Embark Hires Senior Legislative Representative from Teamsters Union to Lead Federal Policy Effort

Rhea-AI Summary

Embark Trucks has appointed Sam Loesche to its Public Policy team, enhancing its labor-friendly strategy in promoting autonomous trucking technology. Loesche brings over a decade of experience, previously leading federal policy at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. His role involves deepening collaborations with policymakers to promote the benefits of autonomous trucks while improving driver livelihoods.

Embark is set to commercialize its technology in 2024, aiming to establish safer and more efficient transportation systems within the $700 billion trucking industry.

Positive

• Appointment of Sam Loesche strengthens relationships with federal policymakers to advocate for labor interests.
• Proactive approach to regulatory pathways could enhance chances for successful commercialization.

Negative

• None.

Sam Loesche brings a decade of national transportation policy experience to Embark as he reinforces the company’s labor-friendly go-to-market strategy

SAN FRANCISCO, March 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Embark Trucks, Inc. (Nasdaq: EMBK, “Embark”), a leading developer of autonomous technology for the trucking industry, today announced the addition of Sam Loesche to its Public Policy team to deepen the company’s commitment to improving driver livelihoods by working closely with public sector stakeholders and drivers to roll out autonomous truck technology. Sam joins Embark to lead its federal policy work as the company continues to announce new partnerships with fleets and recently unveiled the Truck Transfer Program, which will put Embark-powered autonomous trucks directly into the hands of carrier Knight-Swift and its drivers.

Over the past five years, Embark has pursued a proactive and industry-leading approach on autonomous truck policy that has helped build a clear regulatory pathway for commercialization. One of the company’s very first hires was Jonny Morris as Head of Public Policy in 2017. Since then, the company has established a long track record of working with federal and state policymakers, law enforcement, and labor groups to clarify regulatory pathways to commercialization, improve driver livelihoods, and prioritize safety as it deploys its technology. Embark added former Secretary of Transportation and Labor Elaine Chao to its Board of Directors in 2021 to further strengthen Embark’s position in the AV industry.

Sam joins Embark with a unique perspective drawn from over a decade of working with organized labor. For the last eight years, Sam led federal policy and legislative affairs for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of the nation’s largest and most diverse labor unions. Prior to the Teamsters, Sam worked as a legislative aide at the United Auto Workers.

At Embark, Sam will further strengthen Embark long standing relationships with federal policymakers, including the US Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and members of Congress, to enumerate the safety, labor, and environmental benefits of autonomous trucking ahead of commercial deployment of the Embark Driver in 2024. Under Sam’s leadership, Embark will build on its existing relationships with interest groups, unions, and policymakers across the political spectrum to make sure the introduction of autonomous trucking will benefit today's truck drivers while establishing additional new, well-paying transportation jobs of the future.

Today, Embark’s operating model is designed to apply autonomous driving technology to the treacherous and grueling long-haul truck miles where human drivers struggle with distraction and fatigue. The Embark Driver enables truckers to pursue more desirable short haul jobs to stay closer to their families and loved ones, all while reducing the risk of deadly motor vehicle accidents on highways. Embark is currently working with shipper and carrier partners to determine how best to utilize the limited driver workforce to address the growing demands of the national supply chain, and when and how to have drivers haul loads alongside autonomous capacity.

“From the beginning, one of Embark’s goals has been to improve the safety and working conditions of truck drivers in America,” said Jonny Morris, Head of Corporate Affairs at Embark. “As we bring our autonomous truck technology to market, we envision a world where drivers get to spend more nights at home and we have fewer accidents on our roads. Sam will ensure that we work hand-in-glove with federal policymakers as well as labor, environmental, and safety groups to make that dream a reality.”

To learn more about Sam’s labor-first philosophy and Embark’s commitment to the trucking industry, read his blog post here.

About Embark
Embark Trucks, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed Embark Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: EMBK), is an autonomous vehicle company building the software powering autonomous trucks, focused on improving the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the nearly $700 billion a year trucking market. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA since its founding in 2016, Embark is America’s longest-running self-driving truck program. The company partners with some of the largest shippers and carriers in the nation, collectively representing over 35,000 trucks and $22 billion in annual freight spend.

Embark’s mission is to realize a world where consumers pay less for the things they need, drivers stay close to the homes they cherish, and roads are safer for the people we love. To learn more about Embark, visit embarktrucks.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Embark’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Embark’s expectations with respect to future performance. These forward-looking statements also involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) ability to expand into new markets; (2) changes in the applicable laws or regulations; (3) the possibility that Embark may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (4) the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic; and (5) other risks and uncertainties separately provided to you and indicated from time to time described in filings and potential filings by Embark with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including those discussed in the registration statement on Form S-4 and definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC from time to time. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward looking statements. Embark cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, including projections, which speak only as of the date made. Embark undertakes no obligation to and accepts no obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Media Contact
Misha Rindisbacher
press@embarktrucks.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4134290a-43c9-49be-8625-fa2fd02f4459

FAQ

What is the significance of Sam Loesche's appointment at Embark (EMBK)?

Sam Loesche's appointment to Embark's Public Policy team is significant as it aims to enhance the company's labor-friendly strategy and establish deeper relationships with federal policymakers.

What are the goals of Embark's autonomous trucking technology by 2024?

Embark aims to commercialize its autonomous trucking technology by 2024, focusing on safety, improved driver conditions, and efficient operations in the trucking industry.

How does Sam Loesche's background influence Embark's initiatives?

Loesche's extensive experience with organized labor, particularly at the Teamsters, will influence Embark's approach to supporting drivers and engaging with policymakers.

What partnerships has Embark recently announced regarding its autonomous technology?

Embark has announced partnerships with fleets, including a program to put Embark-powered autonomous trucks into operation with Knight-Swift.