The Voice of The Driver: Co-Creating Content That Converts

Katie George Hooser is the Chief Marketing Officer for IMC, the largest marine drayage company in the United States. In her role, Katie oversees the company’s brand, public relations, digital marketing and events. She also leads the National Driver Recruiting Department. Katie created the marketing department at IMC and lead the creation of its logo, websites, and identity materials. Prior to this, Katie served in a sales role for Intermodal Cartage. Katie has an undergraduate degree from Emory University and an MBA from Christian Brothers University. She is a current board member of Southwest Community College Foundation and of Collierville Education Foundation. 

Katie, her husband Andrew and their three children reside in Memphis, TN. 

Vanita Johnson found Women In Trucking (WIT) the summer of 2020 when she was looking for scholarships for trucking school. In the fall of 2020, she was the recipient of WIT's Ryder Charitable Foundation Scholarship and has been related to the organization ever since. 

Johnson earned her Class A CDL on November 5, 2020, after resigning from 13 years in the education field. Immediately she applied for her own authority and began her trucking business Executive Enterprises LLC on January 8, 2021. She was her own boss for two years and in February 2023 Johnson sold her truck and trailer and now drives for EPES Transport System LLC. Her next step is to become a driver trainer for EPES.

Johnson has served on WIT’s Image Team since 2021. As an Image Team member she has done numerous interviews with publications such as CNBC, Insider, Fleet Owner, and NewNation’s Morning in America. Her favorite part is encouraging others by telling her testimony about being the first truck driver in her family at the age of 49.

Mentorship is a huge part of Johnson’s contribution to the trucking industry. She successfully completed LeadHerTrucking’s 10-month pilot mentoring program in June of 2022. As a result of this program’s completion, she served on the Mentor Match Taskforce for Women in Trucking. Currently she mentors several women and a couple of men. Johnson holds her mentors in high esteem for being pioneers that have paved the way for women truckers.

When Johnson is off the road she spends her time with her son and family who supports her in all that she does.  She also goes back to schools and speaks to the students about career opportunities in trucking. Johnson has a Bachelor of Criminology Degree and a Master of Middle School Mathematics Degree. She is a woman of no regrets as she lives life stepping out on her faith in God.

Esther Parsons is a feeder driver for UPS at the Eastern Zone Regional Hub in Middletown, PA.

In 2018, Parsons left her job of 15 years as an administrative assistant in the lawn care industry to earn her CDL and become a truck driver. She jumped from the cubicle to the cab to support her two children in college. She was a linehaul driver for Yellow Freight for five years before joining UPS in May 2023.

Parsons is an outspoken advocate for women in the transportation industry. She was a mentor with LeadHERtrucking, a program that matches newcomers with mentors to help them understand and navigate the industry during their first year. She is also a Trucker Buddy with Trucker Buddy International, a pen-pal program that pairs professional drivers with classrooms.

This year, Parsons was recognized as one of Women In Trucking's 2023 “Top Women to Watch in Transportation”.