Welcome to the second installment of DriverReach Chats! As the trucking industry continues to navigate this unprecedented period, DriverReach CEO Jeremy Reymer will sit down with industry leaders to discuss some of the biggest topics, trends, and challenges facing the industry. You can watch these chats for free on the DriverReach YouTube page.
In today’s DriverReach chat, Jeremy connected with Leah Shaver, President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI). After running the organization for the last five years as COO, Leah stepped into the CEO position in early 2020 – the perfect time to face the challenge of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Despite dealing with this interesting (to say the least!) transition period, Leah remains optimistic about the industry and the driver outlook.
“NTI is now a necessity in the trucking industry for equity analysts and shippers to gauge and understand what is happening in the driver market,” Leah said to Jeremy. “And we are nothing without our drivers.”
Some standout points from Leah and Jeremy’s conversation include the:
- Understanding that trucking seems to forecast what’s going to happen in the overall economy through supply and demand.
- Changes that carriers are making to provide PPE, food, and even water to drivers who are working during this time.
- Realization that, if things don’t bounce back soon, cuts will have to be made.
In addition to her work with NTI, Leah is also a host on Sirius XMs Road Dog Trucking Radio. Road Dog Live is a 3-hour live show where drivers can call in with questions or discussion topics. The best part of this show, in Leah’s eyes, is that drivers are looking for a conversation where they can provide input and feedback about the industry.
Leah’s work with Women in Trucking (WiT) led to Women in Trucking Show host Ellen Voie to bring Leah on board as a co-host for the show at the height of Covid-19 in April. Leah has been on the board of WiT since 2016 and is the chair of the organization’s membership committee. Together, Ellen and Leah discuss the positive acts of kindness that drivers and carriers have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This time has been so challenging for many of us personally,” Leah told Jeremy. “To be going through a pandemic that is so ‘unprecedented’, it helps to look for a ray of sunshine.”
As a respected thought leader and well-recognized voice in the industry, Leah is constantly looking to connect and engage with others in the space. You can:
- Listen to Leah’s shows on Sirius XM: facebook.com/leahshaversiriusxm
- Connect with Leah on LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/leahbshaver
- Follow Women in Trucking’s initiatives: www.womenintrucking.com
- Visit the NTI website to learn more: www.driverwages.com
Stay up to date on CDL trucking trends! Be sure to check out the DriverReach blog or follow us on LinkedIn for other relevant articles and head over to our webinars page for an up-to-date list of upcoming events and on-demand recordings.
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