May 2026
NMFTA Headline Newsletter
We’ve designed this newsletter to be a vehicle to communicate general trucking issues as well as the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.® (NMFTA)® activities.
Educate. Detect. Prevent.
Helping to stop freight fraud before it starts
Why Cargo Theft Is a Shared Problem—and the Shared Solution That’s Taking Shape
The Growing Threat Behind Today’s Supply Chain
Freight fraud is becoming a business continuity challenge for carriers, brokers, shippers, and technology platforms alike, considering that:
— Criminals pose as legitimate carriers and brokers.
— Annual losses may reach $35 billion.
— Fraud schemes now include identity impersonation and double brokering.
— NMFTA is advancing tools, education, and data-sharing initiatives.
Behind the headlines is a bigger trend:
— More sophisticated fraud tactics.
— Identity spoofing and “phantom carriers.”
— Higher-value, faster-moving goods being targeted.
If your business depends on moving freight, fraud is a risk you already face. The difference lies in your level of readiness.
It's Time to Join the Fight:
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Every day it's a new headline. A shipment of crab legs has been stolen. A train was stopped in the dessert and a container of high-end sneakers were stolen.
Freight fraud is evolving fast—and fighting it takes industry-wide collaboration. Join the Freight Fraud Prevention Hub as a partner to help shape solutions, share expertise, strengthen industry defenses, and connect with leaders committed to protecting the supply chain.
Join the 15 companies that have already signed on as partners!
There is no cost to participate.
Request An Expert
Looking for an industry expert to speak at your next event, webinar, panel, or conference? NMFTA’s specialists are available to share insights on freight classification, cybersecurity, freight fraud prevention, digital API standards, and emerging transportation technologies. Connect with our team to bring trusted industry expertise to your audience.
Top News
Call for Industry Review: Proposed Transition to Full-Scale Density
The Freight Classification Development Center (FCDC) is currently reviewing a wide range of commodity groupings for potential transition to full-scale density-based classification. As part of this ongoing effort, numerous items across diverse commodity categories are being evaluated where density has been identified as the primary transportation characteristic.
Carriers, shippers, 3PLs, and other logistics stakeholders are encouraged to review the current list of items under consideration and provide feedback on any operational or handling concerns. Industry insight plays a critical role in helping ensure classification changes are practical, transparent, and aligned with real-world transportation conditions. The list will be updated regularly, so stakeholders are encouraged to check back often for new additions and updates.
NMFTA's ClassIT+ Wins Gold Stevie® Award in 2026 American Business Awards®
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc.® (NMFTA)® has announced that its ClassIT+™ platform has been recognized with a Gold Stevie® Award in the 2026 American Business Awards® for excellence in transportation products and services. Designed to modernize LTL freight classification and improve industry efficiency, ClassIT+ achieved rapid adoption following its 2025 launch, with strong user migration, subscription growth, and expanded data integration across carriers, 3PLs, and technology providers. Click below to learn more about how ClassIT+ is helping shape the future of freight classification.
NMFTA Appoints Ben Wilkens as Director of Cybersecurity
NMFTA has promoted Ben Wilkens to Director of Cybersecurity, where he will lead the association’s cybersecurity strategy, research, and industry collaboration efforts. With a strong background in both transportation and cybersecurity, Wilkens brings valuable expertise to advancing security across the freight and logistics industry.
Attention Small LTL Carriers: Learn How SCAC Verified Can Help Protect Yourself from Freight Fraud
SCAC Verified™ by NMFTA® helps fight growing freight fraud in the LTL industry by verifying and linking each SCAC to a documented carrier identity. This protects small and independent carriers from common scams like identity theft and double brokering, making it harder for criminals to impersonate carriers or steal payments and cargo.
NMFTA Team Takes Over Nationals Park ⚾
The NMFTA staff recently enjoyed an outing to Washington Nationals Park in Washington, DC, where the team watched a game against the Atlanta Braves. A good time was had by all!
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Meet Our New Board Members!
Erica Brigance, Kris McLennan, Chris Thacker and Mike Zupon. We’re excited to have their expertise and leadership guiding our mission forward, and we look forward to the impact they will make in supporting our community and advancing our goals.
Why Complexity Is the Best Part of Trucking: A Conversation with Erica Brigance
Get to know Erica Brigance, Vice President of Strategic Products and Analytics at ArcBest, as she shares her journey through more than two decades in the trucking and logistics industry. Erica discusses innovation, technology, and data-driven leadership—and how she hopes to help shape the future of NMFTA during her time on the board.
From Billing Clerk to Board Leader: Kris McLennan’s 40-Year Journey in Trucking
Meet Kris McLennan, Vice President of Yield Management at A. Duie Pyle, Inc., as she shares insights from her nearly 40-year career in the trucking industry. Kris discusses leadership, industry collaboration, and her vision for helping guide NMFTA’s continued growth and member engagement.
