NATSO Tabs Fay
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Association of Truck Stop Operators, which represents 1,200 travel plazas and truckstops, ended its long search for a new president and CEO, naming William Fay. He replaces W. Dewey Clower, who is retiring at year's end after serving 15 years as president.
Fay, who assumes his new position in December, has spent the past eight years heading the American Highway Users Alliance, which serves as a voice for 45 million motorists, truckers and businesses.
Prior to joining the highway alliance, he worked as executive director of the Product Liability Coordinating Committee where he was tasked with the revival of a 10-year business campaign to enact a federal, uniform product liability law. Additionally, he championed a widespread expansion of the committee's grassroots efforts, conducted an extensive, nationwide media outreach campaign and established crucial congressional contacts.
Fay also served as executive director of the Clean Air Working Group and vice president for congressional affairs for the National Coal Association. Fay first came to Washington as a professional staff member on the House Agriculture Committee in 1979 and later served as Legislative Director for Sen. Steve Symms (R-Idaho).
Among his accomplishments, Fay helped grow membership of the American Highway Users Alliance, led lobbying efforts in support of a firewall to protect the Highway Trust Fund, and coordinated the national campaign to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Interstate Highway System.
"With Bill's extensive experience as an energetic leader and strong advocate in Washington, I have no doubt that he will aggressively protect and advance NATSO's interests," said NATSO Chairman James B. Goetz, who guided the presidential search committee. "His proven leadership and impressive coalition-building skills will certainly strengthen our association."
Goetz also praised Fay's extensive relationships with Congressional figures and said his impressive communication skills "will make Bill a dynamic and effective representative of the travel plaza and truckstop industry."
With Fay's hiring, NATSO is losing its top government affairs official.
Scott Imus, the association's chief lobbyist for the past nine years, resigned as vice president of government affairs after he was passed over for NATSO's top position.
"[Imus] made many contributions to NATSO's critical government affairs efforts, and we are grateful for his passionate advocacy on behalf of the industry," Clower said. "The staff and members of NATSO wish Scott the very best."
In particular, Clower lauded Imus' efforts to halt several proposals that would have commercialized the nation's rest areas. A critical issue for the association, rest area commercialization would seriously threaten interstate-based businesses, particularly truckstops and travel plazas.
ABOVE: NATSO's new president and CEO William Fay.
Fay, who assumes his new position in December, has spent the past eight years heading the American Highway Users Alliance, which serves as a voice for 45 million motorists, truckers and businesses.
Prior to joining the highway alliance, he worked as executive director of the Product Liability Coordinating Committee where he was tasked with the revival of a 10-year business campaign to enact a federal, uniform product liability law. Additionally, he championed a widespread expansion of the committee's grassroots efforts, conducted an extensive, nationwide media outreach campaign and established crucial congressional contacts.
Fay also served as executive director of the Clean Air Working Group and vice president for congressional affairs for the National Coal Association. Fay first came to Washington as a professional staff member on the House Agriculture Committee in 1979 and later served as Legislative Director for Sen. Steve Symms (R-Idaho).
Among his accomplishments, Fay helped grow membership of the American Highway Users Alliance, led lobbying efforts in support of a firewall to protect the Highway Trust Fund, and coordinated the national campaign to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Interstate Highway System.
"With Bill's extensive experience as an energetic leader and strong advocate in Washington, I have no doubt that he will aggressively protect and advance NATSO's interests," said NATSO Chairman James B. Goetz, who guided the presidential search committee. "His proven leadership and impressive coalition-building skills will certainly strengthen our association."
Goetz also praised Fay's extensive relationships with Congressional figures and said his impressive communication skills "will make Bill a dynamic and effective representative of the travel plaza and truckstop industry."
With Fay's hiring, NATSO is losing its top government affairs official.
Scott Imus, the association's chief lobbyist for the past nine years, resigned as vice president of government affairs after he was passed over for NATSO's top position.
"[Imus] made many contributions to NATSO's critical government affairs efforts, and we are grateful for his passionate advocacy on behalf of the industry," Clower said. "The staff and members of NATSO wish Scott the very best."
In particular, Clower lauded Imus' efforts to halt several proposals that would have commercialized the nation's rest areas. A critical issue for the association, rest area commercialization would seriously threaten interstate-based businesses, particularly truckstops and travel plazas.
ABOVE: NATSO's new president and CEO William Fay.