The trucking industry is all about teamwork this week, as multiple companies in trucking team up to support good causes. Read more about these partnerships in this week’s Five Good Things.
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Women trucking leaders meet with top Washington policymakers
This week, 18 women trucking leaders from 10 states met with their members of Congress and White House officials for the American Trucking Associations’ inaugural Women In Motion Call on Washington.
The WIM members represented various backgrounds, ranging from truck drivers to trucking executives. They participated in multiple events over two days, including a roundtable with members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce; a roundtable with staff from House Republican leadership offices; a breakfast meet and greet with members of Congress; a White House meeting; and multiple one-on-one conversations with trucking champions on Capitol Hill, including Congressman Rick Larsen, the ranking member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Throughout their meetings, the WIM members shared their experiences in trucking. They made a case for Congress to pass bills to foster safe and productive workplaces, reduce financial barriers to joining the industry, and preserve pathways to entrepreneurship.
Some examples of the legislation for which WIM members advocated include the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which would create a dedicated funding stream to build safe and secure truck parking; the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act, which would allow lower-income individuals to access CDL training programs; and a resolution to overturn the U.S. Department of Labor’s independent contractor rule, which would protect more than 350,000 truckers—including many women—who choose this employment model because of the economic opportunity it creates and the flexibility it provides. The WIM members provided a booklet to policymakers that contained the testimonies of dozens of women truckers from across the nation explaining why they decided to work as independent contractors and demanding that Congress protect their livelihoods.
“Women In Motion was founded to promote the role of women in the trucking industry, highlighting their unique perspectives and bringing about positive change. By leveraging ATA’s deep relationships on Capitol Hill and in the Executive Branch, we were able to deliver WIM’s message directly to our nation’s top policymakers,” said ATA COO Sarah Rajtik, co-chair of Women In Motion. “We are grateful that so many women leaders in the trucking industry took time out of their busy schedules to participate in our inaugural Call on Washington, which will be the first of many. The major strides we made to advance our legislative priorities will help create a more inclusive and welcoming work environment for all.”
XPO sponsors Pat Tillman Foundation’s 20th Annual Pat’s Run
XPO recently sponsored the Pat Tillman Foundation’s 20th annual Pat’s Run in Tempe, Arizona, to raise funds for the Tillman Scholars program. In addition to its sponsorship, XPO employees volunteered and participated in the run on April 13, 2024, and the company also provided in-kind donations, including hand carts, gas-powered forklifts, and propane tanks needed for the event.
“We are thrilled to welcome XPO as a sponsor of the 2024 Pat’s Run,” Dr. Katherine Steele, CEO of the Pat Tillman Foundation, said. “For many years, XPO has been advancing the careers of former military personnel in the transportation sector. Our two organizations are committed to furthering leadership, service, and opportunities for the people who have given so much to our nation’s defense.”
Twenty years ago, after Pat Tillman’s death, his family and friends came together to honor his legacy by creating the Pat Tillman Foundation. All the funds raised from this race go toward scholarships and professional development opportunities for nearly 900 Tillman Scholars.
“We’re proud of our position as an employer of choice for military veterans and soldiers in the Reserves and The National Guard, and we’re pleased to support Pat’s Run and the work of the Pat Tillman Foundation,” Tony Graham, president of the West Division at XPO and a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran, said. “Nearly 10% of our workforce has a military background, and we’re grateful for this opportunity to help advance the Foundation’s work in the community.”
ASE Education Foundation partners with International Truck and IC Bus to award 10 training scholarships
The ASE Education Foundation, International Truck, and IC Bus have partnered to provide a training opportunity for 10 instructors from ASE-accredited post-secondary medium/heavy truck training programs.
The following instructors were chosen to attend a five-day, hands-on training session at the Navistar OEM state-of-the-art training center in Woodridge, Illinois. They received a $1,000 scholarship to underwrite travel expenses.