He Almost Chose Banking. Instead, He Built a 30-Year Career in Trucking
Meet Chris Thacker, Vice President of Pricing and Traffic at Averitt Express, as he reflects on nearly 30 years in the transportation industry. In this Q&A, Chris shares his perspective on leadership, industry relationships, and how technology and AI will continue transforming efficiency and decision-making in LTL operations.
Meet Mike Zupon: A Career Shaped by Change, Technology, and People
Get to know Mike Zupon, Vice President of Technology at Ward Transport & Logistics, as he shares insights from his career in the LTL industry and his journey from programmer to executive leadership. Mike shares the value of community, collaboration, and relationship-building within NMFTA, along with the impact he hopes to make as a board member.
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Why Accurate Freight Data Matters More Than Ever
As the LTL industry shifts toward density-based classification and carriers adopt advanced dimensioning technology, shipment accuracy has become critical. With re-rates affecting up to one in four shipments, shippers relying on outdated measurement practices are facing unexpected costs and strained carrier relationships. Learn how the NMFTA’s latest classification changes are reshaping freight pricing—and why better data, training, and carrier partnerships can make all the difference.
Manifest Vegas 2027
Manifest Vegas 2027 connects the global leaders, innovators, and investors shaping the future of supply chain and logistics. Register and secure your spot at the lowest price to attend: ManifestVegas.com/NMFTA
Events & Meetings
2026 Freight Classification Webinar Series 2
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | 1:00-2:00 pm ET
Join your NMFTA for the first module of its National Motor Freight Classification® (NMFC)® training webinar series. This session provides an introduction to the less-than-truckload (LTL) freight classification system, the development of classification provisions, and how to effectively use ClassIT+. Ideal for professionals looking to strengthen their understanding of freight classification fundamentals.
Governing AI in Trucking: A Strategic Approach to Safe Innovation
Thursday June 18, 2026 | 1:00-2:00 PM ET
Join NMFTA and your peers to explore our newest resource: the AI Governance Framework. Learn how trucking organizations can adopt AI securely, responsibly, and efficiently. Gain practical insights on managing AI risk, compliance, and accountability while supporting innovation across fleet operations.
Plan Ahead for NMFTA Fall Meeting 2026
September 29-October 1, 2026 | Long Beach, CA
Looking for an event to network and talk all things LTL freight with your colleagues? Look no further than NMFTA's Fall Meeting. Don't miss three days of engaging discussions, valuable insights, and networking opportunities focused on the issues that matter most to the LTL motor carrier industry. The Fall Meeting will be held in conjunction with the 2026 Fall W&R Council Meeting and the NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference.
Resources
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Did You Know? NMFTA Offers Classification Interpretations
NMFTA's Interpretations team helps carriers, shippers, and logistics professionals accurately classify commodities under the NMFC by providing expert guidance, correct item numbers, official descriptions, and clarification on applicable rules and packaging requirements.
Need to Vet Carriers? Get the Step-by-Step Carrier Vetting Workflow
A practical, step-by-step carrier vetting workflow designed to help teams identify fraud, verify carrier legitimacy, and standardize the vetting process in real time. This plug-and-play framework equips brokers, shippers, and operations teams with targeted questions and actionable steps to spot red flags and protect every load before fraud happens.
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Avoiding Onboarding Delays and Understanding ID‑Verified SCACs
As freight fraud continues to rise, brokers are increasingly requiring ID-verified SCACs® during onboarding to confirm carrier legitimacy and prevent impersonation. While additional verification steps may cause delays, they help protect against fraud schemes such as double brokering, identity theft, and unauthorized carrier activity.
SAE J2497 Revision Opened: Bringing Cybersecurity to a Legacy Vehicle Protocol
NMFTA has successfully led a major industry effort to update SAE J2497, a long-standing vehicle communications standard, to address newly identified cybersecurity risks. Learn how NMFTA’s research and collaboration with SAE are helping modernize legacy tractor-trailer communications, improve fleet security, and shape safer future transportation technologies.
Why Cargo Theft Is a Shared Problem—and the Shared Solution That’s Taking Shape
Cargo theft and freight fraud have evolved into major threats to the North American supply chain, driven by sophisticated digital impersonation schemes and identity fraud. With billions lost each year, the impact extends beyond stolen freight to disrupt trust, operations, and business continuity across the entire logistics ecosystem. NMFTA is helping lead industry-wide efforts to strengthen security, trust, and fraud prevention.
Trucking Cybersecurity News
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NMFTA Cybersecurity Expert to Present Tractor ECU Security Research
Join NMFTA’s Senior Cybersecurity Research Engineer, Ben Gardiner, at Black Hat USA 2026 for a session on critical vulnerabilities discovered in tractor brake controllers through reverse engineering and firmware analysis, highlighting cybersecurity risks in connected vehicle systems and the hidden security implications of a major industry recall.
We Need Your Teams at NMFTA's Cybersecurity Conference
Join the NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference, the only cybersecurity event dedicated exclusively to the trucking industry. Connect with industry leaders, cybersecurity experts, and transportation professionals as they explore emerging cyber threats, innovative security solutions, and best practices designed specifically for trucking operations.
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