Redefining the Road Edition 1 2024

2024

TOP WOMEN TO

INSIDE...

Erin Van Zeeland of Schneider

Becoming a Standout Leader

Being Authentically You at Work

Truck

TRUCK PARKING ANYTIME

Parking: A National Safety Concern

New Safety Mindset Marks Road Ahead

Celebrating a 2-Million Safe Miles Driver Jodi Edwards of J.B. Hunt

Peterbilt leads the commercial EV industry with the widest lineup of electric vehicles, with three configurations available for regional haul, pickup and delivery and refuse applications. Peterbilt provides leading services and support for customers adding EVs to their fleets, helping them integrate EVs seamlessly into ongoing operations to deliver low cost of ownership and zero-emissions performance. As your electrification partner, Peterbilt’s dedicated team helps identify the best configuration for your operations, locates incentives and helps you choose from the wide selection of PACCAR chargers and infrastructure solutions to make EVs a reality for your business. Peterbilt. Leading the Charge.

YOUR YOUR CAREER DRIVE

Realize your true potential in an industry and company as diverse as the landscape

covers. As a dedicated group of now 44,000 strong, Penske is committed to providing all associates with the tools they need to achieve greatness.

We believe innovation thrives when talent from all backgrounds unite, so we’re always excited to welcome new voices and perspectives that can contribute to our

success. Explore a number of opportunities across various role types, including:

Truck drivers

Warehouse operations

Maintenance and body shop technicians

Ready to shape the future of transportation together?

NAVISTAR CELEBRATES TOP WOMEN TO WATCH IN 2024

AMY HAS SPENT THE PAST THREE YEARS AT NAVISTAR AS A DRIVING FORCE FOR CHANGE.

Amy’s position in Quality offers her a unique opportunity to touch all areas of the company and to reinforce the need for strong mentorship, education, and skill development for women across the enterprise.

As a VP in Quality, Amy has been instrumental in overseeing quality aspects of the production of the International S13 Integrated Powertrain. Amy also brings a customer-first focus to Navistar Quality. When it comes to her staff, Amy focuses on growing talent for the future and helping women around Navistar see that their work makes a difference.

WENDY NEVER LOSES SIGHT OF THE BASICS OF BEING A LEADER AND THE NEED TO HELP THOSE ON HER TEAM.

When Navistar adopted the TRATON GROUP Values, Wendy was one of the first to reinforce how these values--customer first, respect, responsibility, team spirit, and elimination of waste--are just different ways of describing the behaviors her team already exhibits.

Wendy prides herself on reminding her staff to respect why we do things, not just how, and to take responsibility for understanding our processes. She also encourages participation in meetings, including those with outside counsel, consultants, and developers, allowing many to have a voice in implementing improvements.

Amy Lester VP, Quality, Navistar

Wendy Mitckes Tax Manager, Navistar

Published for:

Women In Trucking Association

P.O. Box 656

Merrifield, VA 22116 USA

Phone: 1-888-464-9482

www.WomenInTrucking.org

Published by:

MindShare Strategies, Inc. P.O. Box 3555

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004

Billing Address:

MindShare Strategies, Inc., P.O. Box 843 Springfield, TN 37172

Group Editorial Director and Publisher:

Brian Everett, ABC 952-442-8850 x201 brian@WomenInTrucking.org

Production Manager: Cassidy Mullins 952-442-8850 x215 cassidy@WomenInTrucking.org

Editorial Content This Edition:

Courtney Bloom

Faith Boone

Brian Everett

Carleen Herndon

Conrad Winter

Advertising Sales: Carleen Herndon 1-888-464-9482

carleen@WomenInTrucking.org

Design/Production Managers:

Todd Pernsteiner 952-841-1111 todd@pernsteiner.com

Amy Pinkston amy@pernsteiner.com

Accounting/Administration/

Karen Everett 952-442-8850 x203 karen@WomenInTrucking.org

Riding Along...

Jennifer Hedrick, CAE President & CEO

A first piece of advice WIT’s founder Ellen Voie and several of our members gave me when I began my role as President and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association in January 2023 was to join a driver for a ride along.

Ride-alongs have long been a way for WIT to showcase the best of our world. Through ride-alongs, WIT drivers, and primarily members of the WIT Image Team, have hosted members of Congress, federal administrators, national and industry media, industry friends and others to provide the first-hand vantage point of what drivers experience hour-by-hour on the road. Ridealongs shape perspectives that ultimately form national, state and local policy, give the public an understanding of the lives

of a truck driver on the road, and help our industry develop better practices all around. This past fall, I was fortunate to join Carmen Anderson of America’s Service Line on one of her regular routes—from Green Bay to the Baltimore/Washington area—for my first ride-along.

Carmen was incredibly generous with her time throughout the journey, not only ensuring that I understood what it took to move her scheduled load to its end points, but adding perspective and a bit of extra time so I could fully appreciate what 48 hours over the road was like.

We talked a lot. I took many notes, both during our time driving, and in the evenings as she slept in the truck and I stayed just yards away in a motel. But mostly, I watched the road as she did, attempting to understand her vantage point as I gained a new perspective of life on the road.

It’s tough to summarize that trip in just a few words, but I’ll try to share a few lessons learned that I have been thinking about over the past few months.

Drivers keep us safe on the road. The view from a truck cab is spectacular and commanding. One of my first observations was that Carmen was constantly scanning across multiple lanes of traffic, and this proved advantageous as we looped around Chicago and the DC Beltway, especially. She saw yards ahead of what anyone in a car could see, responding strategically to erratic drivers, road hazards and other challenges. Cars then followed her leadership. There is family on the road. Carmen travels with her pups Rodney and Otis, who truly have as much fun on the road as she does. I loved traveling with them and saw the companionship they provided each other. And, I liked the love and kisses the dogs gave me, too. Who wouldn’t? Carmen also

has a strong community of drivers that she connects with on her travels, speaking often about traffic ahead or simply catching up on their day-to-day lives as friends do. Stops at truck stops also provided glimpses into the broader community.

There is challenge on the road. Construction, weather, lack of parking, breakdowns, accidents, and hours of service rules create significant restrictions for drivers. We were fortunate that we “only” had to navigate construction and parking challenges, but it was eye-opening to understand the number of decisions that drivers make to remain safe, in compliance and ensure the load is delivered on time.

With such generosity, Carmen, Otis, Rodney and the ASL team have given me an understanding of life on the road that I hadn’t had before. That perspective adds to what we continue to build for our members, and especially drivers who seek to join the industry and the WIT community.

I’m excited for more ride-alongs ahead and, as always, encourage you to connect with us as you navigate your own journey.

Carmen Anderson and her two dogs, Rodney and Otis, regularly travel from Green Bay to the Baltimore/ Washington area.

Empowerment in Progress

Brian Everett, Publisher and Editorial Director Redefining the Road magazine

In mid-February, the association’s board of directors and staff met in Dallas to discuss the future of the organization. Part of that process was to review the progress made in 2023 – and I cannot emphasize how impressed I was to see all the progress made by WIT.

