Our 2025 Convention Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Rick Rigsby
President & CEO Rick Rigsby Communications, Motivational Speaker, Best-Selling Author
KEYNOTE — Making an Impact
We live in an era of astonishing technology, instant information and rampant social networking. Despite the epidemic advances that ushered in a new millennium, cultural critics argue that society has never been more shallow in communication and more superficial in appearance. In fact, Dr. Rigsby argues that for many organizations, appearance — or what he refers to as impression- has become the new corporate wardrobe.
We invite you to rediscover what is really important and meaningful — not only in your professional career but in your personal life as well. Join Dr. Rigsby as he shares the wisdom of past generations- wisdom that will inspire, motivate and empower you to make an impact rather than an impression!
Nearly 300 MILLION PEOPLE globally have viewed Dr. Rigsby’s sensational speech in the viral video titled, “Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout.”
Dr. Rigsby’s Bio
As President and CEO of Rick Rigsby Communications, the internationally acclaimed speaker presents to the top companies worldwide. Dr. Rick is also a favorite among professional and collegiate sports organizations. Rigsby—a former award-winning professor—spent over two decades teaching at various colleges, most of those years serving at Texas A&M University. In addition to academic duties, Dr. Rigsby was hired by legendary football icon R. C. Slocum as chaplain and Life Skills coach for the Aggies football team.
A former award-winning journalist, Dr. Rigsby is a regular contributor on numerous national television and radio programs.
Inspired by a genuine conviction to help people realize their full potential, Rick Rigsby brings a combined four decades of experience and expertise to the set of How Ya Livin’? This transformative podcast encourages, inspires and challenges people at every level to dream bigger, stretch beyond comfort zones and achieve the impossible!
As Rick says, “Most people I meet are asking themselves the same unrelenting question, ‘I wonder how great I can actually be?’ What a privilege to help people make such profound discoveries! “
A Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Amazon best-selling author, Dr. Rigsby’s books include Lessons From a Third Grade Dropout and Afraid to Hope.
Steve Tam
Vice President ACT Research
After receiving his B.S. from Indiana University, Steve spent seven years in various accounting positions at two Fortune 500 companies before joining ACT Research in 2000. Steve has been involved in the commercial vehicle industry since 1993. Since being promoted to Vice President in October 2008, he was appointed to the Board of Directors and became a Managing Member of ACT Research in September 2016.
He is one of ACT’s two principal commercial vehicle market analysts. He also leads the used truck market efforts for ACT. Some of his other responsibilities include project and database management; and collection, analysis, and reporting of specialty data series. In addition to being frequently sought after as a guest speaker at industry events and giving presentations to private companies, you will often see him quoted in industry publications, newspapers and business periodicals.
Steve has been a member of the UTA since 2005 and previously served on the Medium Duty Committee. He was elected to the UTA board of directors in November 2022. He joined the executive committee in November 2023 and has served as the association’s treasurer since then. Steve is also an active member of the convention committee.
When not “counting trucks,” Steve enjoys camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, reading, and movies. He and Christi have been married for 39 years, have two grown daughters (Olivia and Sarah). Steve and Christi enjoyed parenthood so much the first time around, they adopted their grandson, Riley.
Craig Fuller
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Freightwaves
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig was the founder of TransCard, a major provider of fleet fuel and debit cards. He is also the CEO of FLYING Magazine, the world’s most widely read aviation magazine. Previously, Fuller founded the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress, a leading provider of on-demand expedited truckload services. He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.
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