(Grain Valley, Mo., Mar. 16, 2011) – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) welcomes Ryan Bowley as Director of Legislative Affairs. He will lead efforts on behalf of OOIDA involving highway funding, truck parking and other issues.  

“Ryan brings significant transportation policy experience after more than seven years working for members of the House of Representatives, plus a stint with a Washington-based government relations firm,” said Rod Nofziger, director of government affairs at OOIDA.

A Pennsylvania native, Bowley’s first position on Capitol Hill was as legislative assistant for then-congressman and chief I-80 tolling opponent John E. Peterson.  During his more than three years working for Congressman Peterson, he focused on infrastructure investment and the connection with economic growth.

Since then, his work on Capitol Hill has included involvement with the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, including policy work with a focus on improving goods movement and prioritizing federal investment on the interstate and major freight corridors.  His infrastructure policy experience covers all modes and every major piece of infrastructure legislation considered in recent Congresses.

Most recently, he represented a number of transportation-related clients before Congress and the Executive Branch, including a major state ports authority and a heavy-highway engineering and design firm. 

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the largest national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. The Association currently has more than 152,000 members nationwide. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the Greater Kansas City, Mo., area.