Finalists named for Ladies In Trucking’s Driver of the Yr Award

The Ladies In Trucking Affiliation (WIT) introduced as we speak 4 finalists for the 2025 Driver of the Yr award, sponsored by Walmart. This annual award acknowledges excellent feminine skilled drivers who lead the business in security requirements whereas actively enhancing the general public picture of the trucking business.

The 2025 Driver of the Yr finalists are:

• Ericka Norfleet, owner-operator, R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc.
• Gina Jones, firm driver, Werner
• Kathy Blaies, skilled carhauler, United Highway
• Sandy Winters, firm driver, Leonard’s Specific

The winner of the 2025 Driver of the Yr award might be introduced on the Salute to Ladies Behind the Wheel occasion, hosted by WIT on Friday, March 28 on the Mid-America Trucking Present in Louisville, Kentucky.

Erica NorfleetEricka Norfleet is a devoted owner-operator with R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc., bringing a wealth of expertise and professionalism to the street. Since incomes her industrial driver’s license in 2015, she has safely logged multiple million miles, demonstrating a dedication to security, excellence, and teamwork. 

Trucking is greater than a profession for Norfleet – it’s a way of life she shares together with her husband. Collectively, they’ve spent almost 9 years navigating the highways as a driving workforce whereas elevating their seven youngsters. Norfleet values the deep connections she has made alongside the best way, embracing the resilience and camaraderie of the trucking neighborhood. 

Gina JonesGina Jones is an expert driver with Werner who exemplifies security, management and dedication within the trucking business. After a profitable profession in retail administration, she earned her CDL at age 50 to affix her husband, Steve, on the street. With 2.5 million accident-free miles, Jones has obtained the 2024 TA Citizen Driver Award, the Werner Secure Driver Award, and the President’s Secure Driver Membership Award from the Nebraska Trucking Affiliation

As a 2022-2023 ATA America’s Highway Group Captain and Werner Highway Group alum, she advocates for security and mentors present and future drivers by college packages and recruitment occasions. Jones and her husband are a part of Werner’s Operation Freedom Fleet, driving a specialty-wrapped truck honoring navy service members. Off the street, she helps charitable causes, enjoys time together with her grandchildren, and loves using her Harley-Davidson bike.

Kathy BlaiseKathy Blaies, an expert carhauler at United Highway with greater than 20 years of expertise, has constructed a damage-free profession that units the usual for excellence. A talented and devoted skilled, she has pushed multiple million miles with no single injury, incomes her the Gold Elite Driver Award 4 occasions and the Injury Free Elite Award twice.

Identified amongst her friends as “Carhaul Kathy,” she is revered not just for her precision and security on the street but in addition for her dedication to teamwork, mentorship, and management. Blaies’ dedication to high quality, effectivity, and professionalism has made her a useful asset to the business, inspiring the following era {of professional} carhaulers.

Sandy WintersSandy Winters, an organization driver for Leonard’s Specific, has constructed a distinguished profession spanning greater than 30 years. After serving 4 years within the U.S. Military, she transitioned into trucking in 1993 after a buddy acknowledged her pure expertise for dealing with giant automobiles. Since then, she has pushed a wide range of gear – together with ink tankers, flatbeds, step decks, dry van doubles, and reefers – overlaying routes throughout america and Canada.

Winters is thought for her robust work ethic and willingness to mentor the following era. She believes skilled drivers play a key function in shaping the way forward for the trucking business, and he or she takes delight in guiding newcomers towards success. For Winters, trucking is not only a job – it’s a ardour, and he or she strives to be the very best at it each day.