Influential? What Makes a Leader

Being an “influential leader” undoubtedly is something of a buzzword these days with countless books, magazine articles, and courses on the subject – and with good reason, too. An influential leader is someone people look up to, respect and trust to guide them toward their desired results. Instead of coercing or forcing their team, the influential leader empowers their people and leads by example.

Four women in trucking embody these characteristics and were named last fall as finalists of the 2022 WIT Influential Woman in Trucking. Meet these incredible leadership powerhouses.

Trina Norman

Transportation Operations Manager, UPS

Norman oversees the Southern California and Vegas CDL Feeder Drivers Transportation Network at UPS. Because she manages four division managers, 463 managers and supervisors, and more than 3,100 CDL drivers, she takes her role of influential leadership seriously. This involves daily professional training, leadership and coaching.

“She is authentic, inspiring and optimistic about attracting women to the trucking industry,” according to Art Martinez, North Division Manager who nominated Norman for the award.

In 2016, she attended UPS DTS-Driver Training School in South Holland, Ill., where she became a Certified Feeder Driver Trainer. Three years later, she was appointed to be a part of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at UPS. In 2019, she helped charter the first Women in Operations Business Resource Group at UPS which helps women achieve their personal and business aspirations.

In 2021, Norman and her team were recognized as the top UPS Feeder Transportation team in the country. Last year, she also received these awards: the Game Changer award for her leadership and game-changing methodology; the Corporate Trailblazer award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Women in the workplace; and the Visionary Leadership Award for excellence in undertaking extraordinary efforts to enhance the operational experience.

Norman believes women should take risks and pursue the unlimited possibilities available for them in the industry: “It’s our time to shine and we are called to bring about change and impact in the industry.”

Lindsey Trent President, Next Generation in Trucking Association

Trent is the cofounder of the Next Generation in Trucking Association, a non-profit trade organization with the mission to promote trucking as a positive career field and create trucking programs while encouraging training and employment of young people in the trucking industry; and connecting them to training and employment opportunities.

Trent fell in love with the trucking industry while learning about its vast employment opportunities when she started a job in truck driver staffing. She went on to work in business and customer development for Ryder. From professional drivers to technicians, equipment maintenance to warehousing, entry-level staff to leadership, Trent is passionate about introducing young people to the opportunities in trucking. Trent serves on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Trucking Association and the Advisory Board of Fairdale High School where she helped start their Diesel Technician program.

Mari Roberts CTP, Vice President of Transportation, Frito-Lay

Roberts leads a team of 3,000 employees in both the field and headquarters organization and is responsible for the safety, cost, and service performance of the 28 Traffic Centers and Third-Party Carrier Operations in the United States. She has held numerous field operations and corporate positions in transportation and logistics in her 22-year career with Frito-Lay. She graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Supply Chain Management.

Mari received her Certified Transportation Professional (CTP) certification in 2009 and served as Chairman of the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) Institute Board of Governors from 2014 -2022 and is currently the Secretary of the NPTC Board of Directors. She has been involved in and has held leadership positions with multiple Employee Resource Groups at Frito-Lay including the Women’s Inclusion Network, PepsiCo Asian Network and served as the Executive Sponsor for the EQUAL ERG.

Jill Quinn President, Centerline Drivers

Quinn also is the executive leader

PeopleReady

Skilled Trades, and she drives business growth and performance excellence while cultivating customer partnerships for these two TrueBlue companies. With 25 years of leadership experience, Quinn leverages her knowledge and expertise to ensure that customers receive the skilled tradespeople or qualified drivers they need to keep their businesses moving forward. Her passion for making a difference in people’s lives by connecting them with work has led to many successful partnerships between customers looking to grow and members of a skilled workforce who deserve great opportunities.

Known for her collaborative leadership, she has received several honors and accolades, including Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) Global Power 150 and WIT’s Top Women to Watch. Quinn sits on the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) Board of Governors. n