The association has recently published this year’s Women in Trucking Annual Report, which outlines the many outstanding achievements made last year. In support of WIT’s mission to encourage the employment of women, minimize obstacles, and promote accomplishments, here are some of the highlights:

• WIT hosted its two signature events, Salute to Women Behind the Wheel and Accelerate! Conference & Expo – both tremendous opportunities to gather, celebrate, and learn with and from our community.

During the Salute, WIT gave away a truck to Angelique Temple of Tornado Enterprises and honored Mary “Candy” Bass as 2023 Driver of the Year. With six million safe miles, Candy’s dedication to safety and the growth of female drivers make her a legend in trucking.

WITney® Educational Trailer traveled more miles in 2023 than in any previous year and educated many young students, Girl Scouts, community groups, and college students on career opportunities in the trucking industry.

WIT hosted many webinars in 2023 and covered a wide range of topics such as advice for women pursuing a professional driving career, health and wellness practices, how to avoid cyber risks, use of mobile technology on the road, and advice on how women can effectively navigate career opportunities in transportation.

• In May 2023 we published our WIT Index, which is the industry barometer to benchmark and measure the percentage of women who make up critical roles in transportation. We continue to see progress being made in the number of female drivers who hold CDLs, women serving in the C-suite, growth of careers in operations and technicians, along with commitment to gender diversity within their companies.

• We honored 300-plus leaders in transportation throughout the year through several programs, including: Top Women to Watch in Transportation; WIT Member of the Month Program; Top Woman-Owned Businesses in Transportation; the Influential Woman in Trucking; the Distinguished Woman in Logistics; Driver of the Year; and Top Companies for Women to Work For in Transportation.

• And, finally, we honored and celebrated the retirement of two of WIT’s foundational leaders since the inception of WIT in 2007, Membership Director Char Pingel and Founder Ellen Voie. The grit and vision of these two champions toward creating a better world for women in trucking are the key reason for the growth and opportunities that exist today for this organization, and women across the industry.

Part of the reason the Redefining the Road magazine exists is to keep the Women In Trucking community updated on progress and developments of the association, along with critical issues and best practices in the transportation industry. If you have a moment, download the 2023 Annual Report at WomenInTrucking.org and check out all the incredible progress made last year by your organization. I’m confident you’ll be as amazed as I am!

Being Authentically You at Work

EMPOWERMENT COMES WITH AUTHENTICITY

Even if you prefer to keep your work and personal lives separate, it’s important to be your authentic self at work. While you may want to slightly adjust the way you think, interact and behave in the professional setting, being authentic enables you to share your true personality with your colleagues, partners and customers – which ultimately can help you to build stronger, more meaningful relationships.

Why Is Being Authentic Important?

Being your authentic self professionally and personally means your personality at work and at home are similar, if not identical. While some aspects of an individual’s personality may not be as appropriate to demonstrate in a work setting, being your authentic self at work may help you become more comfortable and contribute to a happier and healthier work environment.

Being authentically you at work can be very beneficial to your mental health and professional growth opportunities. It allows you to be open and more effectively build trust with others, which oftentimes can help you to develop a stronger professional network and gain an advantage in promotion selection. Also, sharing your authentic personality and personal experiences may encourage your coworkers to act more authentically as well.

Ways to Be Authentic at Work

If you’re hoping to be more authentic at work, consider this list of ways you can display your personality in the workplace:

Listen to others. While being yourself at work can mean focusing on your own forms of self-expression, it’s also important to listen to others in order to build relationships. Listening also helps your coworkers express themselves authentically. To demonstrate to your coworker that you’re listening to them, consider asking them questions or reacting nonverbally to their stories with an action such as nodding your head or maintaining consistent eye contact.

your experiences, consider the timing of your story and whether it’s helpful to share it at that moment.

“While we all ‘perform’ to a certain extent every day at work, I challenge myself every day to stay true to who I am and how I move through the world,” says

Eileen

Dabrowski, Director

Eileen Dabrowski

Shelley Simpson, President of J.B. Hunt Transport Services who was named by Women In Trucking (WIT) as the 2023 Influential Woman in Trucking, suggests that authenticity is the most attractive leadership quality – and clearly she lives this belief daily. “People want a leader that goes through the same thing that they do,” she notes. Simpson clearly does this by regularly listening to, learning from, and connecting with nearly 40,000 employees who are in her workforce.

Kary Schaefer

“Being your authentic self is crucial in order to create a culture of trust and respect in the workplace where everyone feels that they are heard and they are valued,” says Kary Schaefer, Chief Engineer – Product Engineering with Daimler Truck North America and current Chair of WIT’s Board of Directors. “For me, this means being open and vulnerable in my interactions with others. It means practicing empathetic listening, leaving space for others to contribute and knowing my own strengths and weaknesses.”

Share your experiences. When appropriate, consider sharing your experiences, both personally and professionally. This may help others relate to you or establish your expertise in a certain topic. When sharing

of Learning, Development & Marketing for ReedTMS Logistics, a division of Werner Enterprises. “In various roles we assume daily, I might not share all the pieces of my identity, but I am still authentically me. If I find myself in a situation where I cannot be me, I challenge myself to adjust and pivot; not every opportunity is the right opportunity for me. I trust the people in my life to hold me accountable and pride myself on surrounding myself with humans who inspire me to be the best I can be in that moment.”

Build trust. As you establish relationships, you may start to trust your colleagues with more personal information. In order for others to reciprocate this trust, actively listen to their stories and build a relationship with them. Often, sharing your authentic personality with them can help them feel comfortable doing the same. This builds trust between you and your coworkers, which can foster a more positive work environment.

Be honest. Being your authentic self often requires being honest with others. It’s important to share stories about yourself

continued on page 10

Shelley Simpson

that are true and to share your honest, respectful opinion if an associate asks for it. Being honest also may include setting boundaries. For example, if a coworker asks you something personal that you do not feel comfortable answering, explain that you’re uncomfortable and politely decline to answer. Being honest yet also setting boundaries can help establish your true personality in your workplace.

my true self, the more people embraced me and my work, so the person everyone wanted me to be was the person I already was.”

“I spent earlier parts of my career trying to fit into the mold I thought people wanted me to be professionally, from covering my tattoos to being careful with my wording,” adds Jennifer Karpus-Romain, Executive Director of the Transportation Marketing & Sales Association (TMSA). “As I grew, I realized the more I was

Other ways to be authentic? Be proud of your professional accomplishments and the journey ahead of you, says Trina Norman, Operations Manager for UPS, who was named the Influential Woman in Trucking in 2022 by WIT. She offers additional suggestions: “Do what matters

most to you; see yourself with your own eyes and love yourself unconditionally. Don’t allow

obstacles to define you and your level of success. Increase your self-awareness - a key component of behaving and leading authentically is to understand what you care about most. Be deeply aware of your values, priorities, strengths, fears and growth opportunities. Be bold, be unstoppable – you are remarkable!”

See side story “Authentic Women Living their Best Professional Lives” on page 11, which identifies the 2024 Top Women to Watch in Transportation. Congratulations to these accomplished individuals. n

“Be deeply aware of your values, priorities, strengths, fears and growth opportunities. Be bold, be unstoppable – you are remarkable!”

