The new Peterbilt Model 589 is the perfect blend of tradition and technology. With its bold, distinctive style, the Model 589 features an aluminum hood, wrap-around grille crown with triple bars, 15ʺ external air cleaners and 7 ʺ exhaust stacks. The interior includes the latest driver comforts, such as automatic climate control, abundant storage and larger dual cup holders. Already acclaimed thanks to its timeless styling features and its advanced technology, the Model 589 is built for high performance and maximum uptime with a road presence and distinction that is unmistakably Peterbilt.
If you’re attending the Women In Trucking Association’s largest community gathering this year – the annual Accelerate! Conference & Expo – then you know the power and impact this incredible event can have on those attending. For me, this conference offers many joys and learning opportunities across our four days in Dallas. I leave there richer in knowledge, with a greater understanding of the direct impact of industry issues amongst WIT members, and I am buoyed by the celebration of the WIT community.
I especially enjoy the one-on-one and small group conversations about experiences within the trucking profession and to receive feedback on how WIT’s programs and community help bolster individual career development and enhance relationships within organizations.
Building, nurturing and celebrating community is a key part of how we execute the WIT mission: Encouraging the employment of women in trucking, eliminating obstacles and celebrating successes.
There’s quite a bit of research that shows the importance and value of community, particularly for personal well-being. Being part of a community has shown to reduce stress and anxiety, create greater feelings of self-worth, and improve overall physical and mental health.
During the COVID pandemic, we all saw how the impact of separation from community can affect us individually and within our personal and professional networks.
Bottom line, we thrive and grow when we are in community with one another. Our team here at WIT thinks about the impact of building and strengthening personal and organizational community as we carry out the association’s mission and strategic initiatives outlined by the WIT Board of Directors.
In the coming year we will enhance this focus in several ways.
• Creating opportunities across different geographic regions so that members of WIT can connect in meaningful ways at the local level.
• Continuing to expand the presence of the WITney® educational trailer to introduce new audiences to trucking and showcase opportunities for women in the profession.
• Growing our association network to share resources and collaboration amongst the broader trucking community.
Additionally, we’re pleased to share that our staff has grown, as we’ve welcomed Alyssa Kirkman to the WIT team. Alyssa’s focus will be helping us to continue to support and build our membership community through current and new programs. You can read more about Alyssa on page 43 of this edition of Redefining the Road.
She recently joined our team leaders at our annual retreat, where we used the time for team meetings and planning. It’s an exciting time for our staff to review the year, focus on how we’ll carry out the WIT mission in the year ahead, and nurture and grow our own internal community.
We look forward to continuing to grow in community with you in the year ahead.
Part of the WIT Team met in Chicago to discuss initiatives and plans that support WIT’s mission: Cassidy Mullins (Conference & Project Management), Alyssa Kirkman (Membership Strategy), Lana Nichols (Vice President), Jennifer Hedrick (President & CEO), Brian Everett (Strategy & Content), Carleen Herndon (Sales & Member Services), and Jenny Fall (Driver Engagement).
Follow Your Passions: Examples of Inspiring Career Paths By Women
Brian Everett, Publisher and Editorial Director Redefining the Road magazine
Never before has there been so many career paths in commercial freight transportation from which women can choose based upon their professional backgrounds, passions and skills.
Many women aspire to rise to top management positions, such as Arelis Bonilla, who is President and CEO of Aria Logistics. Like many, she was inspired by her father, who was a truck driver. Despite encountering financial adversity during the 2008 financial crisis, she persevered, delving into business logistics and transportation. Drawing from her past setbacks and a fervent desire to effect positive change and leave a lasting imprint on the industry, she took the bold leap to establish her own company.
Human resources and talent management is another career path for a woman who wants to influence an organization’s development and contribute to its growth. As Chief Human Resources Officer at Amerit Fleet Solutions, Natalie Kathain is responsible for developing talent, employee engagement, communications, and overseeing safety and compliance programs for this provider of fleet maintenance and repair programs. Micha Kay is the Regional Human Resources Development Manager at Old Dominion Freight Line, and is extremely enthusiastic about mentoring, training, and development – and she teaches all internship programs.
There also are many opportunities in operations careers, including being part of distribution centers, overseeing shipping operations
and order fulfillment. For example, Kierra Meyer is the Senior Manager of the Operations Academy at Sysco Corporation, where she is responsible for developing curriculum for trucking, warehouse, and logistics for Sysco’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training facilities. Christina Parrillo is the Field Services Midwest Branch Manager at Clean Harbors, where she leads one of seven employee resource groups, WAVES (Women Advancing Our Values in Environmental Services) across an organization of 22,000 employees.
A career as a professional truck driver also can be ideal for a woman who is independent, a skilled multi-tasker, and loves to travel. For example, Mariposa McNabb is a Professional Driver for Penske Logistics. With an exceptional safety record, she has accumulated 4 million miles throughout her 36-year career. Lehua Anderson is a Professional Driver for GP Transco. Originally from the small Hawaiian island of Moloka’i, Anderson grew up in rural Alaska where much of the population survived on fishing, farming and hunting. Once Anderson’s children “moved out of the nest,” she and her husband decided they wanted to travel and began pursuing professional truck driving careers. With a staggering 25 years of overall experience, trucking isn’t just a profession for her, it’s a passion forged through years of dedication and a deep-seated love for the open road.
These are just a few examples of talented, inspirational women who have chosen a career path in this industry. All women featured here also have been recognized as a WIT Member of the Month in 2024. If you know of a colleague who has an interesting career story to tell, nominate them as a WIT Member of the Month at WomenInTrucking.org.
ARELIS BONILLAPresident & CEO, Aria Logistics
MICHA KAYRegional HR DevelopmentODFLManager,
CHRISTINA PARRILLO Field Services Branch Manager, Clean Harbors
MARIPOSA MCNABB Professional Driver, Penske Logistics
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At TravelCenters of America, we are committed to being a great place for women to work and fostering a welcoming environment for women in the industry.
To celebrate our commitment of supporting women in the industry, we invite you to share stories of inspiring women in trucking who you admire.
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Is There a Competitive Advantage to Shared Purpose and Understanding? Conne C tion Culture
The importance of corporate culture to the success of an organization has evolved in recent years. Today’s corporate culture is driven by a set of values, beliefs, and behaviors that define a company and guides interaction and the human connection among its management and work force.
But this human connection has a significant impact beyond the bottom line. Companies thrive when employees feel valued and heard because the corporate environment is energized and high productivity and innovation become the norm. Successful companies in transportation foster a connection culture, emulate best practices of connected workplaces, and boost vision, value, and voice within their organizations. A company with a “Connected Culture” likely will generate many positive outcomes, including higher productivity, strong customer loyalty, reduced safety incidents,
reduced absenteeism, better employee wellbeing and stronger employee participation.
This article highlights best practices of organizations that have been named as 2024 “Top Companies for Women to Work” by Redefining the Road, the official magazine of the Women In Trucking Association (WIT).
7 Steps to Building a Connection Culture
Many companies named to this year’s list have strategically developed a company culture that creates a competitive advantage in several ways. Based upon this year’s nominations, here are seven areas in which companies in the transportation industry can build a “Connection Culture.”
1. It Starts At The Top. A corporate culture where diversity thrives can only be achieved with leadership who understands and supports gender diversity. These executives oftentimes lead by example and demonstrate to other women that “they can achieve it if they believe it.” Prime examples are strong
leaders and recent winners of WIT’s Influential Woman in Trucking award: Shelley Simpson, President and CEO of J.B. Hunt Transport Services; Trina Norman, former UPS Operation Manager; and Lily Ley, Vice President and Chief Information Officer with PACCAR.
2. Attract Top Talent. A strong culture can help a company attract highly qualified candidates and gain an edge over competitors in hiring. Goodyear, one of the world’s largest tire companies, has created the Goodyear Women’s network ERG, which is dedicated to attracting, connecting, motivating and retaining top female talent.
3. Retain Top Talent. A winning culture nurtures, challenges, and empowers employees, helping to keep them around longer. One way this is accomplished is through strong benefits. For example, Air Products & Chemicals, a world-leading industrial gases company, offers impressive paid parental leave, as well as childcare benefits through a vendor partnership and dependent and childcare spending accounts.
continued on page 10
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In addition, Estes Express Lines, retains top talent through flexibility in hours and work requirements, competitive compensation, and a quality benefits package that includes paid maternity leave, training, and career advancement.
4. Create Jobs Conducive To Women’s Needs. Averitt, a provider of freight transportation and supply chain management solutions, makes it a point to be a great career destination for female professional truck drivers – and the company purposefully makes safety, home time, strong benefits, better equipment and opportunities for growth a priority for them.
