Wendy Leavitt

Director, editorial & market development
Fleet Owner

 

Wendy Leavitt joined Fleet Owner in 1998 after serving as editor-in-chief of Trucking Technology magazine for four years.

She began her career in the trucking industry at Kenworth Truck Company in Kirkland, WA where she spent 16 years—the first five years as safety and compliance manager in the engineering department and more than a decade as the company’s manager of advertising and public relations. She has also worked as a book editor, guided authors through the self-publishing process and operated her own marketing and public relations business.

Wendy has a Masters Degree in English and Art History from Western Washington University, where, as a graduate student, she also taught writing.  

Articles by Wendy Leavitt
Going paperless to drive up driver efficiency

PeopleNet, a part of Trimble’s International Transportation and Logistics division, recently announced that its Professional Services group has helped two oil and gas industry fleets, Heckmann Corporation and Blueknight Energy Partners, make significant efficiency gains and realize big cost savings at the same time.

Private fleets well-positioned for success says Vieth

CINCINNATI. “The sharing of best practices has helped to foster world-class distribution companies,” Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst for ACT Research Company, LLC, told the audience of private fleet executives, managers and their supplier partners at the annual National Private Truck Council Education Management Conference and Exhibition held here this week.

Safest fleets honored by NPTC/Bridgestone Bandag

CINCINNATI. Companies that experienced the lowest ratio of accidents per million miles for the past year were honored here Tuesday at the National Private Truck Council Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition along with fleets that have made “outstanding and/or improved safety records based on their crash rates.” 

Clear route

COMPANY: FFE Transportation Services Inc., a business unit of Frozen Food Express Industries Inc.

OPERATION: Temperature-controlled truckload and less-than-truckload carriage focusing on the transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo and perishable goods

Plan for new HOS rules as written, advises NPTC’s Schweitzer

CINCINNATI. Richard P. Schweitzer, general council/government affairs for the National Private Truck Council (NPTC), delivered his annual legislative and regulatory update during the opening general session of NPTC’s Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition here this morning. Concerning the pending changes to driver Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, his advice was direct: “Plan on the new rules going into effect on July 1 as they are written.”

DriveCam’s Josh Botnen takes Top CTP Graduate award

CINCINNATI.  The National Private Truck Council (NPTC) honored those who earned the organization’s Certified Transportation Professional (CTP) designation at the general membership meeting which opened NPTC’s 2013 Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition here yesterday. Josh Botnen, senior product manager for DriveCam, Inc., graduated at the top of the CTP class of 2013, which included 51 total graduates.

Energy expenditures will decline according to U.S. Energy Information Administration annual “Energy Outlook”

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) began releasing its annual Energy Outlook study for 2013 this week. The study is being released in stages from April 15 to May 2, beginning with legislation and regulations and ending with a look at the impact of natural gas.

Road/bridge tolling advocates meeting in Philadelphia

The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association’s (IBTTA)Transportation Finance and Mileage-Based User Fee Symposium is meeting in Philadelphia, PA this week. The organization is the worldwide association representing toll facility owners, operators and the businesses that serve them.

Aegis survey finds companies adopting “zero tolerance” policies on distracted driving 1

According to the recently published results of Aegis’ “Measuring Corporate Attitudes to Employee Distracted Driving” survey, most companies have already adopted a strict policy on distracted driving (71%) and those that have not are planning to do so-- and soon. Among the 29% of companies without an existing policy, the survey finds that 52% plan to adopt a policy.

Boston Marathon explosions kill at least two

Two explosions rocked Boston this afternoon near the finish line for the world-famous Boston Marathon, killing at least two people and injuring many others. As of this time, no person or group has claimed responsibility for what is being called a “terrorist attack”and no suspects have been arrested. 

The White House Office of the Press Secretary just released remarks delivered by President Obama following the blast:

Getting on with it

There is nothing like hearing the voices of our readers, of the people who own and manage fleets across America, to bring news and events to vital, vivid life. Fleet Owner’s recent reader survey (see pages 8 and 36) gave us the opportunity to hear many of your voices loud and clear.

What’s on your mind

While the economy may officially be in recovery mode—at least according to many politicians, pollsters, and various economic indicators—fleet owners and executives still have plenty of issues to keep them awake at night, based upon the results of a recent reader survey conducted by Fleet Owner.

Overlooked cost savings opportunity—energy-efficient facilities

A new webinar is available online that is designed to help fleets learn more about an often-overlooked cost savings opportunity that could very significantly impact the bottom line—making energy improvements at corporate offices, maintenance facilities, warehouses and terminals.

Cooper Standard expanding trucking industry presence

Louisville, KY. Cooper Standard’s Performance Products Group chose the Mid-America Trucking Show to announce the company’s intention to significantly expand its footprint in the commercial vehicle market segment. They displayed their sealing and exterior trim products, fluid delivery systems, thermal and emissions systems, and anti-vibration solutions at the show and hosted a reception to celebrate their new initiative.

Prime installing TrailerTail on new trailers

Louisville, KY. Refrigerated carrier, Prime Inc., is installing TrailerTail aerodynamic fairings from ATDynamics on all remaining new trailers purchased by Prime in 2013, according to an announcement by ATDynamics last Friday at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS).

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