ARLINGTON, VA -- The American Trucking Associations (ATA) announced the appointment of Mary Phillips as senior vice president of Legislative Affairs. Phillips returns to ATA after serving as Vice President of Legislative Affairs in 2005 and 2006. At that time, she focused on ATA's efforts to secure reauthorization of the highway program, including the organization's goals for the safety and hazardous materials titles of the bill.

"We are delighted to have Mary join our staff," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "Her tremendous understanding of trucking, transportation and the workings of Capitol Hill will be a great asset to our members and bolster our advocacy work relating to the industry's core issues of safety, essentiality and sustainability."

As Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs, Phillips will lead ATA's advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill.  Among the many issues facing the trucking industry in the upcoming Congress will be reauthorization of the current highway program, a number of tax-related matters, and transportation security.

Prior to re-joining ATA, Phillips served as a Senior Professional Staff Member for the Senate Commerce Committee's Surface Transportation Subcommittee, a position she also held from 2002 through 2004. Between her two tours with Senate Commerce, Phillips served as the Associate Administrator for Policy and Governmental Affairs at the Federal Highway Administration and as ATA Vice President of Legislative Affairs.  She has also held a number of positions in the railroad industry in marketing, sales, strategic planning, and governmental affairs.

Phillips succeeds Timothy Lynch, who joined international law firm Morgan-Lewis as senior director of its Washington Government Relations and Public Policy Practice.