5. Increase Employee Engagement. A positive culture can lead to higher employee and customer engagement and loyalty, which can translate to greater growth and profits. For example, at Daimler Trucks North America, this major heavy-duty truck manufacturer offers 21 employee resource groups (ERGs), prioritizes women in leadership roles, and hosts Executive Women Roundtables that encourage a culture of respect, belonging and inclusion.
6. Encourage Innovation. A positive culture can impact organizational innovation, especially when it also affects knowledge sharing. International Motors (formerly Navistar) has intentionally championed women in such important initiatives such as designing and manufacturing International Trucks and IC-Buses that bring joy to female as well as male drivers.
7. Align Employees With Your Organization’s Goals. A positive culture can help align employees with the organization’s broader goals, encouraging everyone to work toward a shared vision. An effectively articulated vision allows opportunities to set appropriate expectations for desired accomplishments of workforce members. While vision is the starting point, it must tie to people’s day-to-day work.
Defining and Routinely Supporting Your Culture
When building a Connection Culture, it’s critical to clearly articulate the values to your corporate culture. But defining and reminding your workforce of your culture isn’t just a
poster on a wall; your company needs to “live and breathe it.” Again, this is communicated from the top down and oftentimes is heavily driven by key departments such as Human Resources/ Talent Management and Marketing/ Corporate Communications.
Many companies in transportation intentionally and routinely maintain a culture of diversity and support. Consider these examples of initiatives and best practices:
• J.B. Hunt Transport Services, a Fortune 300 company driven by its people, technology and capacity, has a content series called “Real Talk” that centers on conversations about different facets of bias.
• The Kenan Advantage Group, North America’s largest tank truck transporter and logistics provider, launched EmpowerU, a pioneering women’s employee resource group that provides networking, support and development opportunities to females.
• Old Dominion Freight Lines, a leading less-than-truckload (LTL) motor carrier, has incorporated transparency in pay scales and promotion processes for equity in compensation and career opportunities for women.
Follow these practical steps and best practices and invest adequate time and resources in building a strong, thriving “Connection Culture,” and your organization will reap the benefits.
It Starts At The Top
Attract Top Talent
Retain Top Talent
Create Jobs Conducive To Women’s Needs
Culture
Increase Employee Engagement
Encourage Innovation.
Align Employees With Organizational Goals
Goodyear recently hosted a roundtable in celebration of International Women in Engineering Day, featuring insights from Rachel Graves, Ashley J., Melissa Ross, Erin Spring, Heather Mosier, and Kimm Jarden. These accomplished women shared valuable lessons they’ve gained throughout their careers.
J.B. Hunt engaged employees in its collaboration with Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland to teach the next generation about trucking and supply chain.
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TOP COMPANIES
Recognizing Excellence Congratulations to the 2024 Top Companies for Women to Work in Transportation
Redefining the Road, the official magazine of the Women In Trucking Association (WIT), announces the recipients of the 2024 Top Companies for Women to Work in Transportation. The recognition program was created in 2018 to support a key element of WIT’s mission: to promote accomplishments focused on the employment of women in the industry.
There are a number of characteristics that distinguish the companies recognized on this list, according to Brian Everett, Group Publisher and Editorial Director of Redefining the Road magazine. These characteristics include corporate cultures that foster gender diversity, competitive compensation and benefits, flexible hours and work requirements, professional development opportunities, and career advancement opportunities.
“Companies named to this prestigious list must demonstrate corporate attributes that are essential to any successful enterprise
committed to gender diversity as part of their corporate strategy,” says Everett. “Qualifying companies to this list involve a two-step process. First, nominations by companies are carefully reviewed to ensure they meet a minimum threshold of qualifications. Then the final ballot of companies is voted on by individuals in the industry. This year generated a record number of more than 31,000 votes industrywide to identify and validate the final companies named to the list.”
Everett notes that the 30 companies receiving the highest number of votes from the industry also are identified as the “Elite 30.” These 30 companies will be recognized on stage at the 2024 Accelerate! Conference & Expo during a special recognition program on Monday, Nov. 11.
The 2024 Top Companies for Women to Work in Transportation are listed in the following pages.
DAIMLER TRUCK NORTH AMERICA
www.northamerica.daimlertruck.com
AIR PRODUCTS
www.airproducts.com
Has a variety of ERGs, such as Women’s Success Network and Women in Operations, which fosters a sense of community for female colleagues.
ARCBEST
www.arcb.com
Continuously looks for ways to enhance women’s experiences in the workplace through programs, networking opportunities, learning and development, and gender-specific health benefits.
AVERITT
www.averittcareers.com
Makes safety, home time and opportunities for growth a priority for female drivers in addition to better pay, better benefits, better equipment and a positive company culture.
CUMMINS INC.
www.cummins.com
Diversity, equity and inclusion have always been critical to success as a global power leader.
Offers 21 employee resource groups, prioritizes women in leadership, hosts Executive Women Roundtables, supports diverse career paths, and offers family leave, flexible work, and generous vacation policies.
EPES TRANSPORT SYSTEM
www.epestransport.com
Prioritizes people and recognizes the importance of equality, diversity, safety, mental and physical well-being and professional development.
ESTES EXPRESS LINES
www.estes-express.com
Believes that strength comes through diversity and the company culture has long embraced a workforce reflecting various backgrounds, viewpoints, and talents.
FEDEX
www.fedex.com/en-us/home.html
Diverse workforce is full of exceptional women who work in roles across the company, including drivers, freight handlers, leadership, and everywhere in between.
GREAT DANE
www.greatdane.com
Provides a supportive environment where women know that nothing will hold them back from professional growth.
INTERNATIONAL MOTORS (FORMERLY NAVISTAR) www.international.com
Offers innovative roles, outstanding benefits, career-enhancing training, and a promise of a more sustainable tomorrow.
J.B. HUNT TRANSPORT SERVICES
www.jbhunt.com
Earlier this year, Shelley Simpson was named incoming company CEO and is the first female to serve in the role.
KENAN ADVANTAGE GROUP www.thekag.com
The launch of EmpowerU, the company’s pioneering women’s employee resource group, provides networking, support, and development opportunities.
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COVER: 2024 Top Companies for Women to Work
continued from page 13
LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC.
www.landstar.com
Inspires and empowers entrepreneurs to succeed in the highly competitive, technologydriven freight transportation industry.
OLD DOMINION FREIGHT LINE
www.odfl.com
Prioritize women’s well-being and professional growth with transparent pay scales and promotion processes, an inclusive culture, and flexible work options.
PENSKE TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS
www.gopenske.com
Promotes gender diversity by emphasizing inclusivity and career development, offering competitive compensation and benefits, and supporting work-life balance.
PETERBILT MOTORS COMPANY
www.peterbilt.com
A diverse work environment is valued and promoted through efforts from the Diversity Council and the Peterbilt Women’s Initiative (PBWIN).
PREMIER TRUCK GROUP
www.premiertruckgroup.com
Recognizes that the company’s strengths come from the diversity and unique backgrounds of its team.
QUALITY CARRIERS
www.qualitycarriers.com
Has a proven track record of opening doors for women to be professional drivers, shop mechanics, terminal teammates, corporate directors and more.
ROEHL TRANSPORT, INC.
www.roehl.jobs
Offers women on-the-job paid CDL training, as well as opportunities in IT, maintenance, HR and operations.
RXO
www.rxo.com
Women’s Inclusion Network is the largest employee resource group, launching initiatives such as mentoring, career journey spotlights and career development workshops.
RYDER SYSTEM, INC.
www.ryder.com
Active for more than 10 years, Ryder’s Women Leadership (RWL) offers training, networking, and career development opportunities.
SCHNEIDER www.schneider.com
Women make up more than 13% of the company’s drivers and 40% of leadership roles.
SYSCO
www.sysco.com
Prioritizes safety measures, offering specialized training programs and implementing policies that ensure the well-being of all employees.
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
www.goodyeartrucktires.com
Firmly believes a diverse workforce is critical to the company’s long-term success.
TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA
www.ta-petro.com
Women make up 43 percent of the workforce and nearly 30 percent of senior leadership positions are held by women.
UPS
www.ups.com
Women’s Leadership Development and Women in Operations groups work to empower and inspire women to reach their full potential through personal and professional development.
VOLVO GROUP NORTH AMERICA
www.volvogroup.com/en
Committed to building an inclusive workplace with a target of 35% women amongst all employees and leaders by 2030.
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Elevating women IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY
Get the resources and support you need at a Top Company for Women to Work for in Transportation.
A supportive and inclusive work environment:
› Women make up 13% of drivers and 40% of leadership roles at Schneider.
› Business resource groups, such as the Schneider’s Women’s Network.
› Health care, paid time off, 401(k) with match and more.
