LAS VEGAS, Nev.  — Rebecca Brewster, president and chief operating officer of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), has won the third annual Influential Woman in Trucking award at this week’s Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) annual meeting.

The award, presented by Navistar and the Women in Trucking Association (WIT), recognizes women in the trucking industry who make or influence key decisions, have a proven record of responsibility and who mentor and serve as a role model to other women.

“We want to call attention to the many contributions that women have made to the trucking industry,” said Jan Allman, vice-president of manufacturing operations at Navistar. “It’s not easy to play and win in what has traditionally been a male-dominated world, and women like Rebecca demonstrate that it can be done.”

Awards officials say Brewster’s leadership has influenced industry leaders and policymakers on numerous topics including safety, driver retention and driver health. “Her work and presence is well-known, as Brewster is often sought out for her expertise and professional opinion on a host of industry topics she examines,” officials said in a release.

“We are excited to honour a woman who has had so much influence on commercial trucking,” said Ellen Voie, WIT president and CEO. “Under Rebecca’s guidance, the American Transportation Research Institute’s research has given us insights into efficiency, safety and driver wellbeing – touching every aspect of our industry.”

Brewster has served as president and COO of ATRI, an independent research arm sponsored by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), for the past 10 years. She is also an ex officio member of the Transportation Research Board executive ommittee and an active member of its Truck and Bus Safety committee.

“This year, we received more than 100 nominations for the Influential Woman in Trucking award, and Rebecca rose to the top in a field of exceptional candidates,” said Voie. “It was a very difficult year to select a winner because many of our nominees, and certainly all of our finallists, have also done much to influence the industry.”

In fact, for the first time, WIT and Navistar honoured three runners-up for this year’s award at the TCA event, including: Sandra Ambrose-Clark, president of ESJ Carrier Corporation; Lana Batts, co-president of Driver iQ; and Judy McReynolds, president and CEO of Arkansas Best Corporation.

“These women are visible role models for our industry – helping us to pave the way for the next generation of women who will become leaders and innovators in the trucking environment,” Voie added.