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The United Way of Berks County presented Penske with an Eagle Award in recognition of the company’s support of the charitable organization’s 2017 fundraising campaign.
This was the second time that the organization honored Penske and its associates for its efforts during the 2017 campaign. The United Way presented Penske with a Presidential Award and recognized the company as the campaign’s top corporate fundraiser.
Associates from Penske’s United Way at Work Committee accepted the Eagle Award at the United Way’s 55th Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Eagle Award recipients are selected based on criteria such as CEO endorsement of the workplace campaign; support of key programs, such as the Loaned Campaign Specialist and Loaned Campaign Accountant Programs; participation in the annual Campaign Planning Workshops; encouragement of year-round communication and engagement activities within the workplace; and support of sponsorships and events.
“The award is significant because it is a public recognition of both our company and our associates for their efforts to make Berks County a better place to live, work and raise our families,” said Mike Duff, senior vice president of government relations and chief compliance officer for Penske Truck Leasing.
In a surprising twist, the company wasn’t the only one applauded for community service.
The United Way presented Duff, past board chair, and his wife, Diane, with the Wilbur H. Doran Award, the organization’s top volunteer award. The Duffs were co-chairs of the United Way’s 2011 campaign.
“Winning the United Way of Berks County’s Doran Award means a great deal to Diane and me, particularly because we are so passionately committed to United Way and the work the organization does in our community,” Duff said. “It’s also humbling to follow in the footsteps of other past Doran Award winners, all of whom have had such a positive impact on our community over the years.”
United in Community Service
The 2017 United Way campaign raised nearly $10.6 million, which will be invested in over 50 United Way-funded programs, initiatives and grants, serving more than 100,000 people in need throughout Berks County.
Penske was the United Way’s top corporate contributor for the fourth year in a row, raising $1.3 million for the charitable organization. It was the third consecutive campaign where Penske and its associates raised more than $1 million.
“When we support the United Way of Berks County, we know that our contributions stay right here in the community to fund local programs and services that annually benefit more than 100,000 people,” Duff said. “By supporting the United Way, we may be helping our friends, neighbors, co-workers or family members.”
Penske’s United Way at Work Committee, made up of Penske Logistics and Penske Truck Leasing associates in Reading, Pennsylvania, played a pivotal role by spearheading United Way fundraising events throughout the year, culminating with the giving campaign in the fall.
The Eagle Award is special for associates because it reinforces the positive impact that their efforts are making in the community.
“By contributing to an organization that has such a wide reach, the associates at Penske are helping children read and also helping to provide disaster services, meals to homebound individuals, therapy for children with special needs, mental health counseling, support services for veterans, and so much more,” said Christy Resh, co-coordinator of Penske’s UWAW Committee.
Community service is central to the mission of Penske as well as its associates.
“Penske associates know that giving back to their communities is very important,” Duff said. “This attitude is an indication of the high quality of the people we have on the Penske team.”
By Bernie Mixon
The United Way of Berks County recently presented Penske with a Presidential Award recognizing the company and its associates for achieving top corporate fundraiser status in the 2017 campaign.
Each year, the United Way presents the Presidential Award to the top corporate fundraisers in the non-profit's annual campaign. Penske has received the award since 1991.
“Penske is an absolutely amazing organization and even more amazing are the people at Penske," said Tammy White, president, United Way of Berks County. “Your generosity to our campaign is phenomenal."
White presented the award to Mike Duff, senior vice president of government relations and chief compliance officer for Penske Truck Leasing, and to Penske's United Way at Work Committee (UWAW), made up of Penske Logistics and Penske Truck Leasing associates in Reading, Pennsylvania.
“I am so personally proud of what we were able to do for the community," Duff said. “Giving back is important to our organization, and I know it is important to UWAW committee members individually."
The 2017 United Way campaign raised nearly $10.6 million, which will be invested in over 50 UnitedWay-funded programs, initiatives and grants, serving more than 100,000 people in need throughout Berks County.
It was the fourth year in a row that Penske was the top corporate fundraiser and the third in which the company and its associates raised more than $1 million.
The UWAW committee spearheaded United Way fundraising events throughout the year, culminating with the giving campaign in the fall.
“Penske recognizes being a good corporate citizen means being part of the community, giving time and contributions to help those in need," said Christy Resh, a co-coordinator of the UWAW committee.
“Our involvement in the United Way says Penske cares about its neighbors and our community, but most importantly, that we have amazing associates," she said.
White thanked members of the UWAW committee for their yearlong commitment to the United Way.
“You embrace helping and giving back every month of the year," White said of Penske's UWAW committee. “I want to thank you for that."
By Bernie Mixon
Penske Logistics has enhanced its industry-leading safety practices with the introduction of a video-based program. The company has installed SmartDrive event-triggered onboard cameras that face inside the truck cab, and outwards to the road, to complement ongoing driver safety coaching.
The solution is part of other safety-related technologies increasingly deployed within the Penske dedicated carriage fleet including: backup alarms; collision avoidance and lane departure systems; stability control systems; air disc brakes; electronic driver logs; onboard telematics and vehicle diagnostics systems; speed governors; and advanced visibility LED headlights.
Penske Logistics truck drivers use the Smith System on an ongoing basis, widely recognized as a leading transportation industry defensive driving program.
“We’re committed to running a safe fleet and strive to ensure our truck drivers are equipped with the latest fleet safety technology, late model vehicles, and ongoing safety coaching,” explained Penske Logistics President Marc Althen.
Penske Vice President of Safety Jason Herr noted that the recorded videos serve as what’s commonly referred to in the world of sports as game film: “We’re able to review incidents and coach drivers to be better and safer drivers. We view this new program as an extension of the digital supply chain in our industry.”
