OOIDA president led group for more than 40 years

Johnston

Jim Johnston, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association for more than 40 years, died Monday at age 78. He had battled lung cancer for more than a year.

Johnston first took the helm of the Grain Valley, Mo.-based OOIDA in 1974. The $4.5 million-revenue association represents small-business trucking professionals and independent truck drivers.

"The trucking industry has lost a visionary and crusader for the rights of all truckers," OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer said in a statement. "He leaves behind a legacy of passion and persistence that we will undoubtedly look to as our inspiration going forward as we continue the mission of the association."

Spencer has been appointed acting director of OOIDA.

As an association representing independent drivers, OOIDA sometimes clashed on policy issues with the American Trucking Associations, which represents larger trucking companies. However, ATA CEO Chris Spear praised Johnston's contributions to the industry.

"He was a passionate leader for drivers and the industry, advocating issues that helped build this great nation," Spear said in a statement. "Jim never strayed from who he was and who he represented—truckers. Jim was a warrior, and he will be missed."

OOIDA has established a memorial page for Johnston on its website. A celebration of life, open to the public, will be arranged and announced at a later date, the association said. http://bit.ly/2maT1p0

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