The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Wanda Brooks as its December 2025 Member of the Month. Brooks is the compliance manager at R.E. Garrison Trucking.
The trucking industry is full of individuals whose dedication keeps America moving, yet some stand out for the depth of their commitment and the purpose that drives their work. Brooks is one of those individuals. As Compliance Manager at R.E. Garrison Trucking, she brings more than experience to her role. She brings heart, conviction, and a lifelong mission to uplift the people behind the wheel. Her path into trucking was shaped by family, strengthened by loss, and defined by an enduring respect for professional drivers. Today, her leadership, advocacy, and creativity continue to reflect that respect in every part of her career.
Brooks has been with R.E. Garrison for three years, but her connection to trucking began long before that. As a child, she spent weekends climbing into her stepdad’s truck, pretending to drive and imagining what it would be like to be part of an industry that touches every household in America. Those early memories planted the seeds of a deep admiration for drivers and the sacrifices they make for their families and for the nation. That admiration became personal when her uncle, a professional driver, gave his life on the road to save someone else. His heroic act never left her. Brooks carries that story as a reminder of the courage and humanity that define so many drivers whose work often goes unseen.
Her step into the industry came in 1994 in Forest, Mississippi. Throughout the next three decades, she built a career marked by versatility and steady growth. She has worked as a driver recruiter, load planner, log auditor, safety team member, and now serves as compliance manager. Each role allowed her to deepen her understanding of the driver experience while shaping her commitment to safety and operational excellence. In 2024, she reached an important professional milestone by earning the NATMI Certified Director of Safety designation, a credential that reflects years of expertise and her focus on supporting fleets through precision, accountability, and care.
“Trucking is more than a career. It is a calling,” Brooks said when asked what she would tell other women considering a future in this field. “There is a place for women here, whether behind the wheel, in safety, compliance, or leadership. Step forward with courage, work hard, and know that you can make a difference. This industry needs your voice and your passion.”
While Brooks is known for her leadership in compliance and safety, she is also recognized for something uniquely hers. She is an author with six published books, each inspired by her desire to encourage, educate, and uplift. Her most recent book, I Want to Be a Trucker, is written for children and introduces them to the vital role of trucking and shares lessons rooted in faith and family. Through storytelling, she hopes to inspire young readers to dream boldly and to see the people behind the supply chain with gratitude and respect.
Her passion for advocacy extends far beyond her writing as Brooks is an active member of several industry organizations, including Truckers Against Trafficking, Truckload Carriers Association, Women In Trucking, and the Alabama Trucking Association Safety and Maintenance Management Council. These affiliations reflect her belief that progress in trucking requires unity, awareness, and shared responsibility. Much of her volunteer work focuses on improving the public image of the industry, strengthening support for professional drivers, and highlighting the essential nature of freight transportation in everyday American life.
When she speaks about the role of drivers and those who support them, Brooks often returns to the story of her uncle as his sacrifice is more than a family memory. It is a symbol of what drivers often face and the choices they make in moments where character matters most. Brooks continues to share his story because it illustrates what she considers the core truth of the industry. Drivers are heroes in plain sight. They keep shelves stocked, hospitals supplied, families fed, and communities connected. Their work deserves recognition, advocacy, and care.
Her work in compliance reinforces that belief and she is known for the way she approaches safety with compassion, clarity, and an understanding of the pressures drivers face. Compliance, in her view, is not about rule enforcement alone. It is about protecting the lives and livelihoods of the men and women who spend their days and nights on the road. She understands the stakes because she has seen them firsthand. Her leadership style is grounded in service, and her colleagues know her for her integrity, creativity, and calm approach to challenges.
Brooks has built a reputation in her state and across the country as a leader who works tirelessly to uplift others by mentoring upcoming professionals, supporting new drivers, and providing guidance to women looking to find their place in trucking. Her involvement in organizations and industry councils is not only about professional development but about helping shape a stronger, safer, and more respected industry for future generations.
Her creativity is another part of what sets her apart as her blend of safety leadership and authorship is rare, and her ability to connect those worlds speaks to her understanding of what trucking needs. Through her books, she introduces positive imagery of the industry to children and families who might not otherwise see it. Through her work, she ensures the systems that support drivers are grounded in accountability and care. Through her advocacy, she elevates conversations about safety, human dignity, and the moral weight carried by those who move America’s freight.
Brooks continues to lead with humility and purpose while honoring her stepdad, whose truck sparked her childhood interest. She honors her uncle, whose bravery guides her mission. She honors the drivers she serves each day by working to create safer and more supportive environments. Her story is one of resilience, service, and faith. It is also a reminder that the trucking industry is powered not only by freight but by people who believe deeply in the work they do.
In every chapter of her career, Brooks has demonstrated the power of advocacy built on personal experience and heartfelt commitment. Her leadership at R.E. Garrison, her contributions within national organizations, her writing, and her mentorship all reflect a life dedicated to strengthening the profession she grew up admiring. Her journey shows that when purpose meets action, one person can transform not only a workplace but an entire community of professionals.
Brooks is a leader worth celebrating, and her voice continues to make a meaningful impact on the industry she has devoted her life to.
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