The National Industrial Transportation League has selected one of its own as its new leader. John B. Ficker took up the reins as the group's president last month and will be formally introduced to the membership at the group's annual meeting and conference in November. He succeeds Peter J. Gatti, who served as the interim head of the 96-year-old organization after the departure of long-time president Edward Emmett in March.

Ficker brings more than 33 years' worth of transportation industry experience to the job. He most recently served as the logistics development manager for the Weyerhaeuser Co., where he was responsible for the development and management of legislative positions and regulatory policy as well as negotiating for transportation services with suppliers. Prior to his stint at Weyerhaeuser, he served as the corporate transportation manager for Publishers Paper Co. Before that, he directed sales and related functions for the Southern Pacific Transportation Co.

Speaking on behalf of the league, board chairman Tom Pellington says, "We are very fortunate to have John as our new president.He understands the needs of our members and the concerns of the freight transportation industry. His leadership and passion will expand the league's role as the pre-eminent organization in the transportation community."