Stephen Skeens is a Penske truck driver based in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area who makes dedicated runs for an automotive supplier to Louisville, Kentucky. He explained that the cameras will “correct things for those with bad habits.” Talking to fellow drivers at other companies, Skeens sees video-based safety programs as becoming more popular.
The new cameras do not record unless triggered by an event when the vehicle is in operation. The combination of inward and outward facing cameras provides for a wide-ranging view of the driver’s behavior.
Footage will also be utilized for exoneration and reconstruction purposes.
Daniel Grivej is a Penske operations manager in Flat Rock, Michigan; his truck drivers have the SmartDrive cameras in their fleet. He acknowledged that change does not come overnight. “I would say the drivers were hesitant at first, but now they consider it part of their job. I do think the cameras are an effective coaching tool,” Grivej noted.
By year’s end, Penske expects to have the systems installed in over 2,800 of its heavy-duty trucks across the company’s North America operations. April is National Distracted Driving Awareness month.
Penske has installed SmartDrive’s SR4 state-of-the-art hardware that utilizes Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) functions.
Steve Mitgang, SmartDrive CEO stated: “As an innovative company, Penske Logistics required a solution that helps them focus on safety today while enabling them to plan for the future. We’re excited that the SmartDrive program fits their needs and look forward to working together to making Penske Logistics a safer fleet for its drivers, its customers and its communities.”
By Alen Beljin
As an ambitious 22-year-old with two bachelor’s degrees from California State University, Long Beach, Christina Darlak was ready to take on the real world. With an already impressive resume filled with her internship experience, Darlak felt prepared but was facing one dilemma – she didn’t have a job lined up after graduation.
Often described by her peers as being the hardest working person in the room, Darlak was hoping to find a job that would tie together her two passions: sales and helping others.
As she was applying for jobs, she came across Penske’s Sales and Operations Management Trainee Program (MT program) in her search and was instantly intrigued by what the program had to offer.
“The mentorship and customer-facing experience I was exposed to as a young professional was incredible,” recalls Darlak of her early days as an MT 16 years ago. “I couldn’t have gotten to where I am now without that program.”
Fast forward to today, a couple of months into her new role as a national account manager at Penske in southern California, Darlak has settled in nicely doing what she enjoys most: interacting with customers on a regular basis – a role she was able to improve upon since the start of her career.
Since working as an MT, Darlak has worn many different hats at Penske. She worked as an assistant rental manager, district rental manager, branch manager and district financial manager. She looks back on her accomplished career and sees many teaching moments and positive memories. However, what stands out to her the most are the perseverance and hard work she’s shown along the way – all stemming from her time as an MT.
Working Hard, not Hardly Working
From the start, Darlak’s co-workers could see her eagerness and positive attitude shine through the workplace and soon realized that it lasted long past business hours.
“I had this mindset that I was going to continue to work hard no matter what my position was,” she said. “Since I was an MT, I was always like that. That’s my message for young professionals: work hard and persevere.”
Her managers and co-workers noticed her incredible work ethic and willingness to learn, and it proved to help her in ways throughout her career.
As she quickly moved up the ranks, she took the time to learn how each position supported other departments. Darlak says she was always setting goals for herself.
“After I worked as a branch manager for a couple of years, I thought the next step was being a district manager,” she said.
As it turned out, becoming a district manager was not in the cards at that time for Darlak. Although disappointed, she did not get down on herself, kept working hard and remained dedicated to excellence.
“When it comes time for a promotion or a new role, I feel like the leadership here has a good grasp on who’s ready and who’s not. So, I stayed focused and continued to perform well in my current role.”
As her career took different turns, later becoming a district financial manager, Darlak saw that she was gaining a lot of valuable experience and shaping a well-rounded career. She had developed a unique skillset because of her versatile professional background and established a stronger understanding of the rental and leasing sides of the business. It was then that she realized her career options were wide open.
“All of my roles have helped me in some capacity throughout my Penske journey,” Darlak said. “It’s been so valuable. I couldn’t be happier with where my career has taken me, as winding as the road has been. But, I never forget how I got here.”
A Rewarding Career from the Start
There’s no doubt that Darlak has put together an impressive resume at Penske, but she points to Penske’s MT program – where her career began – as being the instrumental building block that got her to where she is today.
“The program exposed me to many things, both at Penske and in this industry,” she said. “It taught me how to be a better multitasker, and I developed into a stronger worker because of that. It was a great program at the time, and it is a great program today.”
Today, she finds time to meet with current MTs and mentor them. Having others help her was vital to her professional growth, she admits.
“People are people, and building relationships with customers and co-workers is important,” she said. “I love dealing with people, and I’ve always taken it upon myself to mentor others. I want them to know they have someone to talk to and have support. I think that’s one of the nice things about the program.”
Darlak acknowledges that hard work, mentorship and perseverance are some of the ingredients to having success anywhere you go. When life doesn’t go according to plan, she keeps her head up and encourages others to do the same.
“Throughout your career, it’s vital that you see the benefits in everything,” Darlak said. “Every new role has its upsides and challenges, and that happens with change. There’s an adjustment period, and you’ll need to learn the ropes.”
As accomplished as Darlak’s career has been, she doesn’t look back as much as she continues to push forward. She recently earned her Certified Transportation Professional designation and really enjoys working with customers. She enjoys working as a national account manager and finds it rewarding.
But, what’s her ultimate goal?
“Enjoy everything I do,” Darlak says with a smile. “I’ve enjoyed every role I’ve served. I love where I work. As far as what future positions are in store for me, I want to focus on succeeding in this position before I move on to a new one. Wherever that next step is, I know that it’s the skills I harnessed from the MT program that helped get me there.”