– Trina Norman, UPS

DRIVE4TADEDICATED.COM

CELEBRATING WOMEN AT TA DEDICATED

APRIL TAYLOR

ASHLEIGH BRIDGMON

BECKY MATYCHUK

BRITTANI GUZZETTA

CAITLIN POWELL

CANDICE KREAGER

DAWN BROWN

DAWN DURIGAN

ERIN SCHURMAN

HANNAH KOURY

MAI YANG

MELISSA SUEDBECK

MIKKI CHADWICK

SHERI SLOVER

TERESA STEWART

TINA HAUS HARRISON

TINA WHEELER

YOLANDA THOMAS

JAIME OGLESBY

JANISE ANDERSON

JEANETTE MASIERS

KARA SENG

KATHI ALBERG

KELLY RUNCK

KIM RHOADES

KRISTINA RUMBAUT

LAURA HALE

LINDA LOR

Jennifer KarpusRomain

Trina Norman

2024 TOP WOMEN TO

Authentic Women Living their Best Professional Lives 2024 Top Women to Watch

Countless women in transportation are making great strides in their careers while positively impacting their companies. Each year, Redefining the Road magazine recognizes amazing individuals through this recognition program.

This year, hundreds of women were nominated by their peers through a rigorous process that enables nominators to provide rationale for the nomination, describe accomplishments the nominee has made in her career during the past 12-18 months, and give a detailed explanation as to ways in which the nominee exemplifies WIT’s mission.

Congratulations to these 75 individuals who have been named as a 2024 “Top Woman to Watch in Transportation.”

Jessica Bennett

Remarketing Sales Manager, Premier Truck Group

Built and oversees a team of 11 which primarily consists of females. Graduated from Premier Truck Group’s Accelerate management training program.

Heather Callahan

Director of Logistics, Daimler Truck North America

Implemented multiple digital solutions across logistics to help improve timing of parts to production. Instrumental in introducing Cleveland’s “Team Pink” employee group to the operations organization.

Brittany Cutler Business Development Manager, Crossroads Equipment Lease & Finance Consistently places in the top 10% of sales since being hired in April 2023. Advocate for other women by referring qualified candidates for employment.

Jennifer Biehn

VP, Human Resources, The Evans Network of Companies

Created the HR team for the Evans Network of Companies as well as the Years of Service Recognition Program and Employee Referral Bonus Program.

Hannah Bryan

Fleet Solutions Sales Manager, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Has been promoted twice in under three years. Consistently exceeds sales goals and is successfully managing a large and complex sales territory within her company.

Frances Craig-Watson Transportation Feeder Division Manager – South Florida, UPS

Serves on the Corporate Women in Operations Business Resource Group Committee as the Women in Operations BRG Co-Chair. Led an initiative to develop the Feeder Mentoring Program.

Katrina Cribbs Manager of National Accounts Customer Support, Old Dominion Freight Line

Orchestrated a seamless transition from manual to digital operations, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

Christina Davis

VP of Marketing & Business Relations, AMX

Created all company marketing content and initiatives from scratch. Hosted “Women and the Workplace” which helped fellow female coworkers learn more about strong female leaders in the industry.

Jenny DeArmond

Corporate Recruiter, Stoops Freightliner – Western Star

Focusing on developing a women’s resource group for Stoops Freightliner/Truck Country. Facilitated successful events with Junior Achievement of Central Indiana and Future Farmers of America.

continued on page 12

www.WomenInTrucking.org

COVER:

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to

Christina Denvit

Senior Director, Dedicated Contract Solutions (DCS) Operations, J.B. Hunt Transport

Led a recent effort to develop creative solutions resulting in increased asset utility, empty miles reduction, and cost reduction as part of a renewal plan for business.

Tonyah Dillahunt

PR & Marketing Communications Manager, Peterbilt Motors Company

Active member of Peterbilt Women’s Initiative (PBWIN) and Peterbilt BOLD-Black Organization for Leadership & Development. Serves on the board of the Women In Trucking Foundation.

Sydney Emrich Senior Manager, Customer Experience, J.B. Hunt Transport

Instrumental in growing her portfolio by 68% year-over-year. Selected to lead the Customer Experience team, where she is responsible for managing one of the company’s largest customers.

Tracy Derival

Marketing Assistant, Fleet Advantage

Responsible for a significant 22.27% growth in social media presence throughout the last 12 months. Honored with the 2023 Women in Supply Chain Award by Supply & Demand Chain Executive.

Tanika Dunlap

Software Development Manager, Southeastern Freight Lines

Abbi Failla

VP of Business Operations, EASE Logistics

Secured two bids with the Ohio Department of Transportation and Drive Ohio, which named her company the host-fleet partner for projects to deploy automated and connected trucking.

continued on page 15

Congratulations Khristy Vanzuiden

UPS congratulates Khristy Vanzuiden, Surface Network Planning Manager, for being named a “2024 Top Woman to Watch in Transportation” by WIT’s Redefining The Road. You inspire us all to do better each and every day!

TANIKA DUNLAP

Manager of Software Development

Southeastern Freight Lines

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Tanika for her efforts in keeping our digital journey safe and secure. Her leadership and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to our team! Congratulations!

Bridgestone congratulates Debra Hamlin, Megan Miller and Sam McCracken for being named 2024 Top Women to Watch in Transportation by WIT’s Redefining The Road

Debra Hamlin Director of Operations

Megan Miller Sr. Manager Commercial Sales Channel Development

Sam McCracken Strategic Operations Manager

Rosa Gamboa Business Development Manager

Brittany Cutler Business Development Manager

continued from page 12

Angela Fish

Executive VP, Human Resources, Schneider

First woman in the company’s history to hold the role of Executive Vice President of Human Resources. Incorporated mandatory diversity and inclusion competency components in the talent management processes.

Rosa Gamboa Business Development Manager, Crossroads Equipment Lease & Finance

Recognized as a Top Performer in 2022 and continues to be a leader in delivering a positive customer experience. Active voice in changing the perception that trucking is a male-dominated industry.

Armida Gonzalez

Assistant Plant Manager, Peterbilt Motors Company

Successfully developed a plan to build service cabs for her company’s Model 389 vehicle at another location. Serves on the PACCAR Women’s Association as a member of the governance committee.

Angel Grable

Tena Fisher

Service Center Manager, XPO Service center won the prestigious 200,000 Hours of Injury-Free award and Q3 Operational Excellence award. Won the Rookie of the Year Leadership award and has increased retention of dockworkers.

Melissa Forman

President, Executive VP, TriumphPay

Dedicated to advancing financial solutions in the transportation industry. Roles of women at the vice president level or higher have grown to 24% as well as women representing 40% of all employees.

Melanie Franklin

Group Director, Sales, Ryder System, Inc.

Has consciously built and mentored some of the most diverse teams at her company. Leads the inside business development team through new business pursuit strategies.

Lauren Gassmann Operations Manager, Booster

Transitioned through three leadership roles in 18 months. In 2023, achieved a significant increase of 60-80% in all KPIs and drove gross profit to improve by more than 100%.