A variety of career progression opportunities:
› Truck driving, office, warehouse and diesel technician job options.
› Tuition assistance for full- and part-time associates.
› Over 170 company-paid learning and development courses.
Learn more about our job opportunities and apply at SchneiderJobs.com.
continued from page 14
WALMART
www.careers.walmart.com
Offers a supportive environment for women with weekly home time with no split days off, providing a work-life balance and expanded fertility and family-building benefits.
WM
www.wm.com
Leads the way by promoting gender diversity in the trucking industry and transforming work into a welcoming space for women.
XPO, INC.
www.xpo.com
Progressive benefits, coupled with genderresponsive career development initiatives, demonstrate a commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace.
2024 TOP COMPANIES FOR WOMEN TO WORK
4REFUEL
www.4refuel.com
Provides an environment where women are empowered to excel professionally and contribute meaningfully to the organization’s success.
ADM TRUCKING
www.adm.com
Fleet is heavily influenced by strong, diverse and talented women who lead the way in engagement, training and communication.
AIM TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS
www.aimntls.com
Specifically supportive for women due to the flexibility, family-first culture, opportunities for advancement and ongoing training.
AMERICAN EXPEDITING LOGISTICS LLC
www.americanexpediting.com
Culture of collaboration and appreciation enables women-led key business impacts to be heard, valued, and celebrated.
AMERICA’S SERVICE LINE LLC
www.americasserviceline.com
Stands as a beacon for women in the trucking industry due to its unwavering commitment to gender equality and empowerment.
ANCORA TRAINING
www.ancoratraining.com
Believes in the strength of diversity and is continually seeking out opportunities to hire candidates across a broad range of demographic, cultural, and sociopolitical backgrounds.
ARRIVE LOGISTICS
www.arrivelogistics.com
Distinguishes itself as a supportive environment for women through the efforts of the Arrive Women in Logistics (AWIL) Employee Resource Group
ARROW TRUCK SALES
www.arrowtruck.com
Celebrating 75 years in business in 2025 and acknowledges the contributions of the women in leadership positions and other key roles in the company.
AURORA PARTS
www.auroraparts.com
Promotes a culture of strength and teamwork and offers flexible work arrangements, competitive compensation, and abundant career advancement opportunities.
BAY & BAY TRANSPORTATION
www.bayandbay.com
Has maintained a diverse and inclusive culture since 1941 with family staying a top priority.
BENNETT FAMILY OF COMPANIES www.bennettig.com
Woman-owned, family-run and prioritizes women in the workplace through promoting internally and having a committee dedicated to placing importance and focus on women drivers.
continued on page 18
TOP COMPANIES
continued from page 17
BOB’S DISCOUNT FURNITURE
www.mybobs.com
Has female representation throughout its organization including corporate executives, routing directors and managers, driver managers, and CDL drivers.
BOYLE TRANSPORTATION, AN ANDLAUER HEALTHCARE GROUP COMPANY
www.driveboyle.com
Provides a team environment which increases safety for drivers, superior equipment that reduces downtime in unsafe areas, and reimburses drivers for reserved parking spots.
BRENNY TRANSPORTATION, INC.
www.brennytransportation.com
Has recently incorporated self-defense training to ensure its entire team, especially females, are safe.
Fundamental belief that a sustainably strong workforce must include diversity makes it a great place for women to work and thrive.
CARGOMATIC, INC.
www.cargomatic.com
Fosters an environment where women feel valued, supported and empowered to succeed.
CARTER EXPRESS, INC.
www.carter-express.com
Dedicated to setting a standard that elevates women in the workplace, on the road, and in their daily lives.
CENTERLINE DRIVERS
www.centerlinedrivers.com
Women comprise more than half of the workforce and hold more than 50% of leadership positions.
CERTIFIED EXPRESS, INC
www.teamcei.com
Consistently recruits and works to retain quality female drivers in a variety of ways
CJ LOGISTICS AMERICA
www.cjlogisticsamerica.com
Offers tailored training, education, and mentorship programs to advance the professional growth of female employees.
CLEAN HARBORS www.cleanharbors.com
Women’s Employee Resource Group helps implement changes companywide such as adding female uniforms to the company catalog or constructing women’s locker rooms in the field
CONTAINERPORT GROUP
www.containerport.com
Champions women as key decision-makers, leaders, and valuable members of the team with ample room to influence the company into the future.
CONVERSION INTERACTIVE AGENCY
www.conversionia.com
Proudly stands as a woman-owned company, epitomizing female entrepreneurship and leadership.
COVENANT LOGISTICS GROUP
www.covenantlogistics.com
Champions the advancement and empowerment of women within the industry through the Women in Covenant program.
CROSSCOUNTRY FREIGHT SOLUTIONS
www.ccfs.com
Provides equal opportunities, flexible schedules, competitive benefits, and a supportive culture that empowers women and ensures they can thrive in their careers
CROWLEY
www.crowley.com
The company’s IDEA Council spearheads research, development, and implementation of strategies that foster a conducive workplace culture for success.
Top Company for Women to Work in Transportation
At Interstate Billing Service, we believe that empowering our team members is not just about creating opportunities—it’s about building a supportive community where every voice is heard, and every talent is nurtured.
We’re honored and proud to be named one of the Top Companies for Women to Work For in transportation.
DAY & ROSS
www.dayross.com
Committed to removing barriers to women’s development and increasing their representation in executive leadership, driver, dispatch, safety, and talent management roles.
DOT TRANSPORTATION INC.
www.drivefordti.com
Has several employee resource groups that offer avenues for development, mentoring, and networking
DUPRÉ LOGISTICS
www.duprelogistics.com
Women have played a significant role in the company by serving in executive positions and the highest leadership roles.
DYNACRAFT, A PACCAR COMPANY
www.dynacraftnet.com
Values leadership development, openness, teamwork, continuous improvement and educational advancement in order to drive strong business results.
ECHO GLOBAL LOGISTICS
www.echo.com
Continues to build a robust pipeline of women leaders to transform the logistics landscape.
EXCARGO SERVICES INC.
www.excargo.com
Certified by the Women Business Enterprise Network since 1994 and promotes education, advancement, and volunteerism that appeals to women.
FSTAFF
www.fstaff.com
Cutting-edge technology ensures unbiased hiring by precisely matching truck drivers with jobs based on skill alone, not gender.
GARNER TRUCKING, INC.
www.garnertrucking.com
Stands out as an exemplary workplace for women through its dedication to diversity and inclusion, demonstrated by its involvement in initiatives such as the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program.
GILTNER LOGISTICS
www.giltnerlogistics.com
Fosters a culture that champions gender diversity, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.
GLT LOGISTICS
www.goglt.com
Promotes equal professional growth opportunities for women and creates educational spaces to empower them with tools to enhance their profiles, self-esteem, and leadership skills.
GREAT WEST CASUALTY COMPANY
www.gwccnet.com
Provides flexible working arrangements for most roles, allowing women to be present for their families as well as continue to advance and achieve excellence on the job.
HALVOR LINES INC.
www.halvorlines.com
Many people within the organization have been promoted to leadership positions based on their merits, regardless of their sex, race, or minority status.
HIGHWAY TRANSPORT LOGISTICS
www.highwaytransport.com
Takes pride in its female leaders, who inspire and mentor younger women, showcasing the numerous opportunities available to them.
INTERSTATE BILLING SERVICE
www.interstatebilling.com
Offers an empowering environment for women, with more than 130 of its 160 team members being women, showcasing a commitment to gender diversity.
ISAAC INSTRUMENTS
www.isaacinstruments.com
Cultivates a culture of care and inclusivity, from the attentive support provided by dedicated comfort agents to the array of recreational activities that promote physical and mental health.
continued on page 21
THE MOST ADVANCED PETERBILT EVER
The Model 579 combines aerodynamic styling with the integrated PACCAR Powertrain for maximum fuel economy and outstanding performance. The MX engine is supported by connected truck data enabling a prognostic approach to field support to improve customer uptime. Innovative technologies and advanced driver assistance systems improve driver productivity and safety, while the spacious interior surrounds the driver in unparalleled comfort. The Model 579. In a Class of its Own.
continued from page 19
J.J. KELLER & ASSOCIATES, INC.
www.jjkeller.com
Ranked as a certified Great Place to Work® by its associates for the past 7 years.
JOYRIDE LOGISTICS, LLC
www.joyridelogistics.com
Enabled the women in management to grow from entry positions by providing them with the necessary tools, training and support to now lead the company at its peak.
JX TRUCK CENTER
www.jxe.com
All female employees participate in Women of JX program which showcases women at all leadership levels, fostering learning and growth.
