Sapulpa, Okla. — Rose Rojo has been named one of the five 2023 Professional Drivers of the Year by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), a distinction recognizing her more than twenty years of service in the trucking industry. The award highlights a career that began in 2000 with a chance encounter at a trucking school, where Rojo assisted her then-husband with coursework he could not fully understand due to language barriers. When the instructor realized Rojo had mastered the material while interpreting, she was encouraged to sit for her Commercial Driver’s License exam herself, launching a career that has since spanned multiple carriers and states.

The narrative of Rojo’s entry into the profession challenges the common assumption that drivers follow predictable career paths. In the early 2000s, women made up a tiny fraction of the workforce, and Rojo recalls that her husband often handled all business interactions at drop-off and pick-up locations to shield her from negative attention. Today, while the percentage of female drivers has risen to approximately 12%, Rojo notes that the industry still works to secure full acceptance and respect for women behind the wheel. Her journey includes an initial six-year stint as an owner-operator teaming up with her husband to haul grain through the Texas Panhandle, followed by a brief hiatus where she worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture before returning to the road in 2010.

Since her return to the industry, Rojo has driven for approximately four different carriers, including an eight-year tenure with John Christner Trucking in Sapulpa, Okla., where she first received recognition from the Oklahoma Trucking Association. She currently drives for R.E. Garrison, an employee-owned carrier based in Alabama. Beyond her professional duties, Rojo is deeply involved in community service, including annual mission trips to Honduras where she distributes school supplies and essential items to children. Her personal history of overcoming child abuse informs her passionate support for abused and neglected children, a cause she is dedicated to advancing through her platform as a professional driver.

What This Means for Drivers

For CDL-A driver candidates and experienced OTR truck driver professionals, Rojo’s story underscores the value of mentorship in a field that can feel isolating. She actively mentors new drivers, particularly women, sharing practical wisdom gained from two decades on the road. This support network is critical as trucking companies hiring new talent look to retain drivers who feel valued and connected. Rojo also highlights the operational challenges of modern regulation, specifically citing the rigidity of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and the scarcity of secure truck parking as significant daily hurdles. She advocates for a system that allows drivers more autonomy in managing their hours, arguing that current FMCSA regulations often force drivers into rigid schedules that exacerbate parking shortages.

Industry Reaction

The TCA’s recognition of Rojo reflects a broader industry effort to highlight diverse and impactful careers within the trucking sector. While specific comments from R.E. Garrison or John Christner Trucking were not included in the announcement, the award serves as a public acknowledgment of the professional standards and community contributions that go beyond simple mileage. For owner-operator and company drivers alike, such distinctions help humanize the profession and provide role models for those considering a career in freight. The emphasis on drivers who balance professional excellence with social responsibility aligns with growing industry initiatives to improve the public image of the trucking workforce.

Key Points

• Rose Rojo was selected as one of five 2023 TCA Professional Drivers of the Year.
• She began her career in 2000 after assisting her husband in trucking school and subsequently obtaining her own CDL.

• Photo by Tomás Asurmendi on Pexels