BREATH OF FRESH AIR - Shannon Palmer
BREATH OF FRESH AIR
Legend Nominee: Shannon Palmer
This Legend driver represents the rising force within today’s trucking market. I’m referring to the female population of professional truck drivers. With three years under her belt as a company driver for Werner Enterprises, Inc., a premier transportation and logistics provider; her passion for the industry can easily be described as honest and inspiring.
Originally from New Jersey, the youngest of three girls, Shannon Palmer grew up thinking that driving a truck was a profession women just didn’t do. Her grandfather, as well as her great grandfather both drove trucks for a living. Shannon states that she has always had an interest in trucks, but never entertained the idea of pursuing a career driving one herself. As time went on, she started to notice more women in the seat of these trucks. Then, everything began to fall into place…
Raised somewhat familiar with the lifestyle that trucking entails, being married to a truck driver wasn’t as challenging for Shannon as it would be for most wives. Only until recently, the roles of parenting in the Palmer home have completely reversed. Her husband, Joel was running over the road full-time, while Shannon stayed home to raise their two children. She worked in the medical field with hepatitis and HIV patients for fifteen years before deciding she was ready to try her hand at something new.
Joel switched to running local and stepped into his wife’s shoes as the hands-on parent, so that Shannon could attend classes to earn her CDL. She says, “My husband has been driving for 22 years, and is amazing at what he does. Now he stays home with our daughter, Trinity who is sixteen and active in sports and theater. Our oldest, Gavin is twenty-one and out on his own, but I like that he has an interest for driving in the industry too. With Joel taking the lead at home, he has been so great with everything that comes with that territory. To keep our family strong in our line of work requires a great deal of effort on both sides, and he definitely does his share. I’m so very thankful for him!”
Shannon explains that being a wife and mother, her most common question directed from other women considering trucking as a profession is: How do you deal with being away from your family? Communication is instrumental for any marriage to succeed, especially when it comes down to the strenuous demands that accompany a truck driver’s way of life. Although one parent may be away at work, this pair counterbalances the other’s absence by using the power of technology. When Shannon cannot physically attend a ballgame or dinner with the family, they improvise.
“My husband will hold up his iPad so that I can watch what he is watching. Or if I’m driving and can’t partake, he will record it and I’ll park at a truck stop when I can and not miss what’s going on.
The way Joel and I perceive our situation and why it’s so important to the both of us to see this through is because in the end, we know it will all come together. We are working towards our goal of an even greater future; all of this is basically a short-term sacrifice for a long-term goal. It’s extremely hard for me to be away from my family, but what I’m doing is beneficial for them and that is what keeps me going on my rough days. Joel reminds me that we’re doing this for a reason. Ultimately, what I do… I do for my family. It’s not easy, and that’s what I tell other drivers. The stuff that they don’t expect to impact them the most is what I try to help them prepare for.”
Due to Shannon’s work schedule, the distance between her and Trinity has in-turn strengthened their relationship. Raising a teenager can truly be a test to any parent’s patience, but with limited days together the two have grown to appreciate what quality time they do receive. A blessing that all moms can applaud and wish for; a mutual respect.
Fresh out of driving school in 2013 with zero hesitation, Shannon immediately applied for a driving position with the one company that she felt led to join, Werner Enterprises. She has earned the title as one of the company’s Driver Ambassadors, while also operating as a driver trainer. She currently trains two women students at a time. Shannon explains, “The main reason I went straight to Werner is the fact that they seek not only to gain male professional drivers, but also female. They’re an extremely ‘Pro-Women’ company. That really stood out for me and says a lot about a company. I thought, now there’s a place that I could become a part of and see myself grow! Ten percent of Werner drivers are women. That may not sound like much, but when you have 9,000 drivers in total, that is a lot of women. Plus, they treat you like family. If you want to be treated as an individual and not a truck number, Werner is the place for you. They genuinely care about their employees.”
Shannon’s enthusiasm for driving is refreshing and easily passed on to other drivers. When expressing how she feels about trucking, the positive energy she exudes cannot be denied. Solely speaking from her own experience in working for Werner Enterprises, a number of seasoned drivers made the career choice to come over too. Which subsequently, won her a brand new 2017 Freightliner Cascadia through a referral bonus program. Being awarded such a grand prize was only confirmation that her role as a female driver was making a true impact, not just in her own life, but for many others.
In hopes to stretch her words of encouragement, she wanted to extend the listening audience, and did so by tapping into the world of social media. Shannon launched a Facebook page titled, ‘Yes I am a girl yes this is my truck and no you can’t drive it.’ Serving as her personal blog, once a week she covers a different subject in reference to the trucking industry, in order to provide an array of topics for all professional drivers to discuss together. The purpose behind her blog is to present a place for new drivers to gain helpful knowledge through the various tips and tricks that she has picked up along the way, that they too can apply to their own journey as a trucker. The page also allows veteran drivers the opportunity to share their expertise and insight of the business with up and coming millennials. Shannon’s website is a great teaching source where drivers can learn from one another, give support, and offer positive advice to those that might lack a means of counsel otherwise.