You, too, can have a rewarding career like Christina. Learn more about Penske’s Sales and Operations Management Trainee Program and apply today.
By Chris Abruzzo
Penske values and emphasizes a strong workplace culture.
“Hey, great job,” says Oscar Rivera, a maintenance supervisor in Penske’s southeast region, as he observes one of his technician’s repairs.
“A simple ‘way to go’ can really go a long way with motivating a team,” Rivera says. He thanks, praises and supports his team of technicians, knowing that happy associates lead to some of the most productive employees.
Thinking back to his first day at Penske 16 years ago as an entry-level technician, he remembers how supportive and collaborative his teams were. He recalls the many experienced co-workers who helped train him to get to where he is today. Now, he tries to do the same for new technicians whose shoes he was once in.
“The knowledge I’ve been able to gain is incredible, and I owe it to the company,” Rivera said. “They really support you, and they bring in the right people to help get the job done. This was a great place to work when I arrived here, and I want to keep it that way for the new techs today.”
Rivera and his co-workers know how important a strong workplace culture is. But, just how important is it? He stresses that having the right attitude can make all the difference.
“I like to maintain a positive atmosphere at work,” Rivera said. “These techs know that I’m here for them if they have any questions or need any help.”
This positive atmosphere is vital not just for Rivera’s team, but also for customers. Paul Johnson, a district manager at Penske, says that when you have a strong team culture, customers notice.
“For the most part, everything we do – whether it’s in our rental facilities or in the shop – is customer-facing,” said Johnson. “Customers tell me – that at other companies – they can tell if associates don’t get along with each other. They admire what we’ve been able to do here.”
Rivera says he makes an effort every day to show each technician how much he wants him or her to grow professionally. Technicians receive training on the computers and the maintenance equipment. Many of the technicians on Rivera’s shift are entry-level associates, so he tries to work closely with them throughout the training process.
“I have meetings with them every day to see how they’re doing,” Rivera said. “I tell them to help each other out, and that is the best way to learn – as a team. The production flows easier if we all help each other out.”
The group also appreciates how much Rivera cares about them on a personal level.
“I’ll ask them how they’re doing and how their family is,” Rivera said. “That stuff is important. We all care about each other.”
Johnson recognizes Rivera’s efforts and knows just how important a strong workplace culture is at any Penske facility. He feels lucky to have Rivera as one of his maintenance supervisors.
“Our message to our team is to make the workplace what you want it to be,” Johnson said. “If you can have a supervisor who can encourage their team and teach them how to have a positive attitude and act professionally, it’s fantastic. I wish I had a few Oscars.”
Start a career at Penske and see firsthand how much we value a strong workplace culture and a supportive team atmosphere. If you’re interested in joining our great team, visit our careers website.
By Chris Abruzzo
A chance CB radio conversation during a San Francisco traffic jam changed Donna Creekmore’s life when she encountered her then future husband Jim, who was a truck driver.
“I asked him if he would teach me to drive. I climbed in his truck and basically never got out,” said Creekmore, who eventually married Jim and drove with him for 25 years, carving out a career as an over-the-road driver at a time when there were few women professional truck drivers.
As part of Women’s History Month, Penske is celebrating the contribution of women, professional truck drivers, and others, in the transportation industry who help to move the world forward.
The couple’s life on the road and raising a family remains some of Creekmore’s most cherished memories. “We were together 35 years,” she said of her late husband Jim.
Creekmore is now a driving recruiting specialist for Penske Logistics. She draws upon her over-the-road experience as a professional truck driver to encourage men and women to join the company’s team of nearly 5,000 safe, professional drivers.
Trucking Ahead
From their first cup of coffee until they were married, the pair was inseparable riding together for about a year. They were a trucking team in many ways but one. Creekmore still needed to earn her commercial driver’s license and she did so.
The first few years they drove through 11 western states together. They later joined a trucking carrier that traveled 48 states. It lasted that way for 20 years, transporting produce from California to the East Coast.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Creekmore did not see many women truck drivers.
“[As a female truck driver then] you had to have tough skin. You were stepping into a male-dominated industry,” Creekmore said. “You had to prove yourself.”
In spite of the challenges, many women have been attracted to the trucking profession.
“I’ve always liked trucks,” Creekmore said. “I had driven a tow truck in San Francisco. So, it was a natural to step for me to move into a bigger truck. It’s satisfying that you can do it. When you can safely handle 80,000 pounds just as well as anyone else -- you are truly equal to anyone on the road.”
In the 1990s, Creekmore began noticing more female truck drivers. “There was probably a woman in every fourth truck by then,” she estimated. “It had really grown.”
Today, the American Trucking Associations estimates some six percent of the 3.5 million professional truck drivers on the road are women.
Driving into a New Career
In the early 2000s, Creekmore decided to get out of the truck for good and assumed new transportation roles including time as a trucking dispatcher, recruiting, safety, and driver management.
A few years ago, she started working for Penske Logistics as a truck driver recruiting specialist. Most days you can find her at truck stops meeting with drivers – both men and women.
Creekmore’s truck driving experience has truly helped in her recruiting role “by being able to ‘speak’ their language, trading stories, and building relationships,” she said. “The key, for me, is building the relationship -- knowing the driver as a person, not just as a candidate.”
One of the first things she tells potential driver candidates is if they come to work for Penske Logistics they are treated well and respected.
Penske Logistics offers its truck drivers home time and safety training, solid pay and benefits, excellent well-maintained trucks with the latest safety features, and 24/7 over the road support.
“I find Penske Logistics cares about people before the load. You are a name here and not just a number,” Creekmore said. “That is a big issue with drivers. They get so tired of being a truck number.”
For the women truck drivers Creekmore meets, she is happy to hear the atmosphere on the road has improved and that is something that takes on special significance, as her oldest daughter is also a truck driver.
