The association announced Roberts as this year’s recipient on October 27 during its Accelerate! Conference & Expo in Dallas. Sponsored by TrueBlue’s Centerline Drivers, the annual award recognizes women whose leadership and accomplishments have made a significant impact on the trucking industry.

Roberts was selected from three finalists, including Angela Lentz, chief people officer at Daimler Truck North America, and Sauny Tucker, CEO of Tucker Freight Lines.

Roberts’ Career in Transportation and Fleet Leadership

Roberts currently serves as senior vice president of North America Supply Chain for PepsiCo Beverage US and PepsiCo Foods US. Her responsibilities span manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, fleet operations, and other supply chain functions.

She has spent 26 years with Frito-Lay, holding positions in field operations and corporate transportation management. Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from Arizona State University and received her Certified Transportation Professional designation in 2009.

Her involvement in the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) has also been a significant part of her career. She chaired the organization’s Institute Board of Governors from 2014 through 2022 and currently serves as chair of the NPTC Board of Directors.

Beyond her transportation responsibilities, Roberts has supported employee development through several Frito-Lay and PepsiCo employee resource groups. Her leadership roles have included the Women’s Inclusion Network and PepsiCo Asian Network, along with serving as executive sponsor of the EQUAL employee resource group.

Roberts was previously a finalist for the Influential Woman in Trucking award in 2022. Earlier this year, she also received an Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award from the Asian American Business Development Center.

Award Presented at Women In Trucking Conference

The announcement followed a conference panel titled “The Ripple Effect: Influence That Lifts Others,” featuring Roberts, Lentz, and Tucker. Jill Quinn, president of Centerline Drivers, moderated the discussion, which focused on the finalists’ professional experiences and approaches to leadership.

WIT interim CEO Lana Nichols praised Roberts’ career and her contributions to the industry.

“Her influence reaches across supply chain, private fleets, and the communities she serves,” Nichols said in the association’s announcement.

Quinn also congratulated Roberts, recognizing her commitment to supporting others throughout her career.

Established in 2010, the Influential Woman in Trucking award honors women working across transportation, including corporate leadership, manufacturing, fleet operations, and professional driving. Previous recipients include executives and industry professionals from Old Dominion Freight Line, J.B. Hunt, UPS, and PACCAR.

Roberts joins that group following more than two decades of work in transportation and supply chain leadership.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: November 3, 2026

Source: Truckers News

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Recognizing Excellence in Transportation

PepsiCo awarded Averitt this top distinction for their outstanding truckload services, highlighting their unmatched reliability and impressive performance.

“This award is a testament to the dedication of our associates and their commitment to delivering outstanding service,” shared Kent Williams, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Averitt. “We are proud to be recognized by Pepsi and look forward to continuing to meet and exceed expectations.”

A Standout Partner for PepsiCo

Among the South Division’s top five carriers for truckload volume, Averitt was specifically recognized for its superior on-time delivery performance, which exceeded PepsiCo’s stringent benchmarks. This reliability played a crucial role in earning the company this recognition.

Delivering Versatile Transportation Solutions

Averitt’s truckload services span a variety of industries, providing solutions for dry van transport, hazmat shipping, and production and event logistics. Their consistent quality and dedication to customer success position them as a leading choice for partners like PepsiCo.

For more information on Averitt’s truckload offerings, visit Averitt.com/Truckload.

Source: The Trucker

Image: Averitt

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Walmart’s ascendancy is not solely based on fleet enhancement; the company has also dedicated considerable resources to its driver workforce. By elevating driver pay and introducing a comprehensive training program, Walmart is converting in-store and warehouse employees into professional drivers. The first participants from this initiative hit the roads last year, emphasizing Walmart’s commitment to cultivating talent from within.

This achievement signifies a noteworthy resurgence for Walmart, which last dominated the rankings in 2002, a year notable for the divestiture of its food service distribution arm, McLane Co., to Berkshire Hathaway. Despite this separation, McLane continues to be a formidable private fleet operator, currently ranked No. 8 on the list.

The latest Transport Topics list also reveals significant industry trends, especially regarding mergers and acquisitions. Dollar General, for instance, has made its inaugural appearance at No. 18 after expanding its fleet to more than 2,000 tractors, while The Home Depot enters the rankings at No. 50 post-acquisition of SRS Distribution.

Other newcomers to the list include Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Matheson Tri-Gas, Cheney Brothers, and AutoZone Inc. The meticulous compilation of this list by Transport Topics relies on data gathered from fleet surveys, discussions with company leadership, and public registration records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, ensuring comprehensive industry insights.

Source: Truckers Report & Transport Topics

Image: Transport Topics

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