KENWORTH TRUCK COMPANY
www.kenworth.com
Offers women a great place to work where they can thrive professionally and contribute to the company’s long-term success.
KOCH COMPANIES
www.kochtrucking.com
Provides a culture that allows women to thrive both behind the wheel and behind a desk.
LEONARD’S EXPRESS
www.leonardsexpress.com
Co-founder’s strong values of female empowerment in a predominantly male-run industry are still abundantly present in the company’s day-to-day operations.
LGT TRANSPORT www.lgttransport.com
Woman and veteran-owned company where women hold positions at every level and across different departments in both driver roles and office staff.
MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY www.marathonpetroleum.com
Accredits the tenure of female and BIPOC workforce to the robust benefits and career advancement opportunities provided to employees.
MAY TRUCKING COMPANY www.maytrucking.com
Promotes female employees by proactively removing barriers that hinder women from pursuing careers in the transportation industry.
MCLEOD SOFTWARE www.mcleodsoftware.com
Fosters an inclusive culture with flexible work options, comprehensive maternity benefits, and targeted upskilling and leadership development for women.
MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC. www.michelinman.com
Has set goals to increase the number of women in leadership roles and has a Women’s Network and other business resource groups specific to women and their needs.
MOTOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS www.motor.com
COVER: 2024 Top Companies for Women to Work
Values women by offering hybrid schedules and extended maternity leave for work-life balance as well as providing benefits, including mental health support, family planning and financial caregiver assistance.
MUSKET TRANSPORT www.musket.ca
Works to remove barriers and collaborates with the community to educate, inspire, and support women entering transportation and logistics.
NATIONAL CARRIERS INC. www.nationalcarriers.com
Has solicited and encouraged female drivers to join its fleet through local training schools in hiring areas, providing tuition or tuition reimbursement.
NATIONAL SHUNT SERVICE (NSSL) www.nationalshunt.com
Provides an enriching environment where women are valued, respected, and given the tools to achieve their full potential.
NEW WEST TRUCK CENTRES (FREIGHTLINER INC.) www.newwesttruck.ca
Offers equal opportunities for career advancement, fair compensation, and comprehensive support systems to cultivate a culture of diversity and respect.
NFI INDUSTRIES www.nfiindustries. com
Offers flexible scheduling to maintain a work life balance while also encouraging continuous professional development to accelerate your career.
OOIDA www.ooida.com
By integrating women fully into its ranks, the company leads by example, showing that a more inclusive industry is possible and preferable.
ORICA – USA www.orica.com
Committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where people feel engaged, respected, and connected.
PACCAR INC www.paccar.com
The PACCAR Women’s Association (PWA) is dedicated to supporting and developing female talent within the organization.
PACCAR LEASING COMPANY www.paclease.com
Committed to elevating women within the organization, whether it is through career opportunities, training and development, or day-to-day recognition.
PACCAR PARTS
www.paccarparts.com
Has a long-standing reputation for promoting from within, reaching for diverse job seekers during recruitment and providing comprehensive leadership training opportunities for its employees.
PALMER TRUCKS www.palmertrucks.com
Provides education, support, flexibility and resources for working women and mothers to achieve their full potential.
PENNSY SUPPLY, A CRH COMPANY www.pennsysupply.com
Strives to create an inclusive work environment where talented people from all backgrounds are welcome.
continued from page 21
PEPSICO FOODS NORTH AMERICA
www.driveforfritolay.com
Known for being a great place to work, especially for women due to excellent pay and benefits, commitment to diversity and inclusion, community investment and sustainability.
POLARIS TRANSPORTATION GROUP
www.polaristransport.com
Various educational programs and initiatives help empower all staff to explore their full potential which has also resulted high employee retention.
PUROLATOR INC.
www.purolator.com/en
Focuses on recruiting and promoting women at all levels of the organization with a focus on leadership roles.
RE GARRISON TRUCKING, INC.
www.regarrison.com
The team benefits from tuition reimbursement, the Legacy Leaders Training Program, flexible hours, paid maternity leave, remote work opportunities and secure worksites.
RED CLASSIC www.redclassic.com
Strives to enhance work experiences through programs that foster professional growth, opportunity, networking, mentorships and education.
RELIANCE PARTNERS
www.reliancepartners.com
With 36% of its leadership team composed of women, the company sets a high standard for gender equality.
RIHM FAMILY COMPANIES www.rihmkenworth.com
The Rihm Women’s Association (RWA) offers an invaluable platform for female team members to connect and lead within the organization.
SAIA LTL FREIGHT www.saia.com
The Saia Women employee resource group is committed to fostering opportunities for growth and advancement for women at the company.
SAVAGE www.savageco.com
DEI Committee formed a subcommittee to focus on benefits that support women and families.
SOUTHEASTERN FREIGHT LINES www.sefl.com
Women’s Committee, consisting of individuals from diverse departments and service centers, actively promotes inclusivity and spearheads positive changes for women.
SOUTHWEST INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS www.southwestinternational.com
Newly launched women’s ERG, SWIT WOMEN, prioritizes mentorship, education, and recruitment to foster gender diversity.
STANDARD LOGISTICS
www.standardls.com
Offers a mentoring program where women can be connected and mentored by other women in higher roles
STERICYCLE INC.
www.stericycle.com
Led by a female CEO and CIO/CFO and stands by the notion that gender does not define your ability to succeed.
SUBURBAN PROPANE
www.jobs.suburbanpropane.com
Women hold diverse roles at every level and are supported by competitive compensation, benefits, and development opportunities.
SUN STATE INTERNATIONAL www.sunstateintl.com
Prioritizes creating a supportive and inclusive workplace for women by ensuring equal access to career development and continued education programs.
DRIVEN BY PROMISES
At Old Dominion, we empower women and celebrate their valuable contributions across all levels. We are committed to supporting women in trucking, offering a workplace that is known for its diversity, family support, and overall excellence. Join the Old Dominion Family and see why we have been named
SUNSET TRANSPORTATION
www.sunsettrans.com
Dedicated to promoting gender equality with women making up 50% of its leadership team and over 40% of its staff
SWTO, LLC
www.linkedin.com/company/swto
Provides a supportive and collaborative work environment where women can thrive and reach their full potential.
TA DEDICATED
www.tadedicated.com
Constantly looking to diversify its C-Suite with the goal of a woman named at the VP level or higher as majority of female leaders of Director level.
THE ERB GROUP
www.erbgroup.com
Prioritizes diversity, inclusion, equal opportunities, supportive policies, and a positive work culture.
THE EVANS NETWORK OF COMPANIES
www.evansdelivery.com
Has several, high revenue generating women agent entrepreneurs making many opportunities available for women OO/drivers.
THE PETE STORE
www.thepetestore.com
Leadership recognizes the benefits of having more women in historically male-populated roles and actively works to recruit, retain, and promote talented women.
THOMAS E. KELLER TRUCKING
www.kellerlogistics.com
Offers self-defense classes, installs panic buttons in female trucks, provides an annual membership to Women in Trucking, and ensures at least two female drivers are on the Driver Advisory Board.
TOTAL TRANSPORTATION OF MS, LLC
www.totalms.com
Has more than two times the national average of female drivers and takes pride in fostering an environment where anyone can grow, have job security, and forge a career path of their own.
TRAC INTERMODAL
www.tracintermodal.com
Offers family-friendly benefits and flexible work arrangements to support women balancing their professional and family lives.
TRAFFIX
www.traffix.com
Prioritize women’s career growth and worklife balance with initiatives like the Women in Transportation group, extended maternity leave, and flexible remote work policies.
TRIMAC www.trimac.com
Actively engages with female-focused organizations like Women Building Future and Women in Trucking and provides tailored support through a Youth Apprenticeship Program.
TRI-NATIONAL, INC. www.tri-nat.com
Acknowledges the drive women have for being career-oriented while also being family focused and accommodating the needs of their families.
TRINITY LOGISTICS
www.trinitylogistics.com
Employs more than 450 team members with 49.5 percent of them women, and 19.6 percent of those women holding a management or leadership role.
TRIUMPH FINANCIAL, INC. www.tfin.com
With mentorship programs, flexible schedules, and gender-neutral advancement opportunities, the company fosters an environment where women thrive.
continued on page 27
Celebrating top women to watCh in 2024
Amy has spent the past three years at International 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 International Quality. When it comes to her staff, Amy focuses on growing talent for the future and helping women around International 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 International 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, International
Wendy Mitckes Tax Manager, International
simplifying maintenanC e to maximize uptime
From a one-man company built on the world-changing invention of the McCormick reaper in 1831, to the 15,000-personstrong company we are today, few companies can lay claim to a history like International. Based in Lisle, Illinois, International Motors, LLC* creates solutions that deliver greater uptime and productivity to our customers throughout the full operation of our commercial vehicles.