“The truck stops are starting to realize women are a larger portion of the transportation industry workforce,” Creekmore said. She noted there are now nicer showers and facilities, healthier foods, and women-friendly products.
As she looks back over her career, Creekmore remains thankful for the traffic jam that brought her a beloved husband, wonderful children and a rewarding trucking career.
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” she said.
Interested in a driving career with Penske? Visit gopenske.com/drivers for employment opportunities. The company offers competitive wages and a wide range of benefits. Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
By Bernie Mixon
Memorable first impressions form from the most ordinary gestures, like a warm, confident smile and a strong handshake.
Moments of introduction can have a lasting impact extending far beyond their delivery in long-forgotten social settings or business gatherings, so it is important to know how to make the most of them.
Leadership lessons like these were among the advice the Penske Women’s Network (PWN) passed on recently to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) during the fourth annual Take the Lead training held at Penske’s corporate headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania.
“From the Girl Scout perspective, everything we do is based on leadership and developing girls who are strong leaders who are confident but also have courage and character. So it is really important to us that we provide that safe environment for them to grow in that way,” said Erin Vermeulen, director of girl experience and day camps for GSEP.
Having PWN members deliver these leadership messages is meaningful.
“Penske has been amazing in providing strong women who are able to do that for our girls, really be open and have conversations with them, teach them things they have learned and expose them to new situations that are important for girls to learn,” Vermeulen said.
Nearly 70 scouts from young girls to teenagers participated in a half-day of training to prepare for Take the Lead 2018, the organization’s annual fundraising event honoring local women leaders, which will be held April 4 in Reading.
This year’s honorees are Patricia Giles, foundation associate, Wyomissing Foundation; Dr. Jodi Radosh, co-author of “Shoot, Edit, Share” and an Alvernia University professor; and Jeanne Savage, community volunteer, Freedom Auto Group.
Many of the girls in attendance will have roles during the event introducing the honorees, serving as ushers and greeters, performing in the chorus and capturing the event in photographs and on social media.
While PWN members were more than happy to share their vast experience with the young girl scouts, the women received so much more in return.
“The Girl Scouts bring a great energy that reminds us how important it is to stay connected with our community and stay engaged,” said Allison Coffey, marketing campaign manager, who coordinated the event with Melody Kaag, manager of leave and accommodations in the Human Resources department.
During the training PWN members hosted breakout sessions to deliver tips on how to deliver a handshake, photography and social media tips as well as proper table etiquette.
For Elizabeth Reed, a diversity and inclusion specialist in the company’s Human Resources department, it was her first year participating in the event. Reed, along with Shannon Pennock, a billing coordinator, worked with the girls on how to deliver a proper handshake.
“Learning the proper way to shake someone’s hand is very impactful, especially at a young age,” Reed said. “They say practice makes perfect. We want the girls to feel empowered and to be confident with the skills that we are teaching them in preparation for this event.”
The skills modeled by PWN volunteers are ones the girls can take with them and use for a lifetime.
“Just having that confidence to be able to stand up in front of these adults and shake their hands and introduce themselves is a huge success for them,” said Vermeulen. “It is really about becoming a well-rounded individual and having those skills to move forward.”
By Bernie Mixon
Clocks and timepieces across the country are set to spring ahead at 2 a.m. on Sunday, ushering in daylight saving time, resulting in longer days and one less hour of precious sleep.
For many professional truck drivers, motorists and schoolchildren, commuting to their morning destinations may mean starting the day in darkness.
Earl Taylor, a Penske Logistics professional truck driver and one of American Trucking Associations’ America’s Road Team Captains, is offering some tips to help drivers navigate the spring time change.
“The first couple of days are crucial because of the time change,” Taylor said. “I have been getting up and going to work for 40 years, and the time change is an adjustment for me, especially this one.”
The federal government first enacted daylight saving time on March 19, 1918, during World War I as a way to conserve coal.
Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Most of the country observes the annual springtime change. Hawaii and Arizona are the only two U.S. states that do not observe daylight savings time. They are joined by American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Indiana joined #TeamSpringAhead in 2006 when it enacted a statewide law requiring all parts of the state to observe daylight saving time.
Spring Ahead Tips
For professional truck drivers and motorists alike, it will take a few days to adjust to the time change.
“You will have to deal with the darkness in the morning, at the bus stop with kids going to school, that will be a challenge for most people because they are not used to seeing pedestrians walking at that time of the morning,” Taylor said.
Many will gain a potential new companion on your ride home: bright sunlight.
“Depending on what direction you are riding in, you may experience more sunlight on the commute home,” said Taylor, who suggested bringing along a pair of sunglasses and adjusting mirrors so the glare does not cause blind spots.
Yet for some, losing an hour of sleep will require the biggest adjustment.
“Losing sleep – you really feel it. Not having proper rest can make you easily irritated, become not focused and cause you to miss little details,” said Taylor. “Getting the proper amount of sleep assures you that your body is rested and you can be focused and very alert while driving.”
Taylor is also an advocate of keeping your same routine while your body adjusts to the time change.
“Some people, even me, want to hit the snooze button in the morning for that extra few minutes of sleep,” Taylor said. “You have to keep that same routine. If you walk before work or take the dog out, keep to that same routine.”
Here are some fun facts about daylight saving time:
Lamenting over your lost hour of sleep? Not to worry: We gain an extra hour when standard time begins on Nov. 5.
Interested in a driving career with Penske? Visit gopenske.com/drivers for employment opportunities. The company offers competitive wages and a wide range of benefits. Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
By Bernie Mixon
The open road, with its promise of freedom and opportunity to experience touchstones of Americana, has traditionally been a draw for many seeking to become professional truck drivers. Women have increasingly made their mark in trucking, enjoying fulfilling careers as professional truck drivers.
