Five Questions With TIA’s New Economist

Learn a little about Amanda Radwanski, TIA’s new Director of Economics

Describe the freight market in one word.
Fundamental. The economy runs on physical stuff: the food in your fridge, the steel in your car, the lumber in your house. All of it has to move and freight makes that possible.

What drew you to freight?
Freight is economics in motion! Consumer spending, business decisions, and trade deals turn into real shipments on a real truck. It’s always moving, and I enjoy being part of it.

One fun fact about the economy?
The Big Mac Index. It’s an informal way to measure purchasing power between countries by comparing the price of a Big Mac across the world. To compare different currencies, the Big Mac index compares just the local cost of the same burger, rather than the traditionally more complex measure using a basket of goods.

What are you most excited to do for TIA members?
I’m looking forward to digging into our quarterly market report and a new study on the impact of raising insurance minimums on freight carriers. But the best part is working directly with TIA members and advocating for them here in the nation’s capital.

Something people would never guess about you?
My high school mascot was a fighting potato. I grew up in Ridgefield, Washington, home of the Spudders, and I’m still proud of it.