For seven years, Leon hesitated to pursue a trucking career, opting instead to work at a Toys R Us warehouse. Each year, the company offered select employees the chance to train for their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), and each time, Leon held back. However, in her seventh year, she boldly declared to her husband, “I’m just gonna do it,” and embarked on her trucking journey without looking back.

Now a seasoned driver at 4Gen Logistics, Leon navigates California’s ports, traveling approximately 100,000 miles annually. Her initial foray into trucking was daunting; her first drive for Toys R Us took 10 hours without a cell phone or GPS, and she frequently received incorrect directions from clerks. Despite this challenging start, Leon found freedom and a reprieve from the repetitive warehouse routine. “I can go to the same port every single day for a month and it’s something different,” she shared.

Leon was nominated for the Road Warrior award by her daughter, Jessica Beasley, who highlighted Leon’s unwavering dedication to her roles as a driver, mother, and grandmother. “She can work so hard at her job and she is so dedicated, but she is also dedicated as a mother and a grandmother,” Beasley said tearfully. “She balances it all and is the matriarch of our family. I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”

Reflecting on her career, Leon noted that she was one of only four women drivers at Toys R Us when she started, often encountering skepticism from male colleagues. Yet, she now sees more women taking on driving roles and other positions at ports, some of whom seek her advice about entering the profession. Despite standing just 5-foot-3, her toughness and ambition have always shone through. “She’s so ambitious,” Beasley praised. “She just kept doing what she loved doing. She rose above and continued to do what she loves.”

Leon encourages more women to consider trucking, a career she wholeheartedly endorses. “If I could do it, they can do it,” she affirmed, echoing the sentiments of the Women In Trucking Association, which reports that women comprise about 12% of CDL holders. Her passion for trucking has even influenced her son, who now drives for Amazon and often seeks her counsel.

In addition to the grand prize, Leon received another $1,000 from the Pilot contest. She plans to use the funds for home improvements and possibly a vacation with her husband. Until then, she remains committed to the road, embodying the spirit and resilience of a true Road Warrior.

Source: Freightwaves

Image: Pilot Flying J

The post From Warehouse Worker to Pilot’s Road Warrior, Liz Leon’s Story appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Liz Leon, boasting over 19 years of professional driving experience, plays a crucial role at 4Gen Logistics by transporting containers to and from Southern California’s bustling ports. Her career began with Toys R Us, where her love for the open road was ignited. Averaging 100,000 miles annually without any accidents, Liz has also been acknowledged by the California Trucking Association for her exemplary driving skills.

The Pilot team orchestrated a surprise visit to Rialto, California, on October 22 to celebrate Leon’s achievement before her shift at 4Gen Logistics. Joining this heartwarming event were her colleagues and family members, including her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

Jordan Spradling, Vice President of Transportation and Logistics at Pilot, expressed his admiration by stating, “Congratulations to this year’s Road Warrior, Liz Leon, who stood out among the many deserving drivers we read about during the contest,” said Jordan Spradling, vice president of transportation and logistics at Pilot. “We appreciate all the nominations and stories of drivers like Liz, Herschel, Joe, and Roy, who show up day in and day out, put in countless hours and miles and embody everything we value at Pilot. “This year, the Road Warrior contest introduced a new format, selecting four weekly winners who each received $1,000 and a chance at the grand prize. Alongside Liz, other weekly champions included:

• Herschel Evans from Bremen, Georgia, boasts over 38 years of driving experience and 3.5 million safe miles. His dedication to helping families is evident through his involvement in initiatives like Atlanta Ride for Kids, Convoy of Care, and Safety Drive for a Cure.

• Joe Mondor from Grand Forks, North Dakota, has amassed 4.5 million safe miles during his 33 years in trucking. Renowned as a safety leader and mentor, Joe is respected for his professionalism.

• Roy Prentice from Reno, Nevada, has surpassed 3 million safe miles in more than 30 years of driving. He is celebrated for his commitment to assisting others both in the community and on the road.

These outstanding drivers exemplify the spirit of dedication and service that Pilot values and are a testament to the professionals who keep our roads safe and our supply chains running smoothly.

Source: Truckers News

Image: Pilot

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