As the nation pauses this month – Women’s History Month – to recognize the contribution of women to society, Penske is celebrating female truck drivers who help to move the world forward.
The role of women takes on special meaning as the trucking industry struggles to solve a growing truck driver shortage. Recruiting more women as professional truck drivers may be part of the answer.
Truck driving remains the most popular occupation in 29 states with the trucking industry employing 3.5 million professional truck drivers, according to the American Trucking Associations. Approximately six percent of professional truck drivers are women.
Early Trucking Pioneers
While women have always driven trucks in some fashion, history looks to Lillie Elizabeth McGee Drennan as the first licensed female truck driver and trucking-company owner.
Drennan, of Galveston, Texas, received her license in 1929 and operated Drennan Truck Line, a company which she began with her husband, later becoming sole owner after the couple divorced.
The company hauled oilfield equipment, explosives and general freight through East Texas, the site of one of the largest oil discoveries in the Lone Star state.
“It was a much more physically demanding job in those days,” said Ellen Voie, president and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association, a non-profit organization that encourages employment of women in the trucking industry. “They were responsible for loading and unloading – especially (Drennan) with oil rigs. They had to prove themselves and prove they were capable of doing the job.
For many female truck drivers, the men in their lives were responsible, in part, for their new vocations. “The typical female driver comes into the industry because of a male figure – a father, husband or boyfriend,” Voie said. “And that’s true even today.”
Many of today’s female professional truck drivers are women in their 50s who have raised their children and been invited to come on the road by their husbands or boyfriends.
“A lot of women used to go out on the road with their husbands and boyfriends and help keep logs. The husband and boyfriend did the actual driving – city driving, backing,” Voie said. “Now, women are going to truck driving schools and getting those same skills.”
Carriers are expecting a higher level of expertise, Voie said. “If you grew up on a farm, you were a shoe-in for a truck driving job, but now they really do want a formal education.”
Tammy Rice, a Penske Logistics driver, has been a professional truck driver for about 20 years. She was introduced to truck driving by her husband Joe, an over-the-road driver at the time who asked her to join him on the road.
The couple would eventually become team drivers after Rice earned her commercial driver’s license at a local community college. “We lived in that truck for four or five years, just the two of us, 24-7,” Rice said. “
Eventually, Rice decided to come off the road and went to work for a company driving a feed truck. Six years ago, she joined Penske Logistics in a similar role, now working out of a North Carolina location.
Driving a feed truck brought back memories for Rice, whose parents owned their own feed store and had what was then known as a chauffer’s license, necessary to drive a truck in those days.
When Rice was not quite 15 years old, her father would guide her as she backed the family’s feed truck to the dock. “Daddy would tell me which way to turn the wheel and I would turn the wheel,” Rice said.
Wheeling Out of the Shadows
When Voie began working in the trucking industry in the 1970s, female truck drivers took care not to stand out but to blend into the background.
“Since there were so few women in the industry, they did not want to be subjected to negative attention from the male drivers. They just wanted to do their job,” Voie said. “Over the years, that has changed a lot. More women are vocal about what they want.”
And, the industry is listening.
“Truck stops are trying really hard to attract women to make their accommodations more female-friendly,” Voie said. “Twenty years ago they used to have a locker-room type shower, and if a woman wanted to shower, someone would have to stand in the doorway and not let any men in.”
Now, those facilities have showers that are gender neutral and more secure. Other improvements include adding hair dryers, fluffier towels and larger showerheads, amenities that appeal to both genders.
Truck manufacturers are also taking the needs of women into consideration when designing new models.
“They are actually bringing in female drivers and having them sit in prototypes and asking what they can do to make them different,” Voie said. “It is being able to see over the hood, to see the mirror on the passenger side. It’s being able to reach pedals, knobs on the dash, being able to climb out of the sleeper, in and out of the cab and open the hood.”
Demand for Truck Drivers Remains High
Last night, in a keynote speech at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Expo, American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear noted the high demand for industry talent.
“We [trucking industry] are moving 71 percent of the nation’s freight. To get to 80 percent, we are going to have to bring new talent into the industry.”
According to Spear, U.S. trucking needs to hire some 960,000 employees. This includes truck drivers and truck maintenance technicians over the next decade.
“[Government] policy that blocks 18-21-year-olds from driving across state lines needs to be addressed,” he added.
No doubt, the current and future talent pool for drivers and maintenance technicians will rely more heavily on women as a key source to fill these much-needed driver roles even as autonomous vehicles are clearly on the industry’s horizon.
“The industry has a tremendous need, and this is an opportunity to hire more women across the board,” said Jeff Stoicheff, senior vice president of Human Resources for Penske Logistics.
The larger battle, however, may be winning the hearts and minds of young women and girls that truck driving is a good-paying and viable career path.
“Many women may not picture themselves in the trucking industry. We are not – at the high school or college level – pushing the trucking industry,” Voie said.
For tech-savvy millennials, the answer could be promoting how technology is so much a part of today’s trucking industry.
“They don’t see the anti-collision and anti-rollover technology, the automatic transmissions and all of the cool stuff in the cab that makes it so much more modern than what they picture when they see a truck on the road.”
However, the game-changer could come with connecting with people about how the trucking industry touches their lives every day.
“I think we could do a better job of talking about how important the trucking industry is because I don’t think we give people the correlation between that gallon of milk on the shelf and that truck on the highway.”
Interested in a driving career with Penske? Visit gopenske.com/drivers for employment opportunities. The company offers competitive wages and a wide range of benefits. Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Editor's Note: In recognition of Women's History Month, each #TruckerTuesday in March, the "Move Ahead" blog will feature a female professional truck driver who is helping to move the world forward.
