Raquel Sanchez has been named Member of the Month for November by the Women in Trucking Association, after setting a milestone in the freight transportation industry.
Raquel Sanchez worked her way up through the ranks at United Parcel Service (UPS) loading trucks before securing a driver position in February. Sanchez indicated her truck driver father, Jim Sanchez, inspired her to get her CDL while she was serving in the National Guard. Since completing her service, she and her father quickly became the first father-daughter long-haul tandem on the West Coast.
“As someone who is just starting their career, I feel blessed to have my dad by my side as a mentor,” Sanchez reportedly said. “In 1997, my dad was on the first experimental UPS sleeper team when I was just seven years old. Who would have thought I would be his partner all these years later?”
Growing up in a trucking family provides Sanchez with practical insights about doing the job, as well as a perspective of how hauling freight fits into the big picture. Driving truck is a sedentary occupation, and she remains vigilant about eating healthy foods and exercising. And the fact truckers are doing their part to maintain the country’s supply chains is not lost on her.
“More than 70 percent of goods and services are delivered by trucks and being able to deliver loads on time gives you a sense of self-importance and value and I feel proud of the work I do after completing my last stop of the day,” Sanchez reportedly said.
Leathers Named to ATRI Board
The president and CEO of Werner Enterprises was recently appointed chairman of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) board of directors. Derek Leathers succeeds Judy McReynolds, who recently completed an eight-year stint on the ATRI board.
“Derek has been a strong supporter of ATRI’s research in his years of service on our board and is well-respected throughout the industry,” ATRI president Rebecca Brewster reportedly said. “We look forward to his tenure as ATRI chair.”
Leathers has been with the ATRI board since 2015, a group comprised of 13 trucking sector leaders. He brings more than 30 years of transportation and logistics experience to the table. Leathers has reportedly been with Werner for upwards of 20 years. He also serves on the boards of the American Trucking Associations, and the Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
Sources: womenintrucking.org, trucknews.com
Leave a Comment