Vanessa Gauci

Sr. Transportation Efficiency Manager, Frito-Lay North America

Instrumental in increasing driver headcount by 15% for her region while maintaining 8% turnover. In January 2023, led efforts to launch a company-wide human trafficking awareness campaign.

Manager of Business Operations Learning, Werner Enterprises

Worked with leadership to integrate Volunteer Time Off into the company’s culture. Serves on the steering committee of Blue Brigade, Werner’s associate volunteer resource group.

Mandy Graham

Chief Operating Officer, Great West Casualty Company

Obtained substantial growth goals and company-wide success in 2023. Implemented national accounts team to better serve large fleets and service center to better serve smaller fleets.

continued on page 17

Paula Frey

Chief Human Resources Officer, Echo Global Logistics

Winner of Food Logistics’ and Supply and Demand Chain Executive’s 2023 Women in Supply Chain award. Encourages new and diverse perspectives in all areas of the industry.

Lori Fulmer

VP, Enterprise Human Resources, Covenant Logistics

A senior advisor in the Women of Covenant group. Developed HR 101 Training Quarterly for Leaders of People. Rolled out the company’s first mentor-mentee initiative.

www.WomenInTrucking.org

continued from page 15

Jodanna Hall

Sr. Director Customer Logistics Transportation Management, Ryder System, Inc.

Drastically reduced costs by streamlining operations and engaging automation, process standardization, and other efficiency gains. This resulted in ongoing annual savings of $1.5M for her company.

Gwen Hill

SVP of Transportation & Compliance, Clean Harbors Managed 1400 total employees across the U.S. east region with total gross revenue in excess of $560 million. Successfully developed and executed onboarding and training with team for new field service branch managers.

Selin Hoboy

VP – EHS & Compliance, GFL Environmental Cornerstone EHS&C programs have been created or significantly advanced under her leadership. Recruited a recognized female industry expert to her company’s compliance organization.

continued on page 18

Debra Hamlin

Director of Operations, Bridgestone Commercial Dealer Network, Bridgestone Americas

Created and hosted “Wisdom Workshops” to educate commercial dealers, fleets, and teammates on sustainability practices. Key stakeholder in her company’s partnership with Truckers Against Trafficking.

Abby Hamm

VP, Sales, Covenant Logistics

Has received two promotions within two years and built a $100 million book of business organically. Built a top five customer for the enterprise.

Lynne Hansen

National Accounts Sales Executive, PLM Fleet

Recently achieved the exceptional sales goal of winning more than $100,000,000 in new business. Championed a Six Sigma project with Navajo Express to help employ measures to reduce costs and increase productivity.

Lauren Harper

Sr. Strategist for Business Operations, Kodiak Robotics

Played a pivotal role in crafting a winning proposal for a $50 million contract to develop a prototype autonomous ground vehicle for the U.S. Army. Organized and orchestrated the Association of the United States Army conference.

COVER: Top Women to Watch

continued from page 17

Shannon Jedlicka

Recruiting & Compliance, ADM Trucking

Started co-op with local high schools to receive credit while learning and gaining experience with her company. Manages Driver Appreciation Committee ensuring that drivers are celebrated for their contributions to the organization.

Congratulations Frances J. Craig-Watson

Megan Knight

Director of Product Marketing, PACCAR Parts

Led teams to record achievements across different functional areas of the business, including product marketing, retail marketing and supply chain. Team has achieved enhanced data analytics, launching more than 30 programs in 18 months.

UPS congratulates Frances J. Craig-Watson, Transportation Feeder Division Manager, for being named a “2024 Top Woman to Watch in Transportation” by WIT’s Redefining The Road. You inspire us all to do better each and every day!

Hannah Koury

Sr. Customer Success Manager, TA Dedicated

Recently promoted to Sr Customer Success Manager of National Accounts and named the Vice Chair of her company’s first DE&I program.

Amy Lester

VP, Quality, Navistar Instrumental in overseeing quality aspects of the production of the International S13 Integrated Powertrain at her company’s plant in Escobedo, Mexico. Involved with the Navistar Quality Awards.

ups.com

Monica Maez

Sr. Project Manager, Standard Logistics

Developed a recruiting app and a driver app for the organization. Led the rebranding and communication strategy and fuel negotiations with vendors to generate multiple savings.

Sylvia Mahfouz

Director of Recruiting, TCI Transportation

Spearheaded the biggest new account startup in her company’s history overseeing the onboarding of more than 100 employees in a single month across 10 different locations in 5 different states.

Sue Maier

VP of Sales Systems and Analytics, Penske Truck Leasing

Has built a robust new support organization from the ground up. Since 2017, the sales team has maintained a relatively flat individual sales contributor headcount while annual sales have more than doubled.

Christina Mannella

Sr. Director – West Transportation Command Center, Walmart

Developed and implemented a plan to improve the speed and efficiency with which her company’s private fleet was able to pick up from suppliers and deliver to distribution and fulfillment centers and improved the network’s delivery by 10%.

Samantha McCracken

Strategic Operations Manager, Bridgestone Americas

Advances her company’s key initiatives to ensure success for her customers and for the company. Continues to support the acceleration of the partnership with WIT and empowers other women within the organization to be successful.

Leah Miller

Director, Culture & Communication, Trimac

Championed transformative initiatives demonstrating a commitment to a positive corporate culture. Introduced “Trimac for Good,” her company’s charitable donation and volunteer management program.

Megan Miller

Kelley Martin

Director, Pricing Strategy, Daimler Truck North America

Served as the National Chair of the Women’s Interactive Network (WIN). Led the re-branding and set the future strategy of WIN and successfully expanded the WIN leadership to include additional locations across the organization.

Kris McLennan

VP of Yield Management, A. Duie Pyle

The first and currently only female executive to be named Vice President. Since being promoted to Vice President, her department’s book of business grew from $343 million to $575 million.

Director of Commercial Sales Channel Development, Bridgestone Americas

Successfully worked with her team to scale and deploy mobility solutions to numerous fleet customers through her company’s internal and external sales departments. Led team to produce the right products and resources to meet the customer’s demands.

continued on page 21

CONGRATULATES MEGAN KNIGHT

Director of Product Marketing, PACCAR Parts

Recently named a “2024 Top Woman to Watch in Transportation” by WIT’s Redefining The Road.

Congratulations,

Andrea and Angela

2024 Top Women to Watch in Transportation

Andrea Sequin, Director of Regulatory Services and Driver Training at Schneider, is known for her unwavering commitment to safety. Her leadership has been pivotal in reinforcing Schneider’s strong adherence to safety and compliance standards, establishing the company as an industry pioneer.

Angela Fish, Schneider’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources, leads the development and execution of human capital strategies that support the company’s business goals. Her strategic vision and commitment to inclusivity and belonging have played a pivotal role in Schneider’s strong culture.

She stands as a shining example of female leadership in the transportation sector, demonstrating the potential for women to excel and make significant impacts in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Beyond her primary responsibilities, Angela is the Executive Sponsor of the Schneider’s Young Professionals Business Resource Group, promoting the development and retention of young talent across the company.

continued from page 19

Sarmona Miller Director of Revenue Management, Saia LTL Freight

Active member of the initial DE&I counsel and has continued to serve and provide insight as the company builds its strategies and employee resource groups. Served as a panelist for her company’s women’s group.