By Bernie Mixon
As the wind gently whispered outside his barracks, Cornelius J. was unmoved; he was on a new mission.
Cornelius, a Penske Truck Leasing maintenance technician and a diesel mechanic in the Mississippi Army National Guard, recently traded civilian life for military fatigues.
It will mark the first time he has been designated for deployment, reporting to an undisclosed location, but it is an assignment he had been waiting a lifetime to accept.
Now in his second enlistment with the Guard, Cornelius said he feels proud to stand among other military veterans - men and women - who have served their country.
“On Veteran's Day, I want to be able to say I have joined some of the greatest people who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country and to be able to say I am right there with them," said Cornelius, currently on military leave from his Penske position and deep into his military training in Mississippi.
From Motorcycles to Military
Roaring down the track with a motorcycle underneath you, the piercing sound of the bike's engine bounces off the asphalt. It is a feeling like no other and one that grabbed Cornelius' imagination at an early age.
He developed a love for motorcycle drag racing thanks in large measure to his uncle – himself a motorcycle racer. On weekends, his family would gather at the track to watch the races, cheer loved ones and fellowship with other racing families.
“When it came to racing, I took to it pretty hard because we were around it for so long, and it became a part of us," said Cornelius. “Most people take family trips to Hawaii or down to the beach; our family's vacation was to the race track."
As hobbies go, motorcycle racing is costly. If Cornelius wanted to continue, it would mean finding a career that paid enough to support him and his hobby, so he joined the military.
“That was the biggest reason why I joined, to be able to support a hobby that I had really fallen in love with, but then I started to like the military and actually made a career out of it," said Cornelius, who joined in 2009 while still in high school.
It would turn out to be a decision that set into motion a series of events that would ultimately end with him choosing a career as a diesel technician and coming to work for Penske.
“The military helped me choose my profession," he said.
Paving a Path to Penske Technician
One of his first jobs while in the military was as a construction equipment mechanic where he worked on diesel engines, hydraulics and trucks. It sparked his interest in diesel engines, and he wanted to know more.
Cornelius ultimately decided to further his mechanical education at WyoTech, where he enrolled in the diesel training program.
“For a little kid coming out of Carthage, Mississippi – a little town no one heard of – and for me to graduate with honors, that was big for me," he said.
Following graduation, Cornelius returned to Mississippi and started looking for a job.
“Every day for months, I would stay in front of the computer filling out job applications," he said. “This was my life for a while, and it got pretty old quickly, but I continued to do it."
Most open positions he learned about had a minimum two-year experience requirement, something he did not have.
One day, he came across a notice about a maintenance technician position with Penske Truck Leasing.
“When I came across the Penske application, I gave it all I had," Cornelius said. “There was a box at the bottom to put in comments. I wrote, 'If you would give me a chance, I promise you that I will not let you down. All I need is a shot. Just show me the door, and I will walk through it.'"
Cornelius was hired at Penske's Richland, Mississippi, location as a mid-level technician, later earning a promotion to lead diagnostic technician.
“It wasn't an easy road, but all the hard work paid off," he said.
Then one day, Cornelius received a letter in the mail from the military that changed his life again. “I pretty much got a letter telling me that I was going to leave the unit I was in, go to a new unit to start training before being deployed," he said.
His expertise as a diesel technician was sorely needed. That played a role in him being selected for deployment.
It was a dream come true.
During deployment, his unit will be “maintaining equipment and making sure it is ready so they can go out and do what they need to do."
But, what would happen to his job with Penske Truck Leasing?
Penske – A Military-Friendly Employer
In the afterglow of his initial excitement, the questions start to flow: How would his military leave affect his employment status? How would he pay his bills? Would he have a job when he returned?
He was soon put at ease thanks to Penske's military absence policy. Penske values the contributions of both its veterans and active duty military associates.
Both Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics are committed to hiring veterans and have been named 2018 Military-Friendly Employers by Victory Media, the publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine.
In addition, Penske partners and supports military-friendly organizations, including The Paralyzed Veterans of America's Mission: ABLE campaign, Support Military Spouses, and World T.E.A.M. Sports.
For associates who need to be away for training or deployment, Penske takes great care to put them at ease long before they go out on military leave.
“When someone is about to go out on military leave of absence, we want to make sure they have all their answers completely covered before they go out – for them and their families," said Karyn Troxell, director of corporate HR and organizational effectiveness. “Between our Shared Services team, our Benefits team, and our new Leave of Absence and Accommodation team, we want to anticipate those questions and have the answers ready to go.
"We speak with the associate before they go out on leave to provide them with responses about how their benefits and pay will be handled and what their transition back into the workplace will 'look like'" she said. “Once they exit the Penske doors and leave for deployment, the last thing we want them to worry about is how their employment is being handled."
Cornelius said everyone has been so supportive of him since he announced he would be deploying.
“My supervisor and manager have been more than supportive," he said. “I have been getting texts and people checking up on me to see how I am doing. Penske has been very good to me."
Countdown to Deployment
For the past few weeks, Cornelius and the other reservists have been undergoing training at a facility in Mississippi.
Soon they will all transfer to another location for even more training before they set off for a deployment that will last about 400 days.
One big piece of their training was on how to recognize Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the calling card of the enemy. Some of the training includes throwbacks to their time in basic training: how to disassemble a weapon and making sure their equipment is in good working order.
“Even though we are a maintenance brigade, we may be going out on patrol to be a Quick Reaction Force to suppress some enemy fire," Cornelius said. “As far as our training, we have been doing full battle-rattle."
That means wearing bulletproof vests and combat helmets and practicing putting on their gas masks, all dress rehearsals for what they may face when they are in another country.
