KISSIMMEE, FL. Joyce Brenny, owner of Brenny Transportation and Brenny Specialized, was named the second annual “Influential Woman in Trucking” by the Women In Trucking Assn. The award is sponsored by Navistar and was presented this week at a ceremony at the Truckload Carriers Assn. annual meeting.
The “2012 Influential Woman in Trucking” award seeks to recognize a woman in the trucking industry who makes or influences key decisions and who has demonstrated a record of responsibility and success in mentoring other women, according to the Women In Trucking Assn.
With more than 35 years of trucking experience, from her beginnings as a short-haul driver after high school, to starting and managing a 100-employee company, Brenny has worked in nearly every area of the business.
Brenny founded Brenny Transportation in 1996. The company, based in St. Cloud, MN, began with three employees and has since grown to a more than $15 million business with three additional divisions: Brenny Specialized, Brenny Global and Brenny’s national agent division.
Brenny has leveraged her position in the industry to assist charities in her community, both through financial contributions and by volunteering her and her staff’s time and talents to participate in coat and food drives, as well as a “Trucks and Toys” for the “Toys for Tots” campaign. She is the current chairwoman of the Minnesota Trucking Assn. and is the first woman to hold this title. Brenny also serves on the Women In Trucking Assn. Scholarship Foundation and has been an active member of the organization.
“We are thrilled to honor a woman who has been so influential in the trucking industry,” said Ellen Voie, president & CEO of the Women In Trucking Assn. “Joyce is an inspiration as the Women In Trucking Assn. furthers our mission to celebrate the success of women in what has traditionally been a very male-dominated industry.”
“We are proud to recognize the leadership of Joyce Brenny and other influential women in our industry,” said Phyllis Cochran, president of Navistar’s parts group. “As we seek to bring more awareness to the opportunities for women in trucking, Joyce is a great role model.”
“This year’s Influential Woman in Trucking judges received more than 100 nominations, and Joyce was a unanimous choice for the top honor,” Voie said. “The other two finalists are also exceptional role models.”
Two runners-up for this year’s award were also recognized at the TCA event: Sandra Ambrose-Clark, president, ESJ Carrier Corp., and Judy McReynolds, president and CEO, Arkansas Best Corp.
Ambrose-Clark is president of ESJ Enterprises in Cincinnati, OH, and is a founding member of the company. She has served on the USA Regional Chamber’s small business advisory board, the Transportation Intermediaries Assn. board and the Women’s Business Enterprise Council in the Southeast.
As president/CEO of Arkansas Best Corp., McReynolds is the first woman in the company’s 89-year history to hold this position. McReynolds also serves on the ATA board of directors and executive committee, as well as the American Transportation Research Institute board.
“As more women move into leadership positions within the trucking industry, it will become even more difficult to narrow the list of candidates in the future,” Voie added. “In my opinion, that’s a great obstacle to overcome, for all of us.”
The Women In Trucking Assn. was established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize the obstacles they face while building their careers.
