U.S. Xpress trucking pioneer Pat Quinn dies

photo Patrick "Pat" Quinn, President of U.S. Xpress

Patrick E. Quinn, co-chairman and president of Chattanooga-based U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc., died today following a battle with brain cancer.

Quinn, 65, founded U.S. Xpress in 1985 with business partner Max Fuller, the company's co-chairman and CEO.

Under the leadership of Quinn and Fuller, U.S. Xpress grew from a 48-truck start-up operation to become the nation's second largest privately owned truckload carrier, with 8,500 trucks and more than 10,000 employees nationwide.

Quinn served as chairman of the American Trucking Associations as well as chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association.

During his term as Chairman of ATA, Quinn received an appointment in 2006 from then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission.

"Pat was a tremendous business partner and he had a real passion for working to make a difference in our industry," said Fuller, who assumed the majority of Quinn's duties at U.S. Xpress following his diagnosis earlier this year. "One of the most lasting accomplishments of my career was the business partnership that Pat and I established. To me, Pat was more than a friend.

Quinn is survived by his wife of 43 years, Anna Marie, three children and seven grandchildren.

His oldest daughter, Lisa Pate, currently serves as executive vice president and general counsel for U.S. Xpress Enterprises, while his son, Brian, is the vice president and general manager of the company's International Business Unit.

"He was a true partner and, most importantly to me, Pat was family," Fuller said. "Pat left an indelible mark on U.S. Xpress and our industry. He will be missed."

Contact staff writer Ellis Smith at esmith@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6315.

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