“All of this is good training. Once you go out there and get going, you will remember all of the training from basic and other training sessions through the years. It becomes muscle memory, so then it gets easy to react," he said. “I think it is a pretty important part of the mission."
While Cornelius is grateful for the opportunity to serve his country, he is – understandably – a little apprehensive at the same time.
“Of course it weighs on you. Reality starts to set in and you get that gut feeling that it is really about to happen," he said. “You don't know what to expect. But I am going over there to make sure my family and friends are safe over here. "
After his deployment is over, Cornelius said he will start living the second phase of his life.
“When I get back – if the Lord says the same – I can start gravitating toward a family. I am really excited for that," he said. “I will get the American dream."
Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics offer a range of career opportunities, including truck fleet maintenance technicians, truck drivers, fleet maintenance supervisors, operations management roles, logistics and supply chain operations roles, and many others.
Visit www.GoPenske.com/careers/veterans for more information on career opportunities.
By Bernie Mixon
As a 10-year-old, John “Chips” Lemke would be fascinated with tractors that operated on tobacco farms near his home, often riding on the machines as they made their way across wide-open spaces.
Later in life, automobiles would capture his imagination, so much so that his mother, who recognized her son’s affinity for mechanical work, encouraged him to seek automotive technical training after high school. It put into motion the makings of a life-long career.
Now some 50 years after he was first hired by Penske as a mechanic, Lemke, a Technician at the East Windsor, Connecticut location, was recently celebrated for achieving his service milestone by friends, family and fellow associates as well as Roger Penske, Chairman of Penske Corporation.
“It is a remarkable person who is capable and adaptable enough to weather such an onslaught of change,” Mr. Penske said in a letter addressed to Lemke. “It is a fortunate company to have had such a person on their team. Chips, you proved to be such a man.”
Lemke began his career with Penske in 1967 at the former Hertz Rent-A-Truck in East Hartford, Connecticut. Back then, the average price for a gallon of gas was 33 cents and Polaroid cameras were all the rage.
It was also a time when the transportation industry was coming of age. That same year, the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) was created to set standards for motor vehicles and road traffic safety.
“It would be the start of 50 years of escalating change in our industry, and for a new shop mechanic, the most demanding and challenging evolutionary period in our industry to date,” Mr. Penske wrote in his letter.
As years turned to decades, Lemke witnessed the changes to his own role, impacted by sweeping technological changes including the rise of computer diagnostics.
“One good thing about the job is you are always running into something new. You fix a part or something, and you will see something you have never seen before,” Lemke said. “This has been going on for 50 years. It is not a boring job. You always are finding new things that are happening.”
Variety is one thing has kept him on the job over the years; another has been the relationships he has forged with people along the way, like Al Aughenbaugh, district service manager at the Hartford, Connecticut location.
“I worked side-by-side with Chips as a Technician and as a manager. He is one of the most dependable, helpful people I’ve worked with. Chips has built strong relationships with drivers over the years. They ask for him by name,” said Aughenbaugh. “Fifty years of service is a testament of his dedication and commitment.”
Gregg Mangione, senior vice president of maintenance for Penske Truck Leasing, added his voice to those congratulating Lemke on his service achievement.
“When you think about how large of an organization we have become, I am so proud of our passionately personal culture that ensures we value not only our maintenance associates every day, but individuals like “Chips” who helped to support all of that growth,” Mangione said.
“John, working every day at something you enjoy is something many strive for in a career. The hard work is always adapting to change,” he said. “You have worked through five decades of accelerating change and challenge in the business of commercial truck maintenance. I hope people are inspired by your path, your dedication to your family and to Penske.”
In addition to his service milestone, Lemke is set to enjoy another: His 50th wedding anniversary in 2020.
“My wife’s family owned a restaurant around the corner from the garage. Their house was adjoining the property where the garage was located. I used to go there and charge my food. I would ask her at the end of the week, ‘What do I owe you?’ And she would say it was about $8.29,” Lemke said with a chuckle.
After six months, the couple dated and eventually married in 1970. They have four children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
At his 50th work anniversary party in December, Lemke was happy to share the milestone with family and people he has worked with over the years.
Lemke credits his longevity with Penske to “being lucky and making good choices.”
Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics offer a range of career opportunities including: truck fleet maintenance technicians, truck drivers, fleet maintenance supervisors, operations management roles, logistics and supply chain operations roles and many others. Visit gopenske.com/careers for more information on career opportunities.
By Bernie Mixon
Bright, fragrant flowers, the universal symbol of love, will be in abundance today as consumers shower loved ones with bouquets on Valentine’s Day.
Heart-shaped holidays, like Valentine’s Day, are busy times for the floral industry, which depends on trucking companies, including Penske Logistics and Penske Truck Rental, to help ensure perishables like flowers and candy arrive in top condition.
“Most consumers want their flowers on Valentine’s Day, so it is vital that florists have their product on time and of the freshest quality,” said Jennifer Sparks, vice president of marketing for the Society of American Florists (SAF), based in Virginia. “Trucking companies and their drivers play a big role in helping to make that happen.”
Consumers are expected to spend $19.6 billion on Valentine’s Day this year or an average of $143.56 in Valentine’s Day gift giving, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
“Americans are looking forward to pampering and indulging their loved ones with flowers, candy, dinner and all of the other Valentine’s Day stops,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “With the holidays behind them and the winter months dragging along, consumers are looking for something to celebrate this time of year.”
Flower sales alone were projected to reach $2 billion, according to the NRF. Which stands to reason since Valentine’s Day is the number one holiday for floral purchases, second only to Christmas and Chanukah in spending, according to the SAF.
In fact, this year, more than 250 million roses were produced to shower on loved ones on Valentine’s Day, and roses lead the way in flower purchases, followed by tulips, carnations and lilies, according to the SAF.
