Over a decade ago, she couldn’t have predicted that a path she hadn’t taken would become her life’s calling. Switching careers at age 50—from nearly 30 years in retail grocery after her youngest joined the military—was a bold leap. Her husband Steve invited her to ride along; she agreed, and never looked back.

“Trucking found me at a time I needed it most, and I haven’t looked back since,” Jones reflects. “You’re never too old to try something new or to completely change the direction of your life.”

Defining Moments on the Road

Her trucking career extends far beyond driving miles—it includes meaningful milestones. One standout moment came when the American Trucking Associations selected her to stand next to the President during a CRA signing ceremony supporting the auto and fuel industry.

“Standing there, I felt like I was representing not just myself, but every driver out there, especially the women who are forging new paths in this field,” she adds.

Jones has held leadership roles such as Werner Road Team Captain and participated in Operation Freedom Fleet. Her honors include inclusion on ATA’s America’s Road Team, the 2024 TA/Petro Citizen Driver Award, and a finalist spot for WIT’s 2025 Female Driver of the Year. In 2023, she also helped transport the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and decorations to Washington, D.C.

Despite the accolades, it’s the feedback from fellow women drivers that keeps her motivated:

“Every time I meet a woman who says, ‘I didn’t think I could be a truck driver until I met you,’ it reminds me why I keep going,” she says. “Representation matters.”

Challenges and Goals

Like many women in a male-dominated industry, Jones faced skepticism at first.

“There were people who didn’t take me seriously at first,” she admits. “But I stayed focused. I let my actions speak louder than words.”

Her personal goals include reaching two million miles without incident—a target she credits with giving her purpose:

“That’s the kind of goal that gets me up in the morning,” she notes.

Mentorship has played a key role in her success:

“I’ve been blessed with several mentors who saw something in me even when I was still finding my footing,” she recalls. Now she aims to return the favor.

Her involvement with WIT is especially meaningful:

“Connecting with other veteran members of WIT has been so empowering. The leadership and encouragement I’ve received have pushed me to grow and keep raising the bar for myself,” she reflects.

Looking Ahead with Purpose

Jones plans to continue driving with an emphasis on safety and mentorship. She also seeks to uplift veterans integrating into the workforce, drawing on her role with Operation Freedom Fleet.

Outside her cab, she’s training for a 50-mile march with the 50-Mile March Foundation in support of veterans facing homelessness and mental health challenges:

“It’s physically demanding, but I’m honored to walk that distance for those who’ve given so much for our country,” she says.

At home, she celebrates life with holiday decorations, multiple Christmas trees, and storytelling to her grandchildren—often gifting them I Want to Be a Trucker by Wanda Nance Brooks. She also longs to see Namibia, and when relaxing, you’ll find her watching Animal Kingdom on Netflix.

Her advice to women considering trucking is clear:

“Do your homework on potential employers, find a place that respects and supports you, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it, because you can. Set goals, work hard, and most importantly, be yourself. There’s power in showing up authentically.”

And the wisest career advice she’s received?

“Nothing we do is worth hurting yourself or others. Safety has to come first, always.”

From a midlife career pivot to standing on the White House lawn, Gina Jones shows that passion, authenticity, and grit can chart new horizons. And for her, the drive is just beginning.

Image and Source: Women In Trucking

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Christie Tilton from Eaton initially aspired to be a high school band director after graduating from Northridge High School in 2007. “I played trombone and drums and had planned to go to school for music,” Tilton shared. “But instead, I ended up working for a parking company at the Dayton Airport and eventually went into management.”

Feeling unfulfilled, Tilton described her life at that time as “wandering aimlessly.” A turning point came when her grandmother asked her to drive a motor home across the country. Tilton loved the adventure. “I had a friend who went to truck driving school, so I applied for the company he worked for,” Tilton explained. “I set out to do it just as a backup plan because I knew if I had a CDL, I would always have a job.”

Tilton landed a position at Prime, Inc., where she attended their onsite driving school with no upfront costs in exchange for a one-year commitment. “I liked it so much, I stayed for three years,” she said.

Although the long-haul lifestyle suited her initially, Tilton eventually searched for a local driving job. She joined Dart Transit, which worked with Proctor and Gamble, until it transitioned to its own private fleet, absorbing her in the process.

Today, Tilton and her partner, Whitney Hartman, juggle their family life with raising a six-year-old and Tilton’s two teen siblings. The demands of cross-country trucking no longer align with her family needs. “We would stay out on the road for two or three months at a time,” Tilton recalled. “This burns you out pretty quick.”

During her early trucking days, Tilton was fortunate to share the experience with her high school friend Jennifer Rowley, who became her co-driver. “Most people don’t make it a year,” Tilton noted. “It’s just hard when you have a family, though there are some who drive for their whole careers — 30 or 40 years.”

Earlier this year, Tilton’s remarkable contributions were recognized when her operations manager nominated her for a national award. She was one of 27 drivers across the U.S. honored with the National Driver All Star Award by the National Private Truck Council. “My manager told me I won the award, and I was going to Florida to receive it,” Tilton said. “I’ve been driving now for ten years and was with a lot of longer-tenured veteran drivers.”

The NPTC award acknowledges private fleet drivers exhibiting exemplary customer service, safety, adherence to standards, regulatory compliance, and community involvement. Out of the 27 awardees, only two were women. “This career field is still mostly male,” Tilton observed. “I know that in the past ten years, more and more women are driving. It’s rare to find women who have been driving that long.”

Following her return from Florida, Tilton accepted a promotion in operations, stepping away from driving but remaining within the industry she loves. “I took the promotion so I could be home again,” she confided. “I miss driving some days, but not when it gets cold!”

In her new role, Tilton manages drivers, conducts interviews, handles hiring, and plans routes. Looking to the future, she remains open to the possibility of returning to the road. “With kids at home, I like where I am now,” she said. “But in the future, I would like to go back to driving. Once the kids are grown and out of the house, I may look at going on the road again. I was so honored to receive the award, especially as a woman. It’s a job I love that not many women ever get to do.”

Source: Dayton Daily News

Image: Dayton Daily News

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