Jodi Williams
Jodi Williams is a transportation industry professional with more than 15 years of experience supporting trucking companies, technology providers, and industry organizations. She currently works in membership and engagement at the California Trucking Association, where she supports more than 700 carriers and allied members by helping them navigate regulatory requirements, compliance questions, and industry policy changes. Known for her curiosity and passion for the field, Jodi combines relationship-building with practical problem-solving to help transportation companies operate successfully in a complex regulatory environment.
Jodi’s career in transportation began unexpectedly when a recruiting meeting with a telematics company led to a sales opportunity that sparked her long-term interest in transportation technology. She became an early employee at a growing telematics company that later expanded to more than 500 employees before being acquired by Verizon Connect. Over the years, she worked with fleets and carriers to implement technology solutions that improved safety, efficiency, and operational visibility, building a strong reputation for understanding the real-world needs of trucking companies.
Today, Jodi focuses on advocacy, member engagement, and industry education. Her work connects trucking professionals with critical resources related to agencies such as CARB, the DMV, DOT, and FMCSA, while also keeping members informed about legislative developments affecting the industry. A graduate of University of California, Irvine with a degree in sociology, Jodi brings a people-centered approach to her work, believing that strong relationships, ethical collaboration, and community support are essential to the continued growth and success of the transportation sector.
• UC Irvine- B.A.
• California Trucking Association
• ACCA
• Harbor Trucking Association
• Intermodal Association of North America
• Natomas Black Parents Union
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance. I think failure is inevitable, and I have a tendency to look at things and grow from my mistakes versus sitting in them. Perseverance and passion are key for me. I make sure that I'm putting everything into it that I can, just showing up at 100%.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is that it's not always about the money. In your career, you're working 40, 50, 60 hours a day, so make sure that you have work-life balance and that what you're doing, you're passionate about. Life still exists outside of your professional career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say keep your eyes open and continue to grow internally. Continue to build confidence within yourself. The main thing is we have to have confidence in ourselves in order to show that confidence to the world. Understanding yourself and the things that trigger happiness and trigger passion, those are the things that you want to focus on the most. Everything else will come into place.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I'm seeing is how much some of these regulations are impacting and affecting carriers. It's seeing that lawmakers and legislators are not as connected with the impact that some of these laws are having on the carriers specifically. Right now, I'm seeing a lot of carriers going out of business because they aren't able to operate effectively within the state of California. The best part of my job is being able to connect my members with the resources they need to continue growing and being successful, even in a difficult market.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being ethical in everything I do is most important to me. I find my reputation to be something that I covet, and I hold that very close to me. Doing business with like-minded people and building relationships is key. I think ethics is at the heart of all of it. The golden rule guides everything I do.