Why are flowers synonymous with love? Science may have the answer.
According to a Rutgers University study, “the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.”
The researchers studied participants’ behavioral and emotional responses to receiving flowers, with the results showing flowers are a “natural and healthful moderator of moods.”
The study also found that flowers have an immediate impact on happiness, impact moods long-term and make intimate connections.
The science connection extends to deliveries as well.
“Scientific research is overwhelmingly conclusive when it comes to cold chain and longevity of flowers,” said Chris Drummond, president of Plaza Flowers in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and SAF's president-elect. “Temperature is the most important factor in the process of getting flowers from the farm to the consumer.”
Vase life decreases substantially when the temperature of the freight rises above 35 degrees Fahrenheit, Drummond said.
“Since airplanes are not refrigerated, trucks are the obvious choice for transporting fresh flowers,” he said. “Partnering with a reliable trucking company that properly maintains their refrigerated trailers is critical for floral wholesalers and large retailers. “
New technologies allow retailers to monitor the temperature of the freight, and professional drivers who understand the perishable nature of our products are invaluable, Drummond said.
“During the loading and unloading process, flowers can get too cold or too warm. A good driver understands how to monitor the temperature of the trailer and manage the loading and unloading procedure to minimize temperature fluctuations,” he said.
Commerce Flowers is among the many florists who have experienced a spike in business leading up to Valentine’s Day.
“It’s been very busy,” said Duke Nomura, treasurer at Commerce Flowers, which has a fleet of its own trucks but rented additional Penske units to meet the need this Valentine’s Day. A long-time customer, Nomura said he rents with Penske because of the quality trucks and nice people.
Penske offers a wide variety of rental trucks from large commercial semi-tractors and trailers to small box trucks. Penske encourages retailers and businesses to make reservations by calling its hotline for business rentals, 1-800-PENSKE1. New business truck rental customers can enjoy an additional 20 percent off your first truck or tractor rental.
Professional truck drivers know safe driving habits are important when traveling on roadways filled with congestion and other distractions, often situations that can be a challenge for new drivers.
Through Share the Road, a highway safety program developed by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), professional truck drivers teach teen drivers how to exercise good judgment when driving on roadways shared with commercial vehicles like tractor-trailers.
Members of the ATA’s America’s Road Team – including Earl Taylor, an America’s Road Team Captain and professional truck driver for Penske Logistics – draw on their experience and exemplary safety records to serve as program ambassadors and pass along tips to young drivers.
“If we teach teens at an early age, before they develop bad habits, they can be more effective drivers,” said Drew Mitrisin, manager of industry affairs for the ATA. “Even if kids take one or two things away from a Share the Road demonstration, we still think it will be valuable and potentially life-saving.”
Taylor recently visited with students at two high schools in Virginia, offering them a chance to climb into the cab of the official Share the Road tractor-trailer, explore the sleeper compartment and experience a commercial unit from a professional truck driver’s vantage point.
“We all want to be safe on the road, and the only way is for teens to understand what we are doing,” Taylor said. “We are professional drivers; we have a pretty good understanding of what to expect out on the road, but new drivers don’t have as much experience or exposure to commercial vehicles.”
Driving Home Highway Safety
The Share the Road program began in 1986 to teach the public how to coexist safely with large trucks on roadways, working with many highway safety partners, including state trucking associations and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
“Once you understand the limitations of a truck, you will be able to better predict what a truck driver will do and how you can drive responsibly next to a truck driver,” said Mitrisin.
In addition to schools, Share the Road events are held during the year at state capitols, motorcycle and RV events, auto shows and truck driving championships. An official Share the Road tractor-trailer serves as a literal touchpoint of the presentation.
Some Share the Road program tips include:
“One of the big messages is to understand when you’re in a blind spot and try to get out of it quickly but safely. There is a blind spot in the front, and trucks take a long time to stop, so you want to make sure you give him plenty of cushion when you are cutting back into the truck driver’s lane,” Mitrisin said.
By having professional truck drivers leading the presentation, it gives teens an authentic voice and a glimpse of the important roles professional truck drivers play.
“This is really a good chance for our professional truck drivers like Earl, who have tons of accident-free miles, to talk to kids first hand and explain the fact that truck drivers are professionals and they do everything they can to get families home safely,” said Mitrisin.
Safe driving is not only a key component to Penske Logistics’ success, and the success of our customers, but it also ensures the safety of the company’s 4,650 professional truck drivers, including Taylor.
A big part of Penske’s safety initiative is encouraging drivers to participate in the Smith System training course. Smith System is a leading provider of collision avoidance driving training.
“Our professional truck drivers put a premium on safe driving to keep themselves safe as well as other motorists,” said Jason Herr, vice president of safety for Penske Logistics. “Safe driving is central to the professional, efficient and on-time performance we provide for our customers each and every day.”
On a Safety Mission
During his time in Virginia, Taylor spoke with 10th-grade students in the driver education programs at two high schools.
“They are excited about driving. They want to get their license. They want that freedom – to be able to go when you want, to come back when you want and not have to depend on someone to pick you up,” he said. “Freedom is a luxury.”
During Taylor’s presentation, the students’ curiosity grew once they could climb inside the tractor. “They became interested in the emission control systems and the electronic logs. They wanted to know about the volume of the trailer,” Taylor said.
For Taylor, the event allowed him to indulge one of his passions – promoting safety and impacting the lives of children.
“When you see a kid who understands the safety part because of the information you have personally given, there is no greater feeling than that.”
Interested in a driving career with Penske? Visit gopenske.com/drivers for employment opportunities. The company offers competitive wages and a wide range of benefits. Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
By Bernie Mixon