We build International® trucks and engines and IC Bus® school and commercial buses that are as tough and as smart as the people who drive them. We also develop Fleetrite® aftermarket parts. In everything we do, our vision is to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility to create the cleaner, safer world we all deserve. As of 2021, we joined Scania, MAN and Volkswagen Truck & Bus in TRATON GROUP, a global champion of the truck and transport services industry.
TRUCKSTOP
www.truckstop.com
Committed to principles such as assume positive intent, have each other’s back, and respect other people’s roles.
TUCKER FREIGHT LINES
www.tuckerfreight.com
Ongoing leadership and equality training has led to the promotion of seven women to management roles, including three at executive levels.
TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC
www.tylertech.com
Excels as a workplace for women due to its inclusive culture, offering equal career opportunities, flexible work policies, and robust support for personal and professional development.
U.S. XPRESS
www.usxpress.com
Strives for an inclusive culture, offering five Employee Resource Groups to connect likeminded individuals across the company.
UBER FREIGHT
www.uberfreight.com
Women are uplifted by extensive programs and resources that further their advancement and development as leaders.
USAL
www.usal.com
Dedicated to continually attracting and advancing exceptionally qualified women who are poised to drive the organization to new heights.
VENTURE LOGISTICS
www.venturelogistics.com
Prioritizes competitive wages, outstanding benefits, and fosters a supportive, inclusive work environment that embraces diversity.
WERNER ENTERPRISES
www.werner.com
Has mentorship programs, diversity training, a strong representation of women in leadership and clear reporting mechanisms for discrimination and harassment to ensure a supportive environment for all.
WILSON LOGISTICS
www.wilsonlogistics.com
Has a large percentage of associates who are women and enjoys the balance they bring to the organization and family table.
ZONAR SYSTEMS
www.zonarsystems.com
Committed to increasing gender diversity and offering competitive compensation, safe working conditions, continued education, and career advancement opportunities for female employees.
Bob’s Discount Furniture is continuing its journey of becoming the top furniture retailer in the country and we want you to join us! Driving with Bob’s o ers incredible bene ts, top pay, more home time and all with the consistency and job security you deserve!
Apply now at:
https://careers.mybobs.com/us/en
The Burden of Obesity-Related Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Obesity is a rising health problem in the US1
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is a common, serious, and chronic disease. It is multifactorial and progressive in nature. It is classified as a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30.0 kg/m2 in adults.1-4
~2 out of 5 adults (42%) struggle with obesity in the US, according to the 2017-March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)5
The US obesity prevalence is projected to increase to nearly 50% in adults by 2030 per an analysis published in 2019 using data from the BRFSS survey* and NHANES6,†
*Data from 1993-1994 and 1999-2016.6
†Data from 1991-1994 and 1999-2016.6
Obesity is a risk factor for CVD and is associated with poor outcomes3,7
Obesity is an independent risk factor for CVD, in part due to its pathogenesis, which increases inflammation and contributes to progression of atherosclerosis.3,7,8
Obesity also contributes directly to certain risk factors for the development of CVD3,7:
Dyslipidemia
A population-based study evaluating the lifetime risk estimates of incident CVD by weight status using pooled data of 190,672 in-person examinations found that adults with obesity have a higher cumulative lifetime risk of incident CVD events and CVD death compared with adults with a normal BMI.9,‡
Type 2 Diabetes Hypertension
67%-85%
Increased lifetime risk for first CVD event in middle-aged male and female patients with obesity, respectively, compared with patients with a normal BMI9,§,‖
Increased lifetime risk of incident CHF in middle-aged adults with obesity compared to those with a normal BMI9,‖ ~2-fold
§CVD events included fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, fatal and nonfatal stroke, CHF, and cardiovascular death.9
‖Based on competing hazard ratios adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, and smoking status.9
According to a meta-analysis of 5 randomized studies consisting of 881,692 participants that assessed the extent of association between obesity and CVD, obesity was significantly associated with an increased odds of coronary artery disease (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02-1.41; P=0.03; I2=87%).10,¶
Weight Loss Can Help Improve Certain CVD Risk Factors and Reduce Medical Costs Associated With Obesity11-13
The high expenditure associated with obesityrelated CVD results in substantial economic burden13,14
Obesity-related CVD is spent in direct costs for medical treatment per case of CHF or CHD attributable to obesity† is spent in direct costs for medical treatment per case of stroke attributable to obesity†
medical costs of CHF, CHD, hypertension, and stroke attributable to obesity were reported in $US 2018 and adjusted for inflation in 2023.13 †Costs were reported in $US 2018 and were adjusted for inflation in 2023.13
Weight loss can help reduce medical costs and improve certain CVD risk factors3,11,12
One retrospective study examining data from 401 adults from 2003-2011 who enrolled in a weight-loss program discovered that patients considered high risk (those whose baseline risk factor screening values were outside the recommended limits) who lost >10% of their body weight, experienced greater reductions in fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol compared with high-risk patients who lost <10% of their body weight.11,§
§The weight-loss program was a 15-week program in which the patient’s diet consisted of nutritional bars and shakes with 1 structured food-based meal per day, which transitioned to a food-based 1200 kcal/day diet after the first 8 weeks. Weekly physical activity goals were individualized, but patients were encouraged to achieve 150 min/week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Patients also received weekly one-on-one visits with a registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, or psychology staff.11
This study, which used data from the 2000-2010 waves of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), estimated a 5% reduction in BMI could lead to annual cost savings of $353.25 for adult patients without type 2 diabetes with a baseline BMI of 30 kg/m2 12,14,§
‖Aggregated medical costs include inpatient, outpatient, prescription drugs, dental, vision, home healthcare services, and medical equipment, which were reported in $US 2010 and were adjusted for inflation in 2023.12
The link between cardiovascular disease risk factors and obesity supports the use of an evidence-based comprehensive weight management program in patients with overweight or obesity. 3,15
CHD, coronary heart disease; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; MEPS, Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys. References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About overweight & obesity. Accessed February 23, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/about-obesity/index.html 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Defining adult overweight & obesity. Accessed February 23, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/adult-defining.html 3. Powell-Wiley TM, Poirier P, Burke LE, et al. Obesity and cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021;143(21):e984-e1010. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000973. 4. Bray GA, Kim KK, Wilding JPH, World Obesity Federation. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Obes Rev. 2017;18(7):715-723. 5. Stierman B, Afful J, Carroll M, et al. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–March 2020 prepandemic data files development of files and prevalence estimates for selected health outcomes. National Health Statistics Reports No. 158. June 14, 2021. Accessed February 23, 2023. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/106273 6. Ward ZJ, Bleich SN, Cradock AL, et al. Projected U.S. state-level prevalence of adult obesity and severe obesity. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(25):2440-2450. doi:10.1056/NEJMsa1909301 7. Cercato C, Fonseca FA. Cardiovascular risk and obesity. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2019;11:74. doi:10.1186/s13098-019-0468-0 8. Cooke JP. Endotheliopathy of obesity. Circulation. 2020;142(4):380-383. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.047574 9. Khan SS, Ning H, Wilkins JT, et al. Association of body mass index with lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease and compression of morbidity. JAMA Cardiol. 2018;3(4):280-287. doi:10.1001/ jamacardio.2018.0022 10. Riaz H, Khan MS, Siddiqi TJ, et al. Association between obesity and cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of mendelian randomization studies. JAMA Netw Open. 2018;1(7):e183788. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3788 11. Brown JD, Buscemi J, Milsom V, Malcolm R, O’Neil PM. Effects on cardiovascular risk factors of weight losses limited to 5-10. Transl Behav Med. 2016;6(3):339-346. doi:10.1007/s13142-015-0353-9 12. Cawley J, Meyerhoefer C, Beiner A, et al. Savings in medical expenditures associated with reductions in body mass index among US adults with obesity, by diabetes status. Pharmacoeconomics. 2015;33(7):707-722. 13. Lopez C, Bendix J, Sagynbekov K. Weighing down America: 2020 update. A community approach against obesity. December 2020. Accessed February 23, 2023. https://milkeninstitute.org/sites/default/files/reports-pdf/Weighing%20Down%20America%20 v12.3.20_0.pdf 14. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. CPI inflation calculator. Accessed February 23, 2023. https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm 15. Ryan DH, Yockey SR. Weight loss and improvement in comorbidity: differences at 5%, 10%, 15%, and over. Curr Obes Rep. 2017;6(2):187-194. doi:10.1007/s13679-017-0262-y
of
Americans heavily rely on the trucking industry to supply virtually all of our daily needs. Medium- and heavy-duty trucks make the world go around and are essential to everyday life. While professional truck drivers oftentimes are the most visible faces of the trucking industry, there is another group that is equally important to the supply chain.
