What is your favourite thing about working in the trucking industry? 

I enjoy that there are no two days alike. It is never the same thing twice. There is so much knowledge in the industry. It's not moving freight from point A to B, there is so much more that I am learning every day.

Do you have a mentor who helped you when you first started? What is the best advice/guidance they gave you?

I did have a mentor when I first started. My stepmom was a driver for the same company as me. She was always my late-night call to talk to about the challenges of the day or to explain things to me that I did not know. She took me out on the road for a week long LCV ride-along to help me learn the ins and outs so when my drivers called I understood equipment they were referring to problems they were having, so I could help problem solve for them. In my current role, I have a lot of mentors. We have a strong management team who all started behind the wheel, so they have advice and knowledge. The best advice and guidance I was given is always to ask questions and you will be supported. Everyone wants to help!

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in entering the industry? 

My advice is to have confidence in yourself. As a female in a male-dominated industry, I think you need to stand by your decision and beliefs to gain respect from others and to show that you understand what you are talking about and believe what you are talking about.

How has working in the trucking industry provided you new opportunities to grow in your career?

Working in the trucking industry has opened up a whole new career that I didn’t even know I was going to get involved in. I have a management degree in the hotel and restaurant industry, so it was a big change for me but I feel the principles of management have been applied to trucking and it has given me the opportunity to move forward from a CSR role to a supervisor role.

What do you think is the most important story the trucking industry has to tell?

I think the most important story the trucking industry has to tell is it takes a community. We can't get anything anywhere without the trucking industry. I think that people do not see how big trucking is in the world. They bring your food and your clothes and I think that transportation has so much to share with the world.

A common misconception of the industry is that trucking companies lack good business practices…Being an employee of a trucking company, what has been the best part about being employed by a trucking business?

The best part about being employed by a trucking business is the opportunity. We don’t just throw freight on a trailer and say go – there are rules and procedures to ensure safety

What might you tell a parent who was hesitant about letting their young daughter find a career in the trucking industry?

What might I tell a parent about letting their daughter into the industry… I think the industry is changing. It is not how we used to view it. It doesn’t have the same types of drivers that people used to fear. Today we have women involved in safety and in other roles. Trucking is more than driving—so maybe you're not confident on the road, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for you. There is safety, HR, there’s storage, operations, accounting, finance, all that type of stuff where females can fit in and the more females we attract the more we will drive the negativity away from the industry

How would you say that safety is prioritized each day in your work and in the industry?

At our company, we have a Safety and Compliance officer who is out in the yard every day, checking on the operations of the business and making himself available. Safety has been taking a huge step in the industry over the last few years. More people are getting certification to provide better training to industry professionals.

What do you think the future of the trucking industry looks like?

I think the future of the trucking industry looks very digital. E-logs are rolling out to be mandatory, trucks are changing, there are no longer manuals. Getting drivers using their phones and using tablets. As soon as deliveries are done customers have an invoice. I think tech is going to play a huge role.

Where do you think that young people fit into the trucking industry?

I think young people fit into the industry as our future. As drivers get older and retire, we need to bring in new drivers, we need to bring in young people into the offices. It gives you a different view on safety and how to do the job and it will bring a new perspective to the industry., Young people are needed as we cannot hang onto everyone forever.

What is your favourite thing about working in the trucking industry? 

My favourite thing about working in the trucking industry is that every day is different. There is always a new challenge that presents itself that you need to work and flex your brain to solve.

Do you have a mentor who helped you when you first started? What is the best advice/guidance they gave you? 

At Richards Transport, Al Fisher, he was the VP of Finance there – he was great!

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in entering the industry?

My advice to anyone entering the industry is to stay organized. Things move fast and surprises are common. If you are organized, that will make your life easier.

What is your favourite thing about working in the trucking industry?

My favourite thing about working in the trucking industry is the freedom and independence.

Do you have a mentor who helped you when you first started? What is the best advice/guidance they gave you?

Yes, the guy who hired me for aviation fuel. He was great to learn from and said, “as long as you have your 1A, you’ll always have a job.”

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in entering the industry?

The advice I would give to someone entering the trucking industry is to be prepared. Trip planning, weather statements, highway reports, and proper clothing. The more “tools” you have in the “toolbox” the better.

How has working in the trucking industry provided you with new opportunities to grow in your career?

Working in the industry has given me the opportunity to meet new people in varying jobs and different types of industries.

What do you think is the most important story the trucking industry has to tell?

I think the most important story that needs to be told is, the people who drive trucks are diverse and interesting. We aren’t all the typical “trucker” stereotype.

A common misconception of the industry is that trucking companies lack good business practices…Being an employee of a trucking company, what has been the best part about being employed by a trucking business?

The best part about being employed by a trucking company is, a family-run business really appreciates an honest job well done.

What might you tell a parent who was hesitant about letting their young daughter find a career in the trucking industry?

I would tell them that working in trucking is a great way for a young person to learn independence whilst having freedom. Being a truck driver is also an excellent way to see the country.

How would you say that safety is prioritized each day in your work and in the industry?

Accountability and Audits. I am held to a high standard and held accountable if that standard is not met. Conversely, I am rewarded for maintaining a safe record.

What do you think the future of the trucking industry looks like?

I think the future of the trucking industry looks much the same but with greener technology and driver assists. Technology has come a long way in personal vehicles; we need to implement some of that into trucks.

Where do you think that young people fit into the trucking industry?

Young people are the future. In the fuel hauling trade specifically, I see a lot of people ready to retire and soon, we will need young people to replace them.

Do you have a mentor who helped you when you first started? What is the best advice/guidance they gave you?

I did have a mentor. My first boss was responsible for getting me my license. He said “Being a professional driver is about driving for the other guys on the road, not just yourself.”

How has working in the trucking industry provided you with new opportunities to grow in your career?

Working in the trucking industry has provided me with pay and opportunity advancement through multiple employers.

What do you think is the most important story the trucking industry has to tell?

I think the most important story the trucking industry has to tell is how much society relies on commercial vehicle transport.

A common misconception of the industry is that trucking companies lack good business practices…Being an employee of a trucking company, what has been the best part about being employed by a trucking business?

The best part about being employed in the trucking industry is the unspoken relationships between drivers. We just know other commercial drivers see the same poor judgement by other civilian drivers on the road, and it creates an unspeakable bond between drivers knowing we have a responsibility to keep everyone safe on the roads.

What might you tell a parent who was hesitant about letting their young daughter find a career in the trucking industry?

I would tell them that there is good pay, good opportunity and that there is no reason for them to be held back if they are interested.

What do you think the future of the trucking industry looks like? 

I think the future of the trucking industry will see bigger units all hauling to single offload sites, and from there, smaller units will proceed with the loads to get them to their final destinations.

Where do you think that young people fit into the trucking industry?

I think that new drivers need more placement in companies.