Shannon runs over the road, all 48 states for two weeks then returning home for a weekend; then out again. As a selected ambassador for Werner Enterprises, she gladly serves as an advocate, participating in outreach programs for women while giving prominence to the valuable need of drivers in general.
“I go to different schools to attend career day events and speak on behalf of the driver. I’m not a recruiter; I’m not there to sell anybody anything. I just go over what to expect when they come out on the road and different ways to survive out here. I give out business cards and simply encourage drivers, especially women that are in the same situation I was once in, to go for it. I want all female drivers to know that they’re not alone on the long road ahead of them. We have answers for their questions; we have a place for them to call home; we’re a family out here… and we’re growing.”
Recognized as one of the female faces of Werner Enterprises, Shannon symbolizes the level of success that a woman can achieve as a professional truck driver. She has been featured on a brochure for women drivers, along with other promotional pieces, such as; videos, photos, and commercials aired on XM Radio. November of 2016, she was named Driver of the Month.
Coming from a background of strong, independent females, her headstrong personality came as natural as her driving abilities. Having two identical twin sisters three years older, she was given little room for error. Their mother had her plate full working and caring for three children as a single parent. Shannon explains how her sisters had a big part in helping raise her. She says, “They taught me how to make a bad situation good. And no matter what, we were to put a smile on our face and keep moving forward.” Because of her family’s tough love, Shannon’s temperament grew bold and venturous. Loving a challenge, she now pursues trucking with that same ambition. Her belief is that when you put your mind and heart to something, you can achieve it. Anything! Whether it’s driving a truck or flying a spaceship, you can do it.
Shannon’s motto that she practices daily are wise and simple words spoken by her mother: Never tell someone else to do something that you’re not willing to do yourself. She continues, “I really hone in on those words, especially as a driver trainer. There is nothing beneath me! I’ll scrub a toilet, you name it. I worked in the medical field for years, so it was all reiterated again as a trainer; the importance of treating everyone as individuals. No matter your profession or background, we are all equal.” As any job goes, after some time we need to recharge. For Shannon, getting out of the truck and spending time with her family does the trick. Making the most of every moment helps reset her mind and keeps her focused.
In addition to her mother and sisters’ powerful influence growing up, having Joel in her corner as her biggest supporter has helped shape her driving career, as well. Stating, “I couldn’t do this job without him. Every time I doubt myself, he gives me the encouragement that I need not to give up. He is always there for me when I need him, pushing me in the right direction. I feel we all need that; someone to lean on and to give you that extra nudge when you’re unsure of yourself.”
To succeed as a truck driver, along with a strong work ethic, she mentions that dedication is a ‘must-have’. In order to flourish and thrive in any given profession, you must be dedicated to it! -you have to enjoy it! -you have to love it! Attempting to achieve a goal with pure determination and honest intentions can replace the labor of work to feel less like performing a service with a more joyous fulfilled career. Shannon has discovered the best of all worlds; as a wife, mother, and business professional with hopes that her story will prove to women that it is possible to have it all.
Second, choosing what trucking company and which accounts to go with are just as imperative to a driver’s career. There are so many different opportunities within the trucking industry, that it’s important to find a lane that best fits your lifestyle. Shannon says, “Our jobs are here to support our lives. They shouldn’t become our lives. Recognize the difference. Make sure your job fits into all your other plans. Otherwise, you’re going to be miserable and you’re not going to love it like you should.”
Traveling for a living fully exceeds her desire for adventure. Taking in the beautiful scenery of our country prompted her to start a list of places that she wishes to come back and visit longer. Riding alongside Shannon is Miss Lily, her cute and cuddly companion; a two-year old, six-pound havanese long haired chihuahua. Lily enjoys being in the truck as much as her chauffeur.
All the great lengths she involves herself with day to day is to express the message, so women understand that the trucking industry is a wide and diverse field, open for their exploration. But speaking to all her fellow truckers, she insists that one element if exercised by each driver at least once a day, could make a magnificent impression throughout the entire trucking community and beyond: displaying kindness.
“I think we need to be kind to one another more, especially out here doing what we do and crossing paths among so many other people. And I’m the easy one to spot; I’m the bubbly one, always waving and smiling. My goal every day is to give one person a smile. If I can give ten, that’s even better! You never know what is going on in a person’s life at the very moment. Any little thing you can do to brighten their day… if anything, take two seconds and give a smile.”
Shannon’s warm spirit is similar to a breath of fresh air. Easy to take in and very much needed in a business known for its ever-changing regulations. This Legend driver shines a light on how rewarding and valuable women are in trucking, and what the face of empowerment truly looks like. Climbing an uphill battle, only to look back to grab the hands of strangers to help pull them up to higher ground is a sign of great leadership. For anyone curious about pursuing a life change or venturing into uncharted territory, allow Shannon’s testimony to serve as your blueprint as you take that leap.