Alyssa Myers

VP Technology, RXO

Helped implement a multitude of improvements in RXO Connect – a platform that connects shippers to a network of more than 100,000 carriers. Led the launch of her company’s app that helps carriers find freight.

Nicole Neumann

VP, Human Resources, XPO

Mentor in her company’s RISE program aimed at elevating women leaders and equipping them with the skills needed for career advancement. Positive impact on the development of new over-the-road operation “Road Flex.”

Wendy Mitckes

Tax Manager, Navistar

Successfully led the State Tax Function revamp resulting in near-term savings of $50,000-$75,000 and prospective annual savings of $15,000-$30,000 plus significant resource time savings and the creation of a new process that reduced business unit time.

Jill Nash

VP – National Accounts & Brokers, GFL Environmental

Set record revenue capture rates, developed and executed highly effective pricing strategies, and improved retention rates. Worked with U.S. and Canada teams to standardize customer agreements cultivating true growth focused partnerships.

Cari Olive

People Operations/Human Resources, Armstrong Transport Group

Responsible for a substantial 75% workforce increase and 46 internal promotions. Honored by Charlotte Business Journal as a finalist for the Best in HR Awards.

continued on page 24

Congratulations Lisa Rodriguez

Air Products congratulates Lisa Rodriguez, Talent Acquisition Supervisor, for being named a “2024 Top Woman to Watch in Transportation” by WIT’s Redefining The Road. You inspire us all to do better each and every day!

www.WomenInTrucking.org

DRIVING THE

PACCAR CONGRATULATES THE TOP WOMEN TO WATCH IN TRANSPORTATION

Tonyah Dillahunt PETERBILT

Armida Gonzales PETERBILT

Megan Knight PACCAR PARTS

PACCAR divisions who contributed to the 2024 Top Women to Watch recognition.

THE FUTURE

PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of premium light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. PACCAR also designs and manufactures advanced diesel engines, provides financial services, information technology, and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.

The PACCAR Women’s Association promotes diversity, inclusion and belonging by empowering PACCAR women to achieve career success through mentoring, advocacy and networking.

PACCAR congratulates Women In Trucking’s 2024 Top Women to Watch in Transportation. We thank the honorees for their impressive contributions to the trucking industry.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PACCAR, VISIT US AT PACCAR.COM

COVER: Top Women to Watch

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Kaitlyn Olsen

Director of Human Resources, Christensen

Implemented a series of transformative policies and initiatives that underscore her commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and supportive work environment. Involved in launching the first CDL program at Connell HS.

Jessica Ramirez

VP of Human Resources, Velocity Vehicle Group

Started the WIN Program (Win In Networking) at her company. Won the CSFU DEI award. Consistently surpasses performance targets and goals set by her organization.

Beverly Ringstaff

VP of Brand & Design, Conversion Interactive Agency Named Manager of the Year in December 2022. Ranks in the top three across the entire organization, highlighting her commitment to continued growth in her role.

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Ann Peng Patent Agent, Plus

Leads patent committee streamlining the patent filing process, encouraging employees to come up with new ideas and inventions, providing training and support for those who are new to the process, and helping to foster a culture of innovation and creativity.

Caitlin Powell

Director of Communications & Marketing, TA Dedicated Executive Sponsor of company’s very first DE&I committee. Also supports entire Specialized Truckload Division at TFI International as well as Logistics/Final Mile Division.

Sarah Quick

Associate VP, Safety & Compliance, USA, Day & Ross Revamped driver safety onboarding and introduced a 10 Point Assessment to enhance competency and identify training opportunities. Safety team has increased in-person interactions and has become true partners for departments across the company.

Cassie Quien

Director of Business Development, FreightVana Logistics

Won company’s first ever provider award. Won an outsize share of company’s new customer logos, volume growth, margin growth and trailer placements for its power only product.

OD’s Katrina Cribbs, Manager National Account Customer Support, has been named a Top Woman to Watch by Women In Trucking. Her outstanding contributions as a mentor, strategic thinker, and community advocate truly set her apart as a leader in the industry. Her commitment to OD’s Values, PROMISES and dedication to the growth of others through servant leadership, make her a shining example of the OD Family Spirit.

Congratulations

Heather Callahan

Daimler Truck congratulates Heather Callahan, Director of Logistics, for being named a “2024 Top Woman to Watch in Transportation” by WIT’s Redefining The Road. You inspire us all to do better each and every day!

COVER: Top Women to Watch

continued from page 24

Michelle Roberts

Lead CDL Instructor, FleetForce Truck Driver Training Has been promoted to a lead instructor role in only 14 months. Encourages employment by recruiting and training the next generation of professional drivers.

Lissette (Lisa) Rodriguez

Talent Acquisition Supervisor, Air Products

In-sourced dedicated driver hiring team from 3rd Party RPO. Increased NET internal AP Driver pool by 15%. Translated into more than $2.5 million annual cost savings.

daimlertrucknorthamerica.com

Congratulations to Alexandria Uribe, Senior Director of Total Talent Management

Martha Ross

Account Resolution Team Leader, Volvo Financial Services

Recognized by her company as an outstanding 2023 Servant Leader. Team regularly shows excellence by achieving less than 1.0% delinquency in a $3.2B portfolio.

Suzanne Scalone

Director of Fleet Operations, Performance Food Group Team developed a new vehicle database and a high-level equipment utilization review process to identify spare equipment. Led rolling out of a nationwide toll management program with a national tolling vendor.

Recently named a 2024 Top Woman to Watch in Transportation.

Mary Schreiber

Benefits & Payroll Manager, Tri-National, Inc.

Oversees and coordinates weekly payroll for more than 1,600 employees, handles 401(k) deferrals and matching, and spearheads initiatives to streamline processes and improve accessibility for drivers.

Andrea Sequin

Director, Regulatory Services & Driver Training, Schneider

Led the trial deployment of the “lifesaving technology” developed through the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) Program. Led the implementation of her company’s CDL training program this past year.

Heather Shirazi McAfee

Engineering & Strategic Analytics Manager, Saia LTL Freight

Refined the methodology for her company’s growth and evolved its forecasting methodology. The finance department has now aligned their processes to leverage the same logic she developed.

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Melanie

COVER: Top Women to Watch

continued from page 26

Cindi Smith

Operations Specialist, Candor Expedite

Achieved the highest profit margin in the company during her first quarter on the multi-modal team. First female participant in the Thrive program, the company’s Annual Learning and Development program.

Alexandria Uribe

Sr. Director, Total Talent Management, WM

Built the foundation for a culture of career development through a campaign called “Let’s Grow Together” which encourages employees to “sit in the driver’s seat of their career” by owning their career development.

Natalie Williams

VP of Client Operations, Ancora Training

Has played a key role in developing customized CDL training programs. Spearheaded the growth of her company’s CDL training partnership with a multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation.

Jaimie Wilson

Pamela Stine

District Manager, Waste Connections

Became the first female district manager in the company’s Eastern Region and was part of the hiring team that brought on the site’s very first female driver.

