From Transport Topics
Mike Russell, American Trucking Associations’ vice president for public affairs, died June 15 while whitewater rafting in Colorado during a family reunion.
Russell, 64, had been at ATA since February 1999. Before that, he had a long career as a television newsman and public affairs specialist.
Word of his death came from family members who were with him in Colorado. ATA President Bill Graves said, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike’s family and friends.”
“Our entire trucking industry has lost a truly dedicated professional communicator. … Mike will be sorely missed,” said D. Mike Pennington, senior director of global marketing communications for ArvinMeritor Inc.
He leaves his wife, Rita; their daughter, Michele, and one grandchild. He lived in Sterling, VA.
The Clear Creek, CO, sheriff’s office reported that Russell died around 10:30 a.m. local time “after falling out of the raft” while on a trip near Idaho Springs, about 50 miles west of Denver.
Rescuers arrived by helicopter but were unable to save Russell, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office. No one else was injured.
An editor at the Rocky Mountain News in Denver reported this “has been a rough year” for rafters and that Russell’s death was the latest in a string of fatalities. The editor said a winter season with greater-than-usual snowfalls, combined with recent record-breaking warm temperatures, have sent water surging down Colorado’s streams and rivers.
Before joining ATA, Russell served as the director of public and consumer affairs for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Prior to NHTSA, he served three years as press secretary of the National Performance Review, Vice President Al Gore’s initiative to “reinvent government.”
From late 1993 through 1994, he was the press secretary to Dr. Joycelyn Elders when she was the U.S. surgeon general. From April 1989 to November 1993, Russell was press secretary to U.S. Rep. William D. Ford (D-MI), when he was first chairman of the Post Office and Civil Service Committee and then chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor. He was press secretary to U.S. Sen. Donald W. Riegle (D-MI) from June 1979 to April 1989. Before that, Russell was a television newsman in Detroit; Flint, MI; and Lancaster, PA.
He was a graduate of Boston University and served four years in the Marine Corps.
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