PLOVER, Wis. — The Women In Trucking Association Monday released its second annual list of Top Women to Watch in Transportation.
The editorial staff of WIT’s Redefining the Road magazine selected these individuals for their significant career accomplishments in the past 12 to 18 months as well as their efforts to promote gender diversity.
“This year, we’ve identified 53 women who stand out as top performers in a field of highly qualified nominees,” said Brian Everett, group editorial director and publisher of Redefining the Road magazine. “They represent a diverse range of company types and a variety of roles and responsibilities, showcasing the many career opportunities for women in the transportation industry.”
The 2019 Top Women to Watch in Transportation work for motor carriers, third-party logistics companies, equipment manufacturers, retailer truck dealers, professional services companies, technology innovators, and private fleets. Their job functions include corporate management (23 percent), operations/safety (21 percent), sales/marketing (18 percent), human resources/talent management (13 percent), customer service (6 percent), engineering/product development (2 percent), and professional drivers (9 percent).
“It is exciting to see so many remarkable women not only pushing the envelope in their own careers but also supporting women around them,” said Ellen Voie, WIT president and CEO. “Celebrating the accomplishments of women in our industry is central to the mission of Women In Trucking, so we’re especially pleased to recognize these industry leaders.”
The 2019 Top Women to Watch in Transportation include Tina Albert, assistant plant manager, Peterbilt Motors Co.; Tami Allensworth, senior vice president, customer experience, J.B. Hunt Transport; Lisa Angara, enterprise architect manager, Navistar; Cathy Bauder, driver, owner-operator, Steven Davis Trucking; Courtnay Beckham, sales specialist, SelecTrucks of Atlanta/Peach State Trucks; Mona Beedle, founder, Trucking Angels for Christ; Josephine Berisha, senior vice president, global compensation and benefits, XPO Logistics; Tracy Bird, branch manager, Trimac Transportation Inc.; Melissa “Missy” Blair, program manager, Center for Transportation Training, Pima Community College; Donna Boesen, customer service leader, Veriha Trucking; Jennifer Braun, vice president, Kansas City operations, Trinity Logistics; Debra Brunton, group director, maintenance, Ryder; Angie Buchanan, vice president, operations, Melton Truck Lines; Cynthia Champion, transportation safety manager, Martin Transport Inc.; Dawn Cochran, professional driver, Old Dominion Freight Line; April Coolidge, driver/trainer, Walmart; Kelly Cargill Crow, external communications manager, FedEx Freight; Mezzalina “Lina” Dejongh, branch manager, Trimac Transportation; Shayne Fanning, B2B communication and events, Michelin North America Inc.; Shirley Foley, vice president, DTS Logistics, LLC; Kristen Forecki, vice president, operations, Convoy; Trish Garland, corporate vice president, strategic services, Estes Express Lines; Emma Gelacek, safety manager, Garner Trucking; Mary Ann Hudson, executive vice president, Bibby Transportation Finance, and Tracy Jahnel, controller, Sterling Transportation Services.
Also, Tamara Jalving, vice president, human resources, Holland; Tracy Jonas, operations manager, JX Enterprises Inc.; Chelsea Kendrick, customer education manager, KeepTruckin; Tina Lewis, director, legal services, TVC Pro-Driver; Mary Malone, vice president, business development, Stay Metrics; Krissy Manzano, senior director of sales, enterprise & mid-market team, KeepTruckin Inc.; Judy McTigue, assistant general manager–operations, Kenworth Truck Co.; Mackenzie Melton, recruiting manager, Garner Trucking; Melissa Nishan, vice president, driver recruiting, Epes Transport System; Katlin Owens, corporate communications manager, CFI; Jennifer Piatt, elite support and diversity manager, Stoops Freightliner; Jennifer Radcliffe, president, Insight Technology; and Michelle Richard, vice president, human resources, Saia LTL Freight.
Also, Erika Rios, retail sales consultant, Arrow Truck Sales; Amanda Rodriguez, account manager/regional sales consultant, Navistar; Jane Rosaasen, plant manager–Mount Holly Truck Manufacturing Plant, Daimler Trucks North America; Roxie Sanford, director, driver services, Winnipeg Motor Express; Crystal Sequin, vice president, distribution channel strategy, Navistar; Leah Shaver, chief operating officer, The National Transportation Institute; Shannon Spence, trailer sales representative, Stoops Freightliner–Quality Trailer; Amanda Thompson, vice president, human resources, U.S. Xpress; Melissa Tomlen, senior vice president, accountability and Performance, YRC Freight; Carianne Torrissi, partner, Goldberg Segalla; Sauny Tucker, vice president, Art Pape Transfer DBA/ Tucker Freight Lines; Connie Vaughn, government relations manager, McKee Foods Corp.; Elaine Weackler, customer service representative, Veriha Trucking; Megan Wells, director of employee services, Veriha Trucking; and Heather Wilson, chief communications officer, BMO Transportation Finance.
The women will be featured in the upcoming edition of WIT’s Redefining the Road magazine and online at www.womenintrucking.org/womentowatch2019.
Women In Trucking Association, Inc. is a nonprofit association established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry. Membership is not limited to women, as 17 percent of its members are men who support the mission.
For more information, visit http://www.womenintrucking.org or call 888-464-9482.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