Abby Szafranski

Head of Product Management, Fleet, Irdeto Global Lead for Culture, Diversity, and Sustainability Ambassador. Strategic insights were instrumental in securing a significant deal within the China market.

Raquel Urtasun

Founder & CEO, Waabi Named to the Order of Ontario, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Emerging Tech CEO Award, TIME100 Most Influential People in AI, and Business Insider’s AI 100 list of Top People in AI.

Khristine Vanzuiden

Surface Network Planning Manager, UPS

Took the lead on planning and implementing the closing of three operations that improved the network operating plan and reduced an estimated $15 million dollars for her company annually.

Learning & Development Manager, Atlantic Logistics

Partnered with senior operations team to conceive, develop, and write company’s full training curriculum. Volunteers with ReThreaded, an area non-profit dedicated to helping survivors of human trafficking. n

2024 TOP WOMEN TO

Becoming a Standout Leader

Leaders Create Leaders

It takes a dedicated leader and bold leaps of faith to lead a team through challenges and unknown circumstances. The core values instilled at Schneider, the major North American transportation and logistics provider, have carried the company through decades of accomplishments.

Schneider Chief Commercial Officer and Group Senior Vice President and General Manager of Logistics, Erin Van Zeeland,

says former father/son leaders Al and Don Schneider had very clear visions for the drive and purpose behind their business.

Van Zeeland says the question at the top of mind is, “How do we make sure that we are intimately close in understanding what our customers need and ensuring that we’re building capability to create real value for them?” For Schneider, it begins with identifying leaders in their team, and lifting them up to reach their true potential.

Building a Team of Leaders

Van Zeeland says emotional intelligence, effective communication, learning from failure, diversity, work-life balance, time management, decision-making, and change management are all areas that a leader needs to master to be successful.

“Whenever you’re building a team, I think the leader matters a lot,” says Van Zeeland. “And so the work that I go through is to just kind of discover me, build on me and my

“We significantly invest in the people side of change and it has been a huge accelerant for us overall.”

How

Erin Van Zeeland, Schneider’s Chief Commercial Officer and Group Senior Vice President and General Manager of Logistics

capabilities so that I can be more effective as a communicator and leading our team toward a new normal.” She says when an individual is identified as a potential leader, Schneider does its due diligence to understand more about the person and what they bring to the table so they can be set up for success.

“For those who are able to turn into our higher-level roles, we get really aligned around who is that person, what do they bring, how are they currently performing in their own role,” Van Zeeland says. “How do we make sure that they get a lot of opportunities in that role, projects, and/or with the scope of the role, to continue to get reps in things that are going to be important? But then how are we lining that person up for the next capability so that they’re ready for it.”

Mentors Make a Difference

She says Schneider’s mentorship program is a key component in making sure an employee’s needs and strengths are being recognized and met. The company is very purposeful in crafting mentoring relationships to help employees continue to develop their skills.

THANK YOU!

“We invest a lot in this space so that we can be recognizing that our most important asset is our people and that we’re very planful around what we are positioning them for so that we can build an organization that lasts forever,” Van Zeeland says.

Van Zeeland reflects on her own mentorship experience with former Schneider CEO Chris Lofgren. He would challenge her on such critical issues as how she was determining what work to prioritize, how she would interact with others, and how she felt about her accomplishments when leaving the building.

Though Van Zeeland shared with Lofgren that her work is enjoyable, he let her know that things needed to change for her to get to the next level. With his guidance, Van Zeeland was able to take a hyper-focused look at immediate issues she could tackle and transition to a mindset of looking at the bigger picture. As her mentor, Lofgren’s goal to help Van Zeeland move forward in her leadership capacity started with pushing her into a different direction that would open her up to more opportunities.

How to Identify the Leaders

An in-depth studyof data gathered from different hires at Schneider reveals interesting results around the people who were making it to 13 months of employment, Van Zeeland says. She says pinpointing the leaders who can get their team members to that milestone has been eye opening.

“Your job is not to show them what they’re not doing well, but to show them what they are doing well and give them the capability and talent around them to do it … that they have direct ownership in terms of their style and capability and connectedness in order to grow that success,” she says.

Speak Up to Stand Out

Van Zeeland says it’s important for leaders to always look at what can be done, what can change, and what can be better. See where your team is aligned, and also take a closer look at where the team is not aligned, she recommends. A good leader can point out when and where to make capacity for something more important.

“We significantly invest in the people side of change and it has been a huge accelerant for us overall,” she says. n

Schneider’s Roadmap for Building Standout Teams

NO TRUCK PARKING: A National Safety Concern

It’s increasingly common to see 18-wheelers parked on highway offramps, side streets, and the shoulder of rest areas. It’s a symptom of a major problem facing shippers, their over-the-road transportation providers, and the public at-large.

A chronic, nationwide shortage of truck parking is forcing America’s professional truck drivers into an untenable position— either violate federal hours-of-service regulations that mandate rest breaks at specific times, or park in unsafe and unauthorized locations.

Approximately 98% of truck drivers regularly experience this fraught scenario—a problem that grows more pervasive as cities across the country prohibit trucks from parking within city limits. This problem poses even more significant safety issues for women drivers on the road.

“The parking shortage isn’t just an inconvenience for truckers and a strain on supply chains. It is a serious safety hazard for the entire motoring public,” says Jennifer Hedrick, President & CEO of WIT. And it’s

Dan Murray

a point that leading law enforcement organizations across the nation are now sounding the alarm over.

According to the 19th annual Top Industry Issues list by American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the lack of truck parking is the second top concern. Across all respondents, the economy was selected as the top industry concern in 2023, Daniel Murray, Senior Vice President for ATRI tells Redefining the Road magazine.” The lack of available truck parking rose one spot this year to the second-ranked issue, followed by fuel prices. The driver shortage dropped two spots this year to rank fourth overall and driver compensation continued as a top-five industry concern.”

The lack of safe parking options consistently already ranks among the top challenges facing drivers today. That’s particularly true for women, an underrepresented demographic in this industry, who cite the lack of safe parking as a major barrier to more joining the trucking workforce. A recent ATRI study found drivers on average sacrifice 56 minutes of drive time every day to secure parking, amounting to a $5,600 annual pay cut.

“I know that truck parking is an issue that most Americans probably don’t think about every day—but it’s a vitally important one, and that’s because it’s a life and death issue,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He has made funding truck parking projects a priority of his department, pledging discretionary grant funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to states that need and apply for it.

WIT has published a whitepaper on this topic. Download it for free at WomenInTrucking.org, and click “Whitepapers” under the Resources section on the navigational bar of the website. n

Approximately 98% of truck drivers regularly experience this fraught scenario—a problem that grows more pervasive as cities across the country prohibit trucks from parking within city limits.

TRUCK PARKING ANYTIME

Empowering women

on and off the road

See why Schneider has been recognized as a Top Company for Women to Work for in Transportation for five straight years:

› Same pay and opportunities as male counterparts.

› 24/7 driver support and comfortable training conditions, including separate sleeping arrangements when same-gender training isn’t possible.

› Superior home time options that suit your lifestyle.

› Strong female representation across the company – women make up more than 12% of drivers and 40% of leadership roles.

