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24 • December 15-31, 2020 Features THETRUCKER.COM T Meet WITney: Women In Trucking unveils new driver ambassador trailer THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES PLOVER Wis. — The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) unveiled its new driver ambassador trailer — officially dubbed “WITney” — during the 2020 Accelerate! Virtual Conference & Expo last month. WIT launched its driver ambassador program in February to help raise awareness of the nonprofit organization’s mission, promote the career opportunities women have in trucking, celebrate the accomplishments of women in the industry, remove obstacles faced by female truck drivers, and increase membership for the organization. Kellylynn McLaughlin, a professional over-the-road commercial motor vehicle driver and training engineer for Schneider National, is the official WIT Driver Ambassador; the program is managed by Debbie Sparks, vice president of WIT. Since the driver ambassador program’s launch, McLaughlin has provided interviews with industry media and has spoken at driving schools, associations, Girl Scout events, and other industry events. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted her in-person speaking engagements, McLaughlin pivoted by taking to social media to share helpful information in her “A Day in the Life of a Driver” video series. In addition, she writes monthly blogs for WIT. During the next phase of the program, McLaughlin will soon travel the country, hauling the eye-catching WIT-branded trailer. “ I cannot wait to hit the road with our new expo trailer. It’s going to be a powerful and very visible symbol of what women have to offer the freight industry.” — Kellylynn McLaughlin Official WIT Ambassador A handful of trailer wrap manufacturers submitted concepts and bids for the design; the WIT driver ambassador task force selected the final concept from Turbo Studio. The official trailer wrap features an empowered woman wearing a superhero cape and grasping a steering wheel, along with the messages “Redefining the Road,” “Safe, Strong, Independent” and “You Can Do It!” Turbo Graphics will install the wrap. Inside the trailer is an educational mobile unit that introduces the career of professional truck driving, features personal success stories from female drivers, and shares the history of WIT and its mission. Interactive kiosks Courtesy: Women In Trucking The Women In Trucking Association’s official driver ambassador trailer houses a mobile educational unit designed to promote the role of women in the industry. will quiz visitors on their knowledge of the trucking industry. Visitors can also experience a state-of-the-art driver simulator, donated by Advanced Training Systems, and check out a display of a woman’s industry uniform. As many in the industry know, professional drivers like to name their rigs. To engage its supporters, WIT called on its members and the industry at large to submit name suggestions for the trailer. More than 100 submissions were received, including Luella (named after the first female commercial truck driver), Tanya Trucker, Wander Woman, Willa Storm and WITney – an homage to the association’s abbreviation. After receiving the most votes, WITney was selected as the official name of the WIT driver ambassador trailer. “I cannot wait to hit the road with our new expo trailer,” McLaughlin said. “It’s going to be a powerful and very visible symbol of what women have to offer the freight industry. I will be so proud to haul it.” Numerous sponsors have helped bring the trailer to life, including Schneider, Walmart, Michelin, Cummins, Freightliner, Bolt Custom Trucks, TVC ProDriver, Arrow Truck, Safety4Her, Juno Jones Shoes, Thermo King, Koesters, and Patriot Lift. Additional sponsors are welcome. “The driver ambassador program illustrates how a community can come together and bring a vision to life. Without the support of our sponsors, this would not have been possible,” said WIT’s Sparks. 8 Aim your camera Find the best truck-driving jobs as well news, videos and job resources ... all in one place! at the code to find jobs.
