Stephanie Siegel

I attribute my success to hard work, a willingness to take direction, and a commitment to continuous learning. I started my career in data entry at Skyline Transportation and worked my way up to Safety Director, earning my Certified Director of Safety and Certified Safety Compliance Manager credentials along the way. Early in my career, nearly five years as a supervisor at Chick-fil-A taught me the value of exceptional customer service, leadership, and a strong work ethic. I have continued to grow through opportunities such as teaching CDL permit classes, completing the Vistage Leadership Program, participating in the Crestcom Leadership Program, and serving as chair of the Young Professionals Council in East Tennessee, all of which have strengthened my leadership skills and passion for developing others.

The best career advice I have ever received is to never stop learning. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new, whether it's from a success, a mistake, or someone with more experience than you.

I've also learned that growth comes from being willing to take chances. Some of the biggest opportunities in my career came from stepping into roles that felt intimidating and challenging myself to pursue goals that others thought were out of reach. Even when things don't go exactly as planned, you gain knowledge, confidence, and experience that move you forward.

Finally, always try to see the bigger picture. Stay confident, keep an open mind, and consider different perspectives before making decisions. The ability to continue learning, embrace challenges, and view situations from multiple angles has shaped not only my career, but the leader I strive to be every day.

My advice to young women entering the transportation industry is to learn everything you can and never stop learning. No matter how much experience you gain, there is always something new to learn every day.

Hold your head high and believe in yourself, but stay humble. Don't walk into the industry thinking you know everