Louisville, KY — The Women in Trucking Association (WIT) has officially named its four finalists for the 2025 Driver of the Year Award, a recognition program sponsored by Walmart that highlights women who set the standard for safety and professional conduct on the highway. This year’s shortlist features Ericka Norfleet, Gina Jones, Kathy Blaies, and Sandy Winters, all of whom have demonstrated exceptional career longevity and commitment to the industry.
These drivers represent a diverse cross-section of the freight sector, ranging from owner-operator roles to specialized car-hauling. The association focuses on honoring individuals who do more than just haul freight; they act as ambassadors who improve the public perception of the trucking industry. The final winner will be crowned during the upcoming “Salute to Women Behind the Wheel” event held at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville on March 28.
Ericka Norfleet, an owner-operator with R.E. Garrison Trucking, Inc., has logged over one million safe miles since getting her CDL in 2015, balancing a demanding career with raising seven children. Gina Jones of Werner brings 2.5 million accident-free miles to the table, having transitioned into trucking later in life at age 50. Kathy Blaies, known as “Carhaul Kathy,” has spent two decades at United Road with a pristine safety record that includes multiple Gold Elite Driver Awards. Sandy Winters, a company driver at Leonard’s Express, rounds out the group, representing the high level of skill found in regional and OTR operations today.
What This Means for Drivers
Recognition programs like this serve as a benchmark for what it takes to thrive as a CDL-A driver in a challenging economic climate. For those currently exploring truck driver jobs, these finalists demonstrate that longevity and accident-free performance remain the most valuable assets a driver can possess. Owner-operator success stories like Norfleet’s prove that despite rising insurance and maintenance costs, there is still a clear path to building a sustainable career through disciplined safety habits and operational consistency.
Industry Reaction
The selection of these finalists underscores a broader industry push to professionalize the driver experience and highlight the career paths available to women in an often male-dominated field. By partnering with major carriers like Walmart, WIT is effectively drawing attention to the tangible benefits of safe driving, including lower insurance premiums and better equipment access. As trucking companies hiring continue to search for reliable talent, highlighting these specific drivers provides a roadmap for fleet managers to retain top-tier personnel by fostering environments that reward safety and leadership.
Key Points
- Ericka Norfleet has logged over one million safe miles while operating as an owner-operator since 2015.
- Gina Jones, a Werner driver, earned the 2024 TA Citizen Driver Award and has logged 2.5 million accident-free miles.
- Kathy Blaies has secured the Gold Elite Driver Award four times during her twenty-year career at United Road.
- The winner will be announced March 28, 2025, at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
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