Five Good Things in trucking: Top Women to Watch in Transportation and slugging away for SCF

It's St. Patrick's Day, and whether you believe in the luck of the Irish or not, the excellence exhibited by those in the trucking industry shows that they don't need it—just hard work, ingenuity, and the ability to work with others within the industry and outside of it.

Please pass along good news for our weekly Five Good Things blog by email or through our LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter accounts.

WIT announces Top Women to Watch in Transportation

WIT honored 86 women in its annual Top Women to Watch in Transportation list.

The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has released its sixth annual list of Top Women to Watch in Transportation. The editorial staff of WIT’s Redefining the Road, its official magazine, selected these individuals for their career accomplishments in the past 12 to 18 months as well as their efforts to promote gender diversity. The list can be viewed at WIT’s Top Women to Watch in Transportation webpage.

“Countless women in transportation are making significant strides in their careers while having a positive impact on their company’s success,” said Jennifer Hedrick, WIT's president and CEO. “As part of WIT’s mission to recognize the achievements of individuals, for the past six years our official magazine Redefining the Road has used this recognition program to acknowledge the accomplishments of impressive female professionals who work in our industry.”

Those recognized on the 2023 Top Women to Watch in Transportation list work for a broad range of company types, including motor carriers, third-party logistics companies, equipment manufacturers, retailer truck dealers, professional services companies, technology providers, and private fleets. Their job functions include corporate management (23%), operations/safety (36%), human resources/talent management (8%), sales/marketing (20%), and engineering/product development (8%). Another 5% are professional drivers.

Shell Rotella slugs away for St. Christopher fund

Shell Rotella will auction off this Louisville Slugger signed by Hall of Fame Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. to raise money for the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund.

Shell Rotella has teamed up with the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund (SCF) through an online auction for a customized Louisville Slugger baseball bat signed by Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. The auction will run from noon ET on March 21 through 11:59 a.m. ET on April 5, with all proceeds going to St. Christopher Fund. The bat also will be displayed at the Mid-America Trucking Show from March 30 to April 1 in the Shell Rotella booth, No. 34180.

The St. Christopher Fund helps over-the-road and regional truck drivers and their families when an illness or injury keeps them from working.

“We are proud to be building a program of engaging activities throughout 2023 with the St. Christopher Fund to support hardworking truck drivers across the U.S.,” Shell Rotella Brand Manager Annie Peter said. “It is important for us to support this tremendous trucking community through a charity that understands the trucking industry and can give back during times of need in an impactful way.”

Supporters can head to the auction’s landing page for a chance to swing big for a great cause. The winner of the auction will be announced on the Shell Rotella social media channels on April 6 and will receive the autographed bat with a display case and wall mount.

“Collaborating with an organization with deep roots in the trucking community like Shell Rotella presents natural synergies of unwavering support and action for truck drivers and their families,” said SCF's director of philanthropy, Shannon Currier.

Bendix sponsors run to fund schools

Bendix will sponsor the 2023 Eagle Run. The race has raised more than $500,000 over the past 20 years for the Avon Schools Educational Endowment Fund, which receives half of the race’s proceeds each year and provides grants to enable teachers to develop creative opportunities for students.

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems will be the exclusive presenting sponsor of the 2023 Eagle Run, a fundraising event for the Avon Schools Educational Endowment Fund and other local charities. Bendix has also committed to serving as the presenting sponsor of the race in 2024 and 2025. The Eagle Run, scheduled for May 27 at Avon High School, is marking its 21st year.

Walkers and runners of all ages can participate in the Eagle Run, which offers a 5-mile run, a 5K run/walk, and a 1-mile kids’ fun run. The race has raised more than $500,000 over the past 20 years for the Avon Schools Educational Endowment Fund, which receives half of the race’s proceeds each year and provides grants that enable teachers to develop creative opportunities for students when public funding is not available. This year’s race will also support the French Creek Family YMCA, Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS), and other local charities.

“At Bendix, we have a long-standing passion for encouraging the journey of health and wellness for our employees and their family members, alongside deep community support for the places we call home,” said Maria Gutierrez, Bendix senior director of environmental, social, and governance (ESG). “Proudly supporting this popular and impactful event enables us to do both in a very meaningful way that puts our values into action.”

On race day, Bendix will have one of its tractor-trailers equipped with the latest advanced driver assistance system technologies so those in attendance can see a big rig up close and talk to experts from the company’s demo team.

“Over the past 20 years, the Eagle Run has become an important annual tradition for the Avon community as we kick off the Memorial Day holiday weekend,” stated Superintendent Ben Hodge of Avon Local Schools. “The event averages nearly 1,000 participants/runners each year, and approximately half of those are our own Avon schoolchildren. The race is an amazing family activity, and we are happy to welcome Bendix as our presenting sponsor.”

CVSA opens International Driver Excellence Award nominations

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is accepting nominations for its International Driver Excellence Award (IDEA), an annual award that recognizes an extraordinary commercial motor vehicle driver and that driver’s commitment to public safety.

CVSA has also doubled the monetary award for the IDEA winner from the previous amount of $2,500 to $5,000 this year.

The 2023 IDEA recipient and one guest will also receive complimentary airfare to Grapevine, Texas, along with a two-night, one-room hotel to attend the CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition awards luncheon, where they will receive their check and crystal trophy.

The nomination form can be filled out and submitted with the required documentation online.

“Commercial drivers are the backbone of North America’s supply chain, ensuring people and goods reach their destinations safely,” said CVSA President Maj. Chris Nordloh with the Texas Department of Public Safety. “IDEA is the perfect way for a motor carrier to honor and recognize drivers for their vital work.”

Readers can learn about previous IDEA winners on CVSA’s website.

JJ Trucking raises cancer awareness

Art City Wraps helped the Lauersdorf family of JJ Trucking create a mobile billboard with one of their trucks in support of pancreatic cancer awareness. The effort was in honor of JJ Trucking owner Brian Lauersdorf who died from pancreatic cancer earlier this year.

JJ Trucking in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, has turned one of its trailers into a mobile billboard for pancreatic cancer awareness through touring events associated with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).

The project began when JJ Trucking’s owner, Brian Lauersdorf, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His wife Marilyne and daughter Kimberly, collaborated with PanCAN, along with Art City Wraps in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to design a “Trucking for a Cure” visual and educational message driving home what people should know about the risks and symptoms of pancreatic cancer.

Marilyne and Brian’s son James Lauersdorf, along with Kimberly, surprised Brian with the finished truck just in time for him to drive it for the first time in the nearby Plymouth Christmas parade. The family and Plymouth community were moved by the generosity, support and commitment to the cause.

Brian Lauersdorf died from the cancer earlier this year, but Lauersdorf family honors Brian’s memory with the “Trucking for a Cure” semi truck, which continues to make its rounds with PanCAN touring events.