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20 QUESTIONS WITH ELLEN VOIE
March - April 2010
President, CEO and Founder of Women in Trucking
A Little about Ellen: Ellen's background in the trucking industry began in 1980, when she earned a diploma in Traffic and Transportation Management while employed as Traffic Manager for a steel fabricating plant in central Wisconsin. She later worked as a dispatcher for a grain hauling carrier prior to becoming co-owner of a small fleet. After starting a family, Ellen used her background to become a freelance transportation consultant to carriers in Wisconsin, licensing and permitting trucks for more than 16 years. During that time, Ellen earned her Master's Degree in Communication from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, where she completed her Thesis research on the complex identities of women married to professional drivers.
For a complete Bio on Ellen please Click Here
Also find information on Women In Trucking Click Here
Ellen Voie: I was hired as a mechanical drafter at a steel fabricating plant after high school. They had an opening in the traffic department, so I accepted the position of Assistant Traffic Manager. After earning my diploma in Traffic & Transportation Management, I was promoted to role ofTraffic Manager. I was responsible for shipping all incoming raw materials (steel tubing, bars, coils, etc) and the outgoing material handling equipment (cantilever racks, pallets, bins, etc.) I learned to read tariffs, quote freight rates for the sales department and managed our small private fleet. After I started my family I used my training to become a free lance Transportation Consultant, which I did for 16 years. I licensed and permitted trucks and kept the fleet and drivers current on their regulatory requirements.
TP: How many years have your been involved with the industry?
Ellen Voie: I received my diploma in Traffic & Transportation Management in 1980. So, I have been in the trucking industry for nearly 30 years!
TP: Tell us a little about the positions you have held or currently hold in the industry?
Ellen Voie: As I mentioned, I worked as a freelance consultant to motor carriers in central Wisconsin for 16 years. In 2000 I was hired as the Executive Director at Trucker Buddy International, a position I held for six years. In 2006 I joined Schneider National as Manager of Recruiting and Retention Programs where I was responsible for corporate level initiatives to attract and retain drivers. In March of 2007 I started the Women In Trucking Association and in 2008 I became the President/CEO of the organization.
TP: What type of music motivates you?
Ellen Voie: I don't credit music for providing motivation. While I enjoy soft rock type of genre, I am not passionate about music.
TP: What trade magazines / websites do your read / visit most?
Ellen Voie: I read just about all of the trucking industry publications so I can stay current on transportation related issues. I also read a lot of magazines related to flying, as I hold a private pilot's license and enjoy flying as a hobby.
TP: What can you be found doing when you have downtime?
Ellen Voie: When the skies are blue and the winds are calm you can find me in a single engine Cessna. I also walk for exercise every day, which can be a challenge during Wisconsin winters. I am a voracious reader and spend a lot of time with my nose in a book.
TP: What is the biggest goal you would like to accomplish?
Ellen Voie: I would like to see Women In Trucking grow to be a resource for all women who are looking at careers in the trucking industry. When every other driver on the road, mechanic in the shop and corporate level leader is a woman, then we will have achieved our goal. Then, we will set new goals!
TP: What has been the most challenging obstacle for you in this industry?
Ellen Voie: For some reason people assume that Women In Trucking is just about drivers. It's not. We represent all roles in the trucking industry. If you attend any event in trucking you will see 20 men for every woman there. We need more women as safety directors, technicians, CEOs and more.
TP: In your opinion what is the biggest obstacle truck driver's face today?
Ellen Voie: Professional drivers suffer from a negative image. They don't feel valued for the job they do each day. Maneuvering an 80,000# tractor-trailer alongside four-wheelers who don't know how to share the road is very difficult. I attended driver-training academy to obtain my CDL just so I could appreciate the experience drivers face to get their CDLs. It's not easy, and as I learned on Cleveland area highways in a tractor-trailer with "STUDENT DRIVER" all over it, people still cut in front of me, drove in my blind spots and expected me to react to their ineptness.
TP: In your opinion what is the biggest obstacle women truck driver's face today?