Skilled diesel mechanics and technicians are needed to keep those big rigs rolling — and to solve any technical or mechanical issues when they arise. Professional truck drivers cannot pick-up or deliver freight when their trucks are in the shop or broken down on the side of the road – whether it is caused by a problem with the engine aftertreatment system, an electrical issue, or perhaps a problem with the truck’s brakes. That’s why skilled truck maintenance technicians are critical to the success of the transportation industry.
Female Technicians Wanted (and Needed)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians is projected to grow 4% from 2018 to 2028. As the stock of heavy-duty trucks continues to grow, more service technicians will be needed to maintain them. Unfortunately, there is a severe shortage of technicians. In fact, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the
Diesel Technicians
A CAREER UNDER THE HOOD
industry will need about 200,000 technicians over the next 10 years just to keep up with current truck maintenance demands. U.S. technical schools are only training about 3,500 diesel technicians each year.
There is a significant shortage of women in this field, according to the WIT Index (202425), which reveals that an average of only 4% of their overall technicians are female. Approximately 47% of respondents say they have no women in technician roles. Only 23% report between 1% and 4% of overall technicians are women. However, compared to past WIT Indexes there is an indication that more women are being trained and hired in technician roles. The 2022 WIT Index showed an average of approximately 3.7% women in these roles, which indicates a modest trend of engaging more women in these roles. (See Illustration: Technicians: Percentage of Women).
What’s Driving More Women to this Career Path?
More and more women become diesel technicians because they want to own their own destiny. Such a career can be challenging and rewarding because it requires problem-solving skills, technical prowess, and it can become a long-term career path that leads to additional opportunities. For example, skills usually are transferable to other fields, such as a highlevel customer service position.
Typically, mechanics earn a healthy wage right off the bat. Recent tech school graduates can earn a competitive hourly wage and gain access to solid benefits with the right company. Technical school students carry much less debt compared to students at a 4-year college. And oftentimes, tuition can be paid for (partially or in whole) by the employer if the student commits to working there. In addition, dealerships and other employers also may provide tool purchase assistance (starting tool sets can cost $6,000).
Companies with diesel shops range from dealerships to for-hire motor carriers, companies with larger private fleets, and asset-based third-party logistics companies.
Keelie Boyer: A Strong Start in Truck Maintenance
Keelie Boyer is a truck maintenance and truck prep technician with Wilson Logistics, an asset-based 3PL providing full truckload, heavy-haul, high-cube, yard management solutions, dedicated and power-only solutions. While attending high school in Springfield, MO: “I realized I wanted to go into mechanics when I was a young kid working on cars and trucks with my dad, and tractors with my grandpa.”
At only 19 years of age, Boyer is one of the youngest in the department. “Wilson Logistics has trained me on a lot of things
continued on page 32
Keelie Boyer, Truck Maintenance & Truck Prep Technician, Wilson Logistics
continued from page 31
I never knew about trucking and, in this career you are never done learning,” she continues. “You never know everything you’re going to learn – especially when it comes to changes in electronics in trucks. It’s fun because you’re learning all the time.”
At Wilson Logistics, the role of the truck technician is to “keep all of the trucks operating within DOT compliance and to make our drivers want to drive our trucks,”
says Boyer. “We help to keep our drivers excited about their jobs from the time they open the door and see that everything is clean, shiny and working perfectly.”
Boyer’s responsibilities include prepping trucks for drivers, completing inspections with attentiveness according to the requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and keeping the tire balancing machine cleaned and stocked. Other responsibilities include keeping the tool room clean and organized.
What advice does Boyer give other women considering a career path in the diesel/truck technician field? “If you are younger and you think this is something you may want to do, take an automotive class in school,” she advises. “Gain basic knowledge of vehicles, but realize you don’t need to understand cars and trucks when you first start out because your shop is going to train you,” she says. “Also be ready to stand up for yourself, be willing to listen and learn, be open to take advice from other guys in the shop, be ready to lift heavy things and work safely.”
TruckSuite Mobile APP
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Truck Warranties
Repair Audit for WIT Members
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What are some activities in the day of a life of a technician? Duties range from mounting and dismounting tires and working on electrical systems to replacing damaged body parts, changing filters, wipers, seat covers, and damaged interior parts such as cabinets, visors, shocks, and dash equipment.
Brianna Glowinski grew up in a family of what she describes as “handy people.”
As a young girl, Glowinski, her brother and father would tinker on equipment in their garage and around the house, and her uncle and his son own a mechanics shop working on transmissions.
“I was around others who had a sense of quality and pride people take in their work for repairing engines and vehicles,” she says. Because she struggled in high school academics, a teacher encouraged her to consider a technical career working with her hands – which ultimately led her to a career as an auto technician for Toyota for a few years.
As she continued to consider career options, she learned that there were more career and income opportunities in truck/diesel mechanics so she earned her Associates degrees in Diesel Technology and Agriculture Equipment from the University of North Western Ohio.
Boyer, Truck Maintenance & Truck Prep Technician, Wilson Logistics
“I was so fortunate to have met a number of people who mentored me and shared their technical knowledge and life lessons with me,” says Glowinski. During the pandemic, she became a Diesel Technician with Penske Truck Leasing, and through her talent, hard work, and attention to detail she has risen through the ranks of Maintenance Manager Trainee and currently Maintenance Supervisor.
In this role, she ensures her team of maintenance professionals are conducting repairs safely, properly and efficiently, as well as helping them professionally grow as technicians. “I daily oversee their performance as well as their professional growth, whether it’s technical training, working on soft skills, helping them to engage on committees to branch out their portfolios. So essentially I’m focused on working to fix trucks and build people.”
Is Diesel Mechanic the Right Career For You?
The most common and basic skills and expertise in this field are in automotive tires, customer service, engine mechanic, mechanical experience, oil changing, and assembly line.
If you relate to these personality traits, you may be a good candidate for this career path:
• Basic knowledge of trucks and electric components; like to solve mechanical problems
• Being able to stand up for yourself
• Being willing to learn, listen, change, and multi-task
• Enjoy physical labor and be able to lift heavy things
• Ability to work safely
• Value job security
• Comfortable working with a team (and individually)
• Good in basic written and verbal communication
• Non-forced dispatch.
• Earn a share of the revenue for every load hauled.
• Thousands of loads available every day.
• Big fuel discounts at the point-of-sale.
The Trucking Industry’s Growing Headache: FINDING PARKING
Parking lots that can accommodate commercial freight trucks are in short supply around the country. The lack of truck parking can decrease productivity and increase fuel usage because a lack of parking forces drivers to waste time and burn fuel as they seek legitimate parking. HOS violations can result in hefty fines, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars. The problem also can lead to unsafe situations for trucks and other motorists on the road – along with personal safety concerns for female professional truck drivers who are unable to find parking in legitimate, well-lit parking areas.
“Female drivers face heightened dangers, often attracting unwanted attention,” says Tara O’Banion, Account Executive with Camargo Insurance, which offers specialized commercial trucking insurance. “They have to be constantly alert, carry self-defense tools, and keep doors locked. The risks are significantly higher when they can’t find a spot at a truck stop.”
Progress on Parking Solutions: Infrastructure Funding
Over $30 million was recently awarded to construct 260 new truck parking spaces, according to U.S. Department of
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He says these will make it easier for truck drivers to locate parking along key freight corridors in Ohio, Wisconsin and Nevada.
“The chronic lack of truck parking poses a danger to the public, impedes the efficiency of our supply chain and harms truckers’ well-being,” according to Buttigieg. Congress is being asked to build on this investment and vote to pass the $200 million for truck parking included in this year’s appropriations bill. This funding stems from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and was allocated through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Program. Combined with previous awards to California Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming, the announcement brings the total number of truck parking projects supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to 14, encompassing roughly 2,000 additional spaces.
The INFRA funding was awarded as follows:
Ohio: A $17,897,842 grant will repurpose two closed rest areas as new truck parking facilities. One facility on I-70 near New Paris will create 100 spaces, and the other on I-80
near Hubbard will create 38 spaces. Over a one-year period, over 1,000 trucks were forced to park in undesignated spots within a few miles of these locations. The project will entail video surveillance, and the parking areas will be added to the Truck Parking Information Management System, providing real-time parking information to drivers.
Wisconsin: A $12,500,000 grant will replace both the Rest Area 51 Maribel and Rest Area 52 Denmark facilities along I-43 in Manitowoc County, which will increase truck parking capacity by 72 spaces. The project will also improve lighting and access for trucks as well as provide real-time parking information.
Nevada: As part of an I-80 widening project in the Reno-Sparks area, Nevada DOT will add 50 new truck parking spaces.
