Harper still remembers the feeling of sitting in the car with her family as a little girl, pumping her arm in the air and waiting for a truck driver to answer with a blast of the horn. She was about nine years old, mesmerized by the sight of drivers in western shirts, blue jeans, cowboy hats, and boots with big belt buckles. To her, they were larger than life.
“That’s what I want to be when I grow up,” she recalls thinking.
Today, Harper is a City Truck Driver for FedEx Freight in Nashville, Tennessee. The road to get there was not direct, but every step along the way strengthened her resolve, sharpened her skills, and reinforced the belief that she could build the career she once only imagined.
Harper’s first job was as a bagger at Winn-Dixie in Florida. She was the first female hired in this position at her store and quickly stood out for her work ethic. By the time she was sixteen, she was working after school, steadily advancing to a cashier position and then to bookkeeper, which built a strong foundation in customer service and responsibility.
At nineteen, she moved to Tennessee with her boyfriend who was an owner operator and earned her chauffeur license that same year. Though she had the opportunity to learn to drive a truck, the experience did not unfold as she hoped. Frustrated by the lack of patience in her instruction, she stepped away from the idea and returned to retail.
For thirteen years, Harper worked at Big Lots, progressing from Customer Service Specialist to Office Coordinator and eventually to Assistant Manager. Still, something felt unfinished as the dream she had as a child never fully faded.
When she heard about a job fair hosted by FedEx Express, she decided to take a chance and was hired as a part time courier driving a step van. From there, she trained to drive a straight truck and later earned her CDL to operate a tractor trailer.
“FedEx gave me the opportunity to get my CDL, and I was finally able to start living my dream,” Harper says.
She did not stop there. Harper took a second job driving a straight truck tanker for Jacobus Energy and fueled trucks for customers on their yards. She later accepted a full-time position with Sharp Transit hauling groceries to Aldi stores, where she worked for three years. Even while gaining valuable experience, she missed working for FedEx. When she learned that FedEx Freight was hiring drivers, she applied. In 2016, she was hired as a City Driver, bringing her career full circle.
Today, Harper has worked for FedEx for seventeen years total, eight with FedEx Express and nine with FedEx Freight. She credits her retail background with helping her provide excellent service to customers each day. For Harper, professionalism and reliability are just as important as safe driving.
In 2017, Harper became a Road Team Captain and later a Road Team Captain Ambassador for the Tennessee Trucking Foundation. In 2020, she was named a Road Team Captain for the FedEx Freight Road Team. Through these roles, she visits schools and community events to educate students and families about safely sharing the road with large trucks.
Serving in these leadership positions has transformed her in ways she never anticipated. Growing up, Harper describes herself as shy and quiet and speaking in front of large groups did not come naturally. Yet stepping into the role of captain required her to present confidently, organize events, and handle unexpected changes with composure.
Becoming a Road Team Captain built her confidence and strengthened her leadership skills. Through this position, she learned how to set up events, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure each engagement ran smoothly. The experience also deepened her sense of purpose within the industry.
Her dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed. One of her proudest moments came when a customer called her manager to praise her professionalism, friendliness, and willingness to answer questions. That call led to her receiving a Bravo Zulu Award, a recognition that affirmed her commitment to service.
In 2024, Harper placed third in the four-axle competition at the Tennessee Truck Driving Championships.
Her motivation to keep advancing is rooted in love for her work and for the people around her. Harper wants to encourage more women to pursue careers in trucking saying, “go for it! It is the best decision I ever made, and it will give you independence, strength and courage. I am living my dream.”
Harper credits her father, Henry Paul Adkins, as her first and most influential role model. He was a Navy Frogman, now known as a Navy SEAL, and also served in the Army before later working as a truck driver, steelworker, and heavy equipment operator. His example of discipline and hard work left a lasting imprint.
She also honors the memory of Dandee Breadman, who passed away from cancer in 1995. The message he instilled in her remains central to her outlook – you can do or be anything you set your mind to do or be. Work hard for what you want.
Throughout the years, Harper has faced personal struggles that challenged her confidence and independence. While the experience tested her resolve, it did not define her. Two close friends from FedEx Express, Richard Johnson and Charles Smith, helped restore her belief in herself. Their encouragement reminded her of her strength and capability.
Harper values her faith, praying each day and expressing gratitude for the career she has built. She begins her mornings listening to music and centers herself by staying positive and avoiding negativity. Her personal motto is simple and powerful – learn something new every day. You stop learning, you stop living.
Outside of work, Harper enjoys shopping, spending time with friends, boating, fishing, and playing with her three Labrador retrievers. She loves being outdoors, working in the yard, and planting flowers.
From the little girl pumping her arm for a truck horn to a respected professional and leader in her field, Harper’s story is one of determination, growth, and courage. She proves that dreams planted early can take root over time and that persistence, faith, and support can carry you through even the toughest stretches of road.
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