Ellen Voie: Women who choose to be professional drivers have many obstacles. First, many of their male peers do not welcome women into the industry and they make their attitudes known over the CB, in the truck stops and at the terminal. Secondly, women are more concerned with safety and security, especially while they are on the road or at a travel center. More precautions must be made for women who travel alone and we are working with the truck stop industry to make positive changes for safety, which ultimately benefit men as well as women. Finally, since the trucking industry has been so male dominated in the past, some practices still reflect this bias. Trying to find clothing or footwear in a travel center is a challenge for women, as well as finding amenities like personal care products in the C Store. There are still loading docks that do not have restrooms for women and some carriers still give out big belt buckles for safe driving awards! We need to be vocal and let these companies know that women should be given a level playing field.
TP: You do a lot of shows and events. Do you have one favorite memory from them?
Ellen Voie: When we first started Women In Trucking and I would attend a show, women would come up to our booth and say, "Where have you been?" They were thrilled that someone was actually looking out for their interests and would represent them in the industry. Next March we are planning to host the Women In Trucking "Salute to the Women Behind the Wheel" where we will offer entertainment, refreshments, lots of giveaways and most importantly, the chance for networking. We will take a photo of all the women who are professional drivers and hopefully break the Guinness World Record of 416! I am truly looking forward to making this a fun event!
TP: What one thing would you change with the industry if you could?
Ellen Voie: I would like to see more female trainers so that women who wish to become professional drivers have the option to be trained by a woman. I realize that this will take time, but it's urgently needed now to accommodate the women entering the industry today.
TP: What advice would you give new women drivers?
Ellen Voie: The best advice I can give women drivers is that always act from a position of power. Don't be a victim and don't let anyone tell you that you can't succeed. Women are just as capable as men, and in many cases are more qualified. Keep your head high and act like the professional that you are.
TP: What is new with Women In Trucking?
Ellen Voie: We are working hard to create positive change in the industry. From working with travel centers to make their facilities more driver friendly, to working with carriers on anti-harassment policies for driver trainer-trainee situations. We are wish to better educate and empower our members and have added an "As the Expert" section on our website.
TP: What is your opinion of CSA2010? What effect do you think it will have on the industry?
Ellen Voie: I believe that CSA 2010 will make our organization even more valuable as many drivers will be ineligible due to health or driving record issues. As the economy improves and freight begins to move again, more drivers will be needed to fill those trucks.
TP: Jason's Law. From your position do you see progress being made?
Ellen Voie: Safe parking areas are crucial for all drivers. The carriers who recognize this and offer areas for their drivers will be seen as innovative. The travel centers are also trying to better accommodate drivers at their facilities. If this legislation brings these issues into the public forum for each entity to address, it could benefit all of us.
TP: Are you still involved with Trucker Buddy?
Ellen Voie: Not in an official capacity, but I remain in contact with many of the Trucker Buddy drivers who I met during my time with the organization.
TP: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Ellen Voie: I see myself still heading Women In Trucking, but with a larger organization and more influence as a leading association in the industry.
TP: Where do you see the trucking industry in 10 years?
Ellen Voie: I believe that the trucking industry will evolve into a more professional one. If drivers are viewed as skilled labor and respected by the motoring public, we will have achieved a great deal of advancement in regard to image. I also think that the job will change to allow drivers to have more quality time away from the truck. This could mean more regional runs; more drop and hook opportunities and shorter time away from home. The equipment will change to better use technology to make the job less physically demanding. Cranking dollies and unloading cargo will hopefully be eliminated for all drivers in the future.
TP: What's next for Ellen Voie?
Ellen Voie: I am networking with other organizations that address women's careers in blue-collar industries. I am organizing a blue-collar women's summit and inviting women in construction, metal industries, timber, towing and recovery and mining in addition to others. We can all learn from one another and hopefully avoid mistakes others have made and to benefit from their knowledge in their respective industries.
TP: Did we forget anything? If you have anything to add here is the place!
Ellen Voie: My passion for drivers and their families relates to my personal background. I was married to a professional driver for 20 years and helped manage our small fleet of trucks for many years. During this time, I earned my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in communication. My graduate research focused on women married to professional drivers and their diverse identities. Since then, I have written two more books about family dynamics ("Marriage in the Long Run" and "A Workbook for Professional Drivers and their families") as well as the book, "Crushing Cones: What to expect when attending truck driving school." I write for numerous industry publications each month (Driving Force, Logistics Quarterly, etc) and have a blog at BigTruckTV.com.
Ellen, thank you so much for taking the time to be a part of Truckerzparadise! We appreciate all that you do for the industry!
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