› Health care, 401(k) with company match, paid time off and more.

› Career development resources like the Schneider Women’s Network.

www.WomenInTrucking.org

A NEW

Safety Mindset

MARKS THE ROAD AHEAD

WHILE NOT A NEW CONCERN IN TRANSPORTATION, SAFETY TOUCHES TWO VERY HOT BUTTONS TODAY: DRIVER TURNOVER AND HIGH INSURANCE RATES, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS ON THE “SAFETY MATTERS” PANEL AT THE RECENT WOMEN IN TRUCKING (WIT) ACCELERATE! CONFERENCE IN DALLAS.

Safety is a key component to a successful retention strategy during today’s driver shortage, according to Marcia Faschingbauer, President and CEO of Excargo Services, a logistics company that provides intermodal, drayage, transloading and warehousing solutions to major

importers and exporters. “Our drivers are hanging with us because of our culture, because they know we’ll fight for them and that we provide the best environment—and safest environment—that they can find,” she says.

Northland Insurance Company looks at carriers’ introductory safety program for drivers, ongoing safety messages and corrective action training in evaluating safety risks, according to Bob Bringgold, Director of Transportation Risk Control.

“Organizations without robust safety programs pay a lot more.” he says.

Faschingbauer and Bringgold agree safety messages to drivers need to be consistent, constantly reinforced and presented in a variety of ways—from video and printed materials to in-person discussions.

Marcia Faschingbauer

Bob Bringgold

National Carriers, a motor carrier providing refrigerated and logistics services in the 48 contiguous states, coaches drivers in the moment through a dash cam program, according to Jill Maschmeier, Director of Safety & Compliance. She says it automatically tells drivers when they’re too close to vehicles or when they need to slow down.

“Video is a perfect tool for providing feedback after incidents like harsh braking events,” Bringgold says. He adds that AI now is being used by carriers to comb through video to find coachable moments.

Predictive maintenance technology also is helping to improve safety, Faschingbauer says: “Anything that makes the driver stop and get on the side of the road is a safety hazard.”

Digital keys are another technology that supports driver safety by limiting exposure. Abby Szafranski, Director and Head of Product Management at cybersecurity company Irdeto explains that the ability to use mobile phones to control locks enables drivers to enter and exit vehicles quickly on roadsides, in busy parking lots or other potentially vulnerable situations. Efforts to create safer conditions have expanded to the technology of roads themselves. A freight signal optimization

project administered by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) adjusts traffic signals for truckers. According to Morgan Tavallaee, Transportation Planner at NCTCOG, the system gives truck drivers more time to get through a stoplight, so they don’t have to brake quickly or run a red light.

Carriers are expanding the scope of their safety focus as well. Excargo and National both actively reach out to drivers of

passenger cars involved in accidents with their drivers to offer support. Coupled with driver-centric programs that include offering concerted care to drivers involved in crashes, Faschingbauer says Excargo is creating a safety culture with measurable benefits.

Faschingbauer sees the results in the KPIs that she values, including excellent driver retention rates and safety numbers with the FMCSA that she says continue to improve. n

Abby Szafranski

Studies show that within three seconds people make many decisions or assumptions about one’s character. Within three seconds, one would be greeted with Jodi Edwards’ big smile and decide that she has a big personality interlaced with a passionate, giving, and caring spirit. Also, within those three seconds, one would see that when she speaks, people listen; that she is direct and honest and wickedly funny; and that she is both an expert at and loves her job.

Jodi is passionate about being a truck driver, a career she has had for the past 33 years. She believes in giving back to her fellow drivers and in being an advocate to women entering the industry. She cares about the company in which she has been employed (J.B. Hunt Transport Services) for the past 25 years. She is a highly regarded Women In Trucking Image Team member and a 2Million Mile, Collision-Free, Safe Driver, an accomplishment she attained on January 5th of this year.

Becoming a truck driver happened very organically for Jodi and it’s a decision she has never regretted. She reminisces about how she found her path: “I decided when I was 21 or 22 that I wanted to move to California. I spent three months there and I hated it, so I moved back to Pennsylvania. The best part was driving out west and driving back home. I loved seeing the country,” she explains. Soon after returning home, she went to the local library (there was no such thing as the Internet then) to research jobs that involved travel. “I love this country and I wanted to see it. I found a children’s book about becoming a truck driver, and in the book there were little post-a-note advertisements about truck driving schools. I ended up going to a school in Harrisburg that advertised in the book,” she adds. She knew she had found her passion the first time she climbed into the truck and sat in it. “I could feel the excitement. I know it sounds silly, but you get in that truck, everything

She knew she had found her passion the first time she climbed into the truck.

is set right, and it becomes a part of you. I know it’s a big truck, and I hadn’t even driven a stick shift before, but it’s an extension of me,” she says.

Shortly after Jodi earned her CDL, she was hired by J.B. Hunt as an over-the-road driver. Within two years, she had visited all 48 contiguous states and Canada, accomplishing her goal to see the country and more. Since then, she has added Alaska and Hawaii to the list, but not in a semi, of course. Within six months she was asked to be a driver trainer, as J.B. Hunt needed

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female trainers. “Some women don’t want a man to train them. I get it. It can be uncomfortable for some people. I was glad to do it. I was good at my job and a safe driver. I love training. I love teaching,” she says with pride.

Her stint with J.B. Hunt came to an end when, at five months pregnant with her second child, she decided she didn’t want to drive over-the-road anymore. It was a sad day for her, as she left the company and a job she loved. She gave birth to her son and stayed busy raising her boys, James and Zack. Six months later, the tractor-trailer was calling her name. She went to work for a company that offered local routes. One day, she noticed J.B Hunt’s logo on day cabs at the rail yard and around her town. She was so excited to learn they had local positions, so she applied for a job and she was hired as part of the intermodal division.

The rest, she says, is history. She was back home at the company she loved. She got to drive local routes, be home every night, and be the mom she wanted to be. “I didn’t miss anything. I went to all the baseball, basketball, football, wrestling, and volleyball games. We camped on the weekends. I got to spend time with my family, and I had a great job!”

Today Jodi continues in her role as a local diver for J.B. Hunt’s intermodal division in Bethlehem, PA, and she is grateful for the work-life balance her job provides. She is able to help care for her aging mother, and she has plenty of time to play with her two rescued fur babies, Kendall and Maddie. She also embraces her sense of adventure with her longtime boyfriend (and “partner in crime”) Nelson, with whom she loves to travel, trail ride on her ebike, and geo cache. “Nelson is the most supportive person I know, and I doubt that I would have had as much success these last 10 years without him,” she says. When asked to describe a typical day at her office behind the wheel, she responded with, “I haul anything that doesn’t glow or blow. I run from the rail yard, bob tail in, grab a container, hook and go. I’m moving 8-10 trailers per day.” Being a driver has affected her life in

many ways. She is grateful for her role as a WIT Image Team member, and as a driver representative for J.B. Hunt. “It’s given me a voice to share my knowledge. I’ve been given an opportunity that others don’t have. It’s given me pride. I’ve always been a bigger person physically and people would pick and say things, but now, I own my life. It’s mine. I earned it. I paid for it. Being a driver is my super-power,” she says with a laugh.

