NATSO, which represents the nation’s truck stops and travel plazas, has partnered with Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN), one of the largest U.S. transportation and logistics companies, in a groundbreaking safety initiative. This unique collaboration involves a CEO ride-along, aiming to strengthen ties between the travel center industry and professional truck drivers.
In a remarkable journey, NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings will be joining Werner’s professional truck driver Jennifer Evans for a week-long, 1,200-mile trip starting from Joliet, Illinois. Their route will take them through various truck stops and travel centers, with Mullings documenting her experiences to offer valuable insights to travel center leaders dedicated to enhancing driver services.
“Truck stops and travel centers serve as the home away from home for more than 3 million professional truck drivers,” said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. “By experiencing life on the road through the eyes of a professional truck driver, I have an incredible opportunity to help our industry meet the unique needs of the truck driving customer. Providing drivers with safe and secure places to stop and rest is the No. 1 priority of our industry. By ensuring a positive experience for truck drivers, we can help to ensure that commercial drivers remain in this critical profession while spurring others to consider a career as a professional driver.”
Having led NATSO for 25 years, Mullings is no stranger to the industry. She regularly visits truck stops and travel centers. In 2014, she sold her home and embarked on an extensive 40,000-mile road trip across 49 states in her 30-foot Airstream trailer, interacting with hundreds of NATSO members along the way.
“We are excited to collaborate with NATSO, as this initiative will provide invaluable real-world feedback from professional drivers to enhance the safety and overall experience at truck stops nationwide,” said Werner’s Vice President of Safety and Compliance, Jaime Hamm. “Jennifer Evans’s unique insights as a female professional driver will add exceptional value and a unique perspective on the road.”
Jennifer Evans has been an outstanding driver with Werner since 2003, earning numerous safety awards and driving 1.3 million accident-free miles. She also contributes as a Driver Ambassador and was part of Werner’s 2019 Road Team. Besides her professional contributions, Evans actively volunteers at Touch-a-Truck events and participates in Nebraska’s annual Special Olympics truck convoy.
Source: The Trucker