In addition, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act—which was recently introduced by Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) and Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) and Representatives Mike Bost (R-Illinois) and Angie Craig (D-Minnesota)—which would create a $755 million federal grant program dedicated to truck parking expansion.
More Solutions Coming From the Private Sector
Because the current infrastructure supporting the trucking industry remains insufficient to address the shortage of
Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary
temporary truck parking, many new private companies are emerging to meet the need.
Truck Park Management (TPM) recently announced a nationwide rollout of its operations. Headquartered in Little Rock, AK, the company aims to solve the urgent issues faced by truck drivers and fleet owners by offering a reservation-based, secure parking platform across the United States, according to Danny Loe, CEO.
A key component of TPM’s innovative approach is the Trucklots software and app, a dedicated technology platform designed exclusively for real-time parking reservations by drivers and fleets as well as lot management capabilities for parking lot operators. This user-friendly app and its complete integration offering streamlines the process of finding secure, reservable parking, ensuring ease of access and convenience for its users from the point of booking to checking in and out from the reserved stay. Alongside Trucklots, TPM offers a full suite of services, including reservationenabled overnight parking, long-term parking, and parking lot management.
Another solution is Truck Parking Club, a network of instantly reservable hourly, daily, weekly and monthly truck parking locations throughout the United States comprised of property owners with locations adequate for truck parking. Evan Shelley, Co-founder, says the company is providing parking options by monetizing vacant properties for landowners.
“The lack of truck parking impacts our customers every single day,” says Evan Shelley, Co-Founder and CEO of Truck Parking Club. “We have 24/7 customer service and frequently get calls at night with drivers needing a place to park at the very last minute, oftentimes in areas they aren’t always familiar with. Whether it’s a place to park for a night, or a place to drop a trailer or leave their truck for a few days, our customers are frequently left scrambling looking for solutions that aren’t easy to find.”
TRUX Parking is another solution that offers its members with the benefits of a nation-wide network of truck parking lots. The company is working toward having a presence in every major industrial hub across the country so its members can park at a TRUX lot along every route. While the network effects will take time, according to
COO and Co-founder Joey Goodman, the company is in a rapid purchase and build mode. He notes that top-quality truck lots have such features as security cameras, high fences, industrial lighting, 24/7 gate access, WiFi access, and online payments.
Part of the solution is to continuously educate legislators, the general population, and the industry at-large about the importance of resolving this issue – and the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) is doing its part. Discussions focused on the problem and potential solutions continue to be facilitated at its annual Accelerate!
Conference & Expo and in the members-only Engage discussion platform. Redefining the Road magazine continues to publish its ongoing series of articles on the issue and potential solutions. In addition, you can download a free Truck Parking Solutions Guide at WomenInTrucking.org.
Bob’s Discount Furniture is continuing its journey of becoming the top furniture retailer in the country and we want you to join us! Driving with Bob’s o ers incredible bene ts, top pay, more home time and all with the consistency and job security you deserve!
Apply now at:
https://careers.mybobs.com/us/en
Customer Feedback: Going from GOOD to GREAT
When companies in transportation “operationalize” diversity and inclusion (D&I) it can positively impact the experience of their customers. How? It can help companies better understand and cater to the needs and preferences of their customers and ultimately lead to market growth through a more diverse customer base. In turn, this also can lead to a more positive customer experience (CX), as customers feel valued, seen and heard.
“Customer input is the bedrock of our decisionmaking process. We leverage it to inform product roadmaps, identify new market opportunities, improve our product and service delivery, and refine our go-to-market strategies.”
— Alan Shaw, Chief Customer Officer, PCS Software
In addition, by diversifying its leadership and decision-making teams, a company can better reflect the needs and experiences of its customer base, leading to more inclusive policies and practices. This can foster a more positive company culture, which can translate into improved customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
The Value of Listening to Customers
Why is customer feedback so critical to the success of a company? According to Alan Shaw, Chief Customer Officer with PCS Software, an end-to-end TMS solution for carriers, brokers, and shippers, customer
feedback is the lifeblood of its business.
“It’s the compass that guides us toward innovation, problem-solving, and sustained relevance,” explains Shaw. “By deeply understanding our customers’ needs, challenges, and desires, we can anticipate market shifts, refine our offerings, and ultimately deliver exceptional
Alan Shaw
value. A strong customer-centric culture, fueled by robust feedback mechanisms, is the cornerstone of long-term success.”
Many experts in the customer experience acknowledge that as customers diversify, so does the customer experience. Diversity and inclusion can impact CX at three touchpoints:
1. Customer Perceptions. Opinions and insights from customers are critical. As the market gets more diverse, global and more connected, perspectives inevitably change.
2. Customers’ Wants and Needs. Customer insight should drive service and product development and delivery. Increasingly diverse customers want things that fit their unique needs and often they want to see them delivered by people who look like them.
3. What Customers See and Hear. Marketing is where customers initially experience products and solutions, and there are no do-overs in first impressions. They want to see themselves reflected in what they see and hear.
Developing a Customer Success Mindset
There are many ways in which companies can use customer feedback. Feedback can be used to evaluate customer support interactions and act faster on issues. It can be used to measure customer satisfaction after key interactions to pinpoint areas for improvement. Customer Effort Scores can be used to improve processes and minimize costly repeat interactions. Customer research can provide insights to identify pain points, explore new opportunities, and enhance the customer experience.
“Customer input is the bedrock of our decision-making process,” explains Shaw. “We leverage it to inform product roadmaps, identify new market opportunities, improve our product and service delivery, and refine our go-to-market strategies. By continuously analyzing customer feedback, we can prioritize features, enhancements, and support initiatives that directly address customer needs. This customer-centric approach ensures that our solutions remain aligned with evolving market demands and deliver exceptional value.”
PCS Software also employs a multifaceted approach to capturing feedback from its customers, continues Shaw: “Our formal channels include Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys, which provide quantitative data on customer satisfaction and loyalty. We share NPS results company-wide to foster a customer-centric mindset and drive accountability. Additionally, focus groups offer invaluable qualitative insights as we introduce new product concepts and gather feedback in a controlled environment.”
How can you get the most from customer feedback? “To excel in CX, prioritize empathy, agility, and measurement,” Shaw advises. “Cultivate a culture where every employee is a customer advocate. Embrace technology to streamline feedback collection and analysis. Most importantly, listen actively and respond promptly to customer concerns. By making customers feel heard and valued, you build trust and loyalty. Remember, customer satisfaction is not a destination, but an ongoing journey that requires continuous improvement and innovation.”
Embracing Boundaries and Self-Care in a
‘Do-It-All’
When you want to do it all–family, career, friends, adventure–self-care often can take a back seat. Even though we need to take care of ourselves to function at an optimum level and achieve the success we want, selfcare can be misconceived as a selfish act or an excuse to be lazy. A 2022 Gallup report reveals that 60% of people are emotionally detached at work, and an additional 19% are “downright miserable,” underscoring the challenge of achieving a genuine work-life balance.
Self-care is starting to be seen in a new light, both by individuals and companies. A survey conducted by The Harris Poll found that nearly 9 in 10 Americans (89%) recognize that “being lazy” can be a form of self-care, resulting in stress reduction, improved mental health, burnout prevention, and improved sleep.
When you compromise on essentials like proper rest and self-care, you risk undermining your mental health, which supports y our emotional resilience and overall psychological well-being.
World
Yvette Bitz, Director of Leave of Absence Services for Clean Harbors, a provider of environmental and industrial services, says: “Self-care is a sign of strength and selfrespect. It’s not selfish–it’s necessary for you to thrive and be the best version of yourself.”
The Myth of the Superwoman
Bitz shares how she once viewed self-care as a luxury, working tirelessly until she reached a point of burnout. She encourages women to let go of the “superwoman” ideal and instead focus on small, sustainable steps towards self-care.
“My magic wand all day long, is the ability, and it’s okay, to say no,” she says. “I had no boundaries set up. The first thing was being able to say ‘no’ and be okay with it, and stick to my guns…because outside of work, I’m always the one doing.”
Before establishing boundaries, Bitz realized that her overwhelming commitments were forcing her to sacrifice essential aspects of her well-being, particularly her health and sleep—the very foundations she needed to function optimally in all areas of her life.
Put Away the Guilt and Breathe
When you compromise on essentials like proper rest and self-care, you risk undermining your mental health, which
supports your emotional resilience and overall psychological wellbeing.
Something Bitz now does daily to help her meditate and feel better is a breathing exercise she calls “5-5-5.”
Bitz says to breathe in for five seconds, hold for five seconds, and exhale for five seconds. She says doing five sets of 5-5-5 has helped her to ground herself when she feels panicked or overwhelmed.
