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Ingrid Brown: An Inspirational Figure in Trucking

In an exciting reveal at the recent Mid-America Trucking Show, the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) proudly announced that Ingrid Brown, an accomplished professional driver and operations manager with Blackjack Express, LLC, has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Driver of the Year title, generously sponsored by Walmart. This recognition not only highlights Brown’s individual accomplishments but also serves to inspire women across the industry.

A Celebration of Women in Trucking

The award ceremony took place during the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event, which honors the remarkable achievements of female truck drivers dedicated to raising professional standards in this traditionally male-dominated field. Ingrid Brown emerged victorious among a pool of four finalists, which included fellow talented drivers such as Fabiola Campos-Buenavista of FedEx Freight, Gina Jones from Werner®, and KellyLynn McLaughlin, representing Clean Harbors Environmental Services.

Jennifer Hedrick, president and CEO of WIT, commended Brown’s unwavering commitment to excellence and safety, stating that her influence inspires everyone within the trucking community.

A Remarkable Career

With a career spanning over 46 years, Ingrid Brown exemplifies leadership, safety advocacy, and a fierce dedication to uplifting women in the trucking profession. Starting as an independent owner-operator with Rollin' B LLC, Brown currently serves as operations manager for a specialized refrigerated fleet while still actively driving for Blackjack Express, handling a variety of challenging freight including heavy, oversize, and refrigerated loads.

Throughout her impressive journey in trucking, Brown’s accolades reflect her professionalism and commitment to the industry’s growth, such as receiving the National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) Woman Driver of the Year Award and the TA Petro Citizen Driver Award. Her recent induction as the inaugural member of the Mid-America Trucking Show Wall of Fame further highlights her critical role in shaping the industry.

A founding member of WIT since its inception in 2007, Brown is also entrenched in leadership, currently serving her second term on the organization’s board of directors while being an integral liaison for the Women In Trucking Foundation. Brown exemplifies resilience, having overcome melanoma cancer three times, demonstrating extraordinary perseverance in her advocacy for driver safety and community engagement.

Advocacy and Impact

Ingrid Brown’s commitment to safety has not gone unnoticed, with peers like Kristy Knichel, president of Knichel Logistics, lauding her as an exemplary figure in promoting safety and reliability within the trucking industry. Brown’s dedication underscores a fundamental truth: her actions resonate not just within her company but across the entire trucking ecosystem.

Ryan McDaniel, Walmart’s Senior Vice President of Transportation, also voiced pride in sponsoring the Driver of the Year award, emphasizing its alignment with Walmart’s values of safety, excellence, and inclusivity in transportation. Brown’s accomplishments uniquely align with the purpose of this award: to spotlight female drivers who elevate industry standards through their commitment to safety and professionalism.

Conclusion

As the 2026 Driver of the Year, Ingrid Brown not only celebrates her personal achievements but also symbolizes the extraordinary progress women are making in the trucking industry. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of how uncompromising dedication and advocacy can inspire others and significantly enhance the narrative surrounding women in trucking. The Women In Trucking Association continues to support such efforts, emphasizing the need for diversity and advancement opportunities for women in all levels of the industry.

To discover more about WIT and its ongoing initiatives, interested individuals can visit womenintrucking.org.