Daphne Jefferson Announced As 2017 Influential Women In Trucking

by Jake Tully - Published: 11/07/2017

Following a several month period of searching for the Influential Woman in Trucking, Freightliner Trucks along with the Women In Trucking Association named Daphne Johnson, Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as the recipient of the 2017 award.

According to Women In Trucking, Jefferson was announced as the 2017 recipient of the award during the panel discussion entitled “Four Steps Women Take To Become Successful Business Leaders” during the Women In Trucking Accelerate! Conference & Expo in Kansas City, Missouri earlier this week.

Jefferson was reportedly presented the award by director of used truck acquisitions and operations for Daimler Trucks North America and Chairwoman of WIT, Mary Aufdemberg.

"As the female demographic grows in our industry, more and more women are gaining recognition for their outstanding leadership and professionalism," said Aufdemberg. "Women In Trucking is an important organization and I am proud to be part of this community and honored to present this award to Daphne Jefferson."

Women In Trucking reports that the Influential Women in Trucking award recognizes women in the industry who influence or make key decisions, mentor and serve as role model for other women in trucking as well those who have a record of responsible behavior in their role.

According to Women In Trucking, Jefferson received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service in 2016, the top award issued by the government for excellent in civil service.

“The Pew Research Center did a study about women and leadership,” said Jefferson. Even though women are as capable as men in positions of power, barriers continue to persist. As a public servant on the regulatory side of the trucking industry, I try every day to remove the barriers and dispel any myths about women in this industry and in leadership. It is important that women such as myself and the other nominees for this distinguished award serve as a pipeline for future female leaders. When one of us succeeds, all of us succeed.”

As FMCSA Administrator, Jefferson’s role is the senior career official responsible for safety within trucks and buses on the roadways of the United States.

“The safe and efficient movement of freight is essential to our nation’s economy, and I strive to make sure that the needs of all stakeholders are represented at the Department of Transportation,” said Jefferson. “Every day our FMCSA employees in every state are focused on preventing crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving large trucks and buses.”

Ellen Voie, President and CEO of Women In Trucking reports that Jefferson receiving the award is a testament to the influential nature that the FMCSA can have upon the industry, as well as the testament of one woman’s influence upon another.

“We are truly honored to have such a positive relationship with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration through Daphne Jefferson. She took the time and made the effort to spend two days in the truck with two of our female drivers in order to better understand the industry from the driver’s perspective, and this helped her lead the agency. She is one of the most influential women in the trucking industry and we are pleased to recognize her with this award,” said Voie.

Women in Trucking reports that the finalists of the Influential Woman in Trucking Award for 2017 were CEO and founder of Blue Bloodhound Tana Greene and Sr. Manager of Fleet Services, Contract Freighters, Incorporated, Traci Crane.