Make
Self-Care Your Top Priority
Bitz says it’s important to ask yourself what you can do to be the best version of yourself every day.
“What are you going to do differently than you did yesterday? Because people just do the same old, same old. They’re going to burn out, they’re going to give up, they’re going to complain more, they’re going to find excuses to cut corners,” she says. “Or, when you see someone cutting corners, get in there right away and say, ‘Hey, how are you doing?’ Catch them before they fall.”
Yvette Bitz, Clean Harbors
GenZ: Welcome to the Transportation Workforce
By 2030, members of Generation Z, or those born during the late 1990s and early 2000s, are forecast to make up about 30 percent of the workforce, says Theresa Adams, senior HR knowledge advisor with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Amongst their attributes, Gen Z has never known a world without the internet. They’re also more ethnically diverse than older generations. As trucking companies try to attract and retain members of Generation Z, the following guidelines can help: Reflect Their Diversity. A more diverse universe of potential candidates is a positive. “We want all ages and backgrounds,” says Marilyn Surber, principal and cofounder with the consulting firm, Candela Professional Group.
Appealing to Gen Z candidates often requires a different approach than
the one-size-fits-all approach to recruiting and retention that may have worked when trucking was relatively homogenous, Surber says. Today, recruiting materials should reflect the diversity of the candidates who make up Gen Z. “We have to show (candidates) people who look like them,” she adds.
Use Technology to Reach Out. Because Gen Z has grown up with technology, employers recruiting candidates from this group can often benefit by reaching out through the platforms Gen Z’ers tend to use, such as texting and social media, Adams says. “It’s really important to attract them where they’re looking,” she adds.
Emphasize Job Stability. While it’s sometimes assumed that younger workers are inveterate job-hoppers, many value stability. In a recent SHRM report, nearly
seventy percent of emerging professionals identified guaranteed hours or job stability as a very important factor when evaluating potential employers.
Highlight Flexibility and Social Commitment. Many members of Gen Z are committed to social issues and sustainability, Surber says. By offering benefits that recognize this, such as the ability to take a volunteer day once per quarter, companies can boost their appeal with these candidates.
Many Gen Z’ers are used to working where, when, and how they want. As a result, they tend to value flexibility, Adams says. In positions where it makes sense, offering the opportunity to work remotely can also help in attracting candidates.
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Marilyn Surber
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Point Out Earnings Potential and Relatively Low Investment. As the cost of college education rises, trucking careers can become more attractive, given the generally lower investment of time and money required to get started. “You can maximize your income with less time and investment upfront,” Surber says.
The key is communicating the opportunities available, as well as the ability to make a good wage, Adams says.
Train Managers Working with Gen Z. The pandemic lockdowns occurred as many members of Gen Z were in their teens and beginning to learn to navigate the world as adults. This, along with the proliferation of technology, may have affected some employees’ soft skills, such as professional communication and time management. Successful employers will train managers to effectively communicate with and help develop Gen Z employees, Adams says. She adds that having strong managers and supervisors are critical factors in employees’ decisions to remain with a company.
Develop Opportunities for Professional Growth. About onethird of emerging Gen Z professionals expect to stay at their next or current job for four years or more, according to the SHRM report. However, twice that many would stay if provided consistent opportunities to build in-demand skills. “This generation is hungry to learn,” Adams says.
Providing a peer coach can also be helpful. “After the isolation of COVID, many want to feel like they’re part of a team,” according to Adams.
Tips to Attract and Retain GenZ
✔ Reflect Their Diversity
✔ Use Technology to Reach Out
✔ Emphasize Job Stability
✔ Highlight Flexibility and Social Commitment
✔ Point Out Earnings Potential and Relatively Low Investment
✔ Train Managers Working with Gen Z
✔ Develop Opportunities for Professional Growth
✔ Highlight The Use of Technology in the Industry
PAVING
KENDRA CATHERMAN
DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION
“As Director of Transportation at Performance Foodservice, I lead an incredible team of drivers who keep our operations moving with dedication and precision. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, and I’m
WIT Names Alyssa Kirkman New Membership Leader
With nearly 20 years in membership program management, project coordination and leadership, Alyssa Kirkman has the experience to grow and add value to the WIT community. In her newly created position of Senior Director of Membership, she will lead oversight and execution of all aspects of membership, engagement, retention, and further recruitment for WIT.
Kirkman previously was Communications and Marketing Manager-Membership with IFMA, the world’s largest international association for facility management professionals where she supported 24,000 members in more than 100 countries. She also was in membership and marketing leadership roles with CORFAC International, the National Glass Association, and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.
Kirkman’s enthusiasm for her job is clearly evident. “I am excited to support WIT’s mission and empower women in their careers,” she says. “If we enhance WIT’s membership program, we can make an even
bigger impact on the industry. WIT has done a great job of growing organically. We now have an opportunity to improve how we engage and work with our current members. I’m also excited to support the industry as a whole and grow our reach so that more women are supported in their careers.”
Since hired in August, Kirkman has been busy getting acclimated to the Women In Trucking community. “In my short time at WIT, I’ve enjoyed getting to know the amazing team and learning more about the association,” she says. “I can’t wait to meet members, get to know more about what they need and figure out how we can better support their unique needs.”
“We now have an opportunity to improve how we engage and work with our current members.” — Alyssa Kirkman, WIT Senior Director of Membership
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
It’s a common phrase when talking about photography. With this in mind, one of the goals of the I Heart Trucking™ Photo Contest is to challenge entrants to submit photos they take that speaks to their careers and love for the trucking industry.
This year, more than 250 participants showcased their love and pride for the trucking industry in the Women In Trucking Association’s tenth annual photo contest, according to Brynn Aiello, Manager of the I Heart Trucking™ Photo Contest. Submissions varied
in a wide gambit, from posters and T-shirts to signs and balloons. Nearly 10,000 votes were cast to determine the People’s Choice Winners and a panel of judges determined their favorites for the Judges’ Choice Winners.
To view all photo submissions in this year’s contest, visit WomenInTrucking.org and click I Heart Trucking™ Photo Contest under Community.
Judges’ Choice Winner: Unboxed Potential
From New England to South Florida, across more than 30 locations, The Pete Store women love trucking and are unboxing their potential from sales and service all the way up to executive leadership.
Submitted by Mallory Bivens, The Pete Store
People’s Choice Winner: Driving into the Future!
Playing with small trucks grows big dreams. Women in trucking are driving the aspirations of little girls who love trucking. Our office is on a factory floor, a test shop, a corporate headquarters, or the driver’s seat. We are moving and building a better world by delivering safe, sustainable and quality trucks. These women in trucking are helping us move and build a better world - paving a legacy for generations of women to move the world we want to live in, and ensuring all roads are open to everyone.
Submitted by Amrita Rane, Volvo Group North America
People’s Choice First Runner Up: ADM Trucking.
Our ADM Trucking fleet is heavily influenced by strong, diverse and talented women who lead the way in engagement, training, and communication. Whether you are a part of our Professional Driver Fleet, Office Support, or Management Team – everyone at ADM Trucking contributes to our never-ending mission to Feed the World. Our drivers are the face of that mission. Submitted by Heather Reed, ADM Trucking
Judges’ Choice Second Runner Up: Transformer Truck
Sometimes you have to transform and adapt to new and different situations. It is great to be a part of a Team that appreciates me and my skills. Women In Trucking…Roll Out! Submitted by Erica Cox, Old Dominion Freight Line
Judges’ Choice First Runner Up: Making Trucks Happen
Women from the Mt. Holly Plant and a few of their children and grandchildren gathered together for a generational photo to show our pride in our roles, how we celebrate diversity and to show our hope of making trucks happen generation after generation. Making trucks happen derives from the acronym of the Mt. Holly Plant (MTH). Submitted by Kristin Rowe, Daimler Truck North America
People’s Choice Second Runner Up: Women Empowering the Trucking Industry.
This inspiring image captures a moment of triumph and unity, as a group of women in the trucking industry stand proudly beside the truck they built together. The photo not only celebrates their individual achievements, but also highlights the collective strength and empowerment of women making significant strides in the trucking industry. This powerful visual serves as a beacon of inspiration and a call to action for continued progress towards gender equality in all sectors. Submitted by Marisa Compean, Peterbilt
SPARK
SUCCESS
Realize your true potential in an industry and company as diverse as the landscape it covers. As a dedicated group of now over 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 collective success. Explore a number of opportunities across various role types, including:
Truck drivers
Warehouse operations
Maintenance and collision technicians
Ready to shape the future of transportation together?
Customer service
Corporate/IT
Field operations leadership
Find Your Career With Penske Today penske.jobs
Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
MORE THAN YOU REALIZE
Drive with Pride: Honoring Our Veterans Together
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