THETRUCKER.COM Features December 15-31, 2020 • 25 b Bling from page 23 b Courtesy: Ken Armstrong Ken Armstrong, co-driver for Tri-State Motor Transit’s Folds of Honor Truck, said the truck helps raise awareness about Folds of Honor’s mission to provide scholarships to children and spouses of service members who were disabled or killed in the line of duty. b Honor from page 23 b after her father was killed in Afghanistan. “You can just see what goes on in the minds of a family after they lose a loved one overseas,” Armstrong said. “She spoke very positively of the whole Folds of Honor [organization] and how they stepped forward to help her achieve her dreams.” The sacrifices of service members and their families are a reality for Armstrong and his original co-driver of the truck, Ken Williams — both are military veterans. Armstrong’s new co-driver, Steven Caudill, who joined the company in June, is also a veteran. “One of the prime reasons that we were assigned to this truck is because we are veterans, and we professionally represent not only our employer, but Folds of Honor,” Armstrong said. Professionalism and safety are key to Armstrong, who said he works to keep the truck as clean as possible while on the road. The truck and its drivers have made a positive impression on Tri-State’s customers, he added. “Our customers just love this truck, whether they’re military or government or just commercial,” he said. “They really love this truck and what it represents. They’ve contacted our company to talk about us, or talk about the truck, or both us and the truck, because we really take [our work] seriously.” Every time Armstrong and Caudill meet a customer, they say the most important words a driver can say: “Thank you. We appreciate your business,” Armstrong noted. Armstrong said he also takes pride in his professional appearance. Even before he joined Tri-State and was assigned to the Folds of Honor truck, he began ordering custommade work shirts from the Joplin 44 Petro and the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott. Every shirt is embroidered with the American flag. “Customers really appreciate that,” he said. “They like a professionally dressed, clean, well-groomed driver.” Just as he seeks to represent his company in a courteous, professional manner, trucking companies must put their best foot forward when representing the industry, he added. “What I really love about Tri-State is that they are very proactive in presenting a positive image, not just about themselves, but also about worthy causes like Folds of Honor … and projecting a positive image for the trucking industry in general,” he said. “They’re very proactive, and I like that.” 8 International, which she has affectionately named Ruby as an homage to a passage from Proverbs 31: “She is more precious than rubies.” Across the country, Rene Anderson, a driver of 22 years, went for a brighter look this year by adding festive lights to the grille and around the inside of the windshield of her 2012 Peterbilt 587. “I live in my truck and decorate for major holidays every year, but Christmas is my favorite,” Anderson said. The lights are powered by extension cords linked to a 3,000-watt inverter inside the truck. Of course, outdoor-specific cords are used for the grill lights, while regular extension cords take care of the inside of the truck. Anderson, who is currently leased to Hallahan Transport of La Crosse, Wisconsin, said it took her about two days to decorate her truck, but said she enjoys having a bit of Christmas comfort as she rolls through December. Decorating isn’t all about the outside of the truck. Aschanti Abernethy, who is originally from Germany, and is based in Florida but primarily calls the road home, has a Christmas tree riding shotgun in her 2019 Volvo VNL, which she says makes her truck feel “homey” during the holiday season. Abernethy has been driving for about two-and-ahalf years for Bulmaks Inc., a family-owned company. She said Christmas is her favorite holiday, and being on the road doesn’t keep her from enjoying the season. Do you have a decked-out truck you’d like to share with us? Submit a photo at thetrucker.com/ newstip. 8 Courtesy: Aschanti Abernethy Aschanti Abernethy has a Christmas tree riding in the passenger seat of her 2019 Volvo VNL. b Rhythm from page 13 b drivers — the lonely life of the road has consequences. Or maybe he just thought the ending needed to come quickly and with little for listeners to be happy about. But one thing is certain: Irving didn’t enjoy the success of his hit song for long. Following the release of “Pinball Machine” by Starday Records in February 1960, Irving was diagnosed with leukemia. He did see his record reach #13 on the country charts, and saw two more singles released — “Gooseball Brown” in August of that year, followed by “Truckers Vitis” in November. But that ended Lonnie Irving’s flirt with stardom. On Dec. 2, 1960, only six months after being diagnosed with leukemia, Irving died (ironically or maybe eerily) from pneumonia, a complication of the disease. He was buried near the North Carolina town where he grew up. Until next time, allow me to ask one favor. If you know of a trucking song as sad as “Pinball Machine” with an equally sad story surrounding it, let me know. I’ll bet we can trace it back to Jimmie Rodgers. 8
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Page 15 and 16: — Advertorial — CAT Scale celeb
Page 17 and 18: Business December 15-31, 2020 • 1
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