- Nathan Berry, University of Alaska Anchorage
- Wayne Carpenter, Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan
- Brad Conklin, Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Justin Conway, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute
- Robbie Lindhorst, Southeastern Illinois College
- Shannon McCarty, Ashland Community and Technical College
- Chad Parsons, Laramie County Community College
- Joe Valora, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
- Brad Wake, Francis Tuttle Tech Center
- Lane Yarbrough, East Mississippi Community College
“We thank our partners at International Truck and IC Bus for their continued support of the ASE Education Foundation and awarding these incredible training opportunities,” said Mike Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation. “Our industry partners continue to provide outstanding learning and training opportunities for students and instructors at ASE-accredited programs. These Navistar scholarships are a prime example of the support received from the industry.”
Bridgestone supports global roster of athlete ambassadors for 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games
Bridgestone is partnering with dozens of elite athletes worldwide as a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner. The company is forming a global roster of Team Bridgestone brand ambassadors on the road to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.
The Team Bridgestone ambassador roster for Paris 2024 consists of 40 athletes across nine countries and over 20 sports. The group features 20 past Olympic and Paralympic medalists who have won 46 medals.
“We are honored to work with this inspiring team of athlete ambassadors who are making an impact both on and off the field, and we will be proudly cheering for them on the Road to Paris 2024,” said Thierry Jupsin, VP of brand marketing, Bridgestone Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “These individuals truly embody our belief that what really matters is enabling all people to perform at their best regardless of background or ability—not just today, but for years to come.”
The roster of athletes was selected based on their alignment of values with the Bridgestone brand. The company will celebrate and amplify the personal stories and passions of Team Bridgestone ambassadors through a combination of marketing initiatives, employee and customer events, and community activities on the journey to Paris. Each athlete will also receive financial support and access to Bridgestone products, services, and solutions.
As part of its support for the Paralympic Movement, the Team Bridgestone global ambassadors list includes 20 Paralympic athletes or hopefuls. The team comprises local rosters of exclusively adaptive U.S. and Thailand athletes.
Bridgestone also continues to apply its tire and rubber expertise in collaboration with experts, engineers, and athletes to help advance the performance of adaptive sports equipment. In the U.S., the Bridgestone Americas Technology Center in Akron, Ohio, has been working with Team Bridgestone adaptive athlete ambassadors like Chuck Aoki (wheelchair rugby), Aaron Pike (para athletics), and Scout Bassett (para athletics). The group has explored tire rubber applications for gloves, wheelchair hand rims, prosthetic running blades, spike plates, and more.
Chicago Blackhawks Foundation and PepsiCo team up to ignite youth careers with new GameChangers initiative
The Chicago Blackhawks Foundation and PepsiCo kicked off April by providing career insights and resources to West Side high school students through the GameChangers initiative, launched this season by the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation. PepsiCo serves as the presenting corporate sponsor. During visits to PepsiCo facilities in the Old Post Office and 35th Street Distribution Center, students gained hands-on exposure to careers in various industries, including sports, hospitality, and food and beverage.
“GameChangers was inspired by students’ interests in launching and growing their careers in this city we all love,” said Sara Guderyahn, Chicago Blackhawks Foundation executive director. “At the Chicago Blackhawks, our vision extends beyond the ice—we aspire to uplift and empower our community by partnering with and working alongside our neighbors. Through GameChangers, we are working to create exposure opportunities and tangible pathways to the many career opportunities spanning our dynamic sports and entertainment industries.”
Students participated in activities to broaden their knowledge of marketing and product innovation through beverage sampling, learning from sales leaders with a day-in-the-life preview, and stepping into a delivery truck for a look at how products make it onto the shelves.
They also took professional headshots, participated in mock interviews with human resources experts, learned the science behind their favorite Gatorade products, and interacted with immersive new technologies such as PepsiCo’s CoLab.
“Partnering with the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation for this new initiative is a natural extension of the work we’ve already been doing with local community leaders to increase access to career resources in South and West Side communities,” said Brittany N. Wilson, PepsiCo Chicago community relations manager. “We will continue to show up for local students and provide exciting, tangible career experiences with the hope that it encourages them to pursue any professional opportunities that excite them.”