Jodi has been a Smith System® certified instructor for nearly 15 years and has been a driver trainer at J.B. Hunt for more than 25 years, where she continues to share her wisdom and experience. “I love being a mentor and I love helping people,” she

explains. Her advice to incoming drivers: Do your research. “If there is something specific you want, like travel like I did or sustainability and self-reliance, you can find it. I am divorced. I live by myself. I have a feeling of independence because I know I can take care of myself. Just know what you want out of it and get the job that aligns with what you want,” she says. “It used to be you had to be an over-the-road driver first to get a local job. You don’t have to do that anymore. It’s the greatest balance to be a driver and to be there for your family.”

Among her many accomplishments, she has been named Driver of the Year for her region, was awarded the J.B. Hunt Million Mile

Award for driving 1 million safe miles in 2012, received consecutive safe driving awards at J.B. Hunt, and her recent 2 Million Mile Safe Driving Award which has earned her a trip to J.B. Hunt’s home office in Lowell, AR, at its annual Million Mile Celebration this April where she will be celebrated with all J.B. Hunt drivers who have achieved 2+ Million Safe Miles.

When asked for parting advice, Jodi offered this: “Life is short. If driving is something you want to do, do it! If there is something in this life that will give you happiness, go for it. And, whatever it is, make sure to celebrate those who helped you get there!” n

When asked for parting advice, Jodi offered this: “Life is short. If driving is something you want to do, do it! If there is something in this life that will give you happiness, go for it.”

2023 Accelerate! Conference & Expo In Review

With more than 1,900 pre-registered attendees, approximately 180 thought leaders, 150plus exhibitors and sponsors, 20 featured trucks and trailers, and more than 50 networking opportunities, the 2023 Accelerate! Conference & Expo was an epic success. The three-day event took place Nov. 5-8 in Dallas, TX. Here’s a recap in photos.

experienced first-hand innovative new equipment through the Truck & Technology Tour – which featured cabs, trailers, self-driving trucks, Big Data and AI technology, IoT devices and platforms, TMS, and WMS. Companies included: Badger Infrastructure Solutions, Big M Transportation, Bridgestone, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Frito Lay, Mack Trucks, Navistar, Nikola Motor Company, PACCAR, Panther Premium Logistics, Pilot Company, Truckers Against Trafficking, TruckSuite, UPS, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co., Volvo, Walmart, and WM.

Attendees from all roles, levels, and company types in the industry were represented, bringing diverse perspectives, stories, connections, and more.

Attendees

Many valuable products and services specific to the industry were featured on the expo floor, including an Expo Game Card component, an interactive and fun way for attendees to meet and greet with exhibitors and be eligible for prizes at the end of the conference.

Between speed networking, workshops, receptions, interactive roundtable discussions, expo time, and more, there were plenty of ways attendees could make meaningful connections and build relationships.

Celebrating Drivers:

13th Annual Salute to Women Behind the Wheel

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) will host its 13th annual Salute to Women Behind the Wheel March 22 at 4:00 p.m. during the MidAmerica Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, KY. This one-of-a-kind event recognizing female professional drivers for their efforts and successes is free to female CDL holders and their families, friends, and industry supporters.

The event’s agenda will include the announcement of the winner of the 2024 WIT Driver of the Year award (sponsored by Walmart), the annual female professional driver group photo in the complimentary red t-shirts, an announcement of new members of the WIT Image Team, and the Women In Trucking Foundation-hosted “Door Prizes for Donations” with proceeds going to scholarships.

“Each year, we are privileged to host Salute to Women Behind the Wheel to both celebrate and honor the entire female driver community,” says Jennifer Hedrick, WIT President and CEO. “We encourage female professional drivers, friends, and allies to join us for this celebration.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to make new friends in the industry, see some familiar faces, and be celebrated for your accomplishments as a professional female driver. Stop by the WIT booth at MATS to register and receive your complimentary red t-shirt for the group photo. For full details and the event schedule, visit WomenInTrucking.org and click “Salute to Women Behind the Wheel” under “Events.” n

Thank you to our sponsors:

Scores of female drivers were part of the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel photo in 2023, including the Truck Giveaway sponsored by Arrow Truck Sales.

Shelley Simpson of J.B. Hunt Named 2023 Influential Woman in Trucking

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) presented Shelley Simpson, President of J.B. Hunt Transport Services with its 2023 Influential Woman in Trucking award. Sponsored by Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), the award recognizes the achievements of female role models and trailblazers in the trucking industry.

“Shelley’s passion and leadership for this field, including her commitment to expanding gender diversity in transportation, have been evident throughout her nearly 30-year career,” says Jennifer Hedrick, WIT President and CEO.

In 2007, Simpson was named President of Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS), a business unit she helped create. While continuing to develop ICS, Simpson assumed sales and marketing executive responsibilities in 2011 and was appointed Chief Marketing Officer. She took on additional leadership in 2014 as President of J.B. Hunt’s Truckload business segment, helping improve the efficiency of the company’s fleet.

Simpson was named Chief Commercial Officer in 2017, leading strategic direction of marketing, sales, customer experience, and external product development,

including J.B. Hunt 360°, the company’s technology platform for freight matching and operational efficiency. As the company evolved J.B. Hunt 360 and its technologydriven services, Simpson also was responsible for commercializing them on a global scale as the leader of International Services. In 2020, she was named Executive Vice President of People and Human Resources, leading the company’s efforts to create a more inclusive culture and work environment. In 2022, Simpson was named and currently provides management and performance oversight for all company business units, in addition to emerging technology, developing services and People and Human Resources.

Simpson serves on the board for multiple organizations, including the Mercy Health Foundation and the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board for the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, in addition to serving on the DSA Selection Committee for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

In 2016, she received the Distinguished Woman in Logistics award by WIT and was named 2017 ATHENA Woman of the Year at the NWA

Business Women’s Conference. In 2020, she received the Power50 Award by the National Diversity Council and was named a 2020 Top Influencer by Arkansas Money & Politics. In 2021, she was named one of the Top 100 Women in Supply Chain by Supply Chain Digital and has been named one of the top 100 HR Professionals by the National Diversity Council in 2022. She recently received the 2022 Woman of the Year in Innovation award by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and the Excellence in Free Enterprise Award from Economics Arkansas.

Originally from Russellville, Arkansas, Simpson graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She lives in Rogers, AR with her husband David and three children. n

www.WomenInTrucking.org

Shelley Simpson

Along with Simpson, finalists for the 2023 award were Tori Blake, Chief Financial Officer and Co-owner, Western Logistics Express and WLX, and Megan Ferguson, Vice President of End-to-End Delivery Acceleration, Walmart.

Congrats Christina Mannella: WIT’s 2024 Top Women to Watch in Transportation

Christina has been a leader in Walmart’s initiative to create a diverse working environment where women can thrive and grow. She’s an inclusive, committed, kind leader in the transportation and logistics industry. We’re proud of Christina’s contribution to Walmart and the world!

Go where you can grow! Walmart and set your career in motion with competitive compensation, 401k match, stability, professional growth opportunities, and more!

Careers.walmart.com | 844-DRV-4WMT