solutions, from predictive maintenance to live asset tracking, is making a measurable difference for fleets across the country. That passion doesn’t stop at the office. It drives his advocacy efforts and reinforces the critical need for industry voices like his at the policymaking table.
For Rocco Marrari, this experience is not only a professional honor but a national platform to champion innovation, fleet efficiency, and sustainable growth in transportation.
Keep Watching
Rocco and the rest of the LEAD ATA class return from Washington, D.C., energized and inspired, ready to keep the momentum going. As legislators continue to debate infrastructure, emissions, workforce challenges, and regulatory reforms, voices like Rocco’s will be essential in helping shape the future of transportation policy.
With Pedigree Technologies behind him and a deep passion for the industry driving him forward, Rocco’s leadership is one to watch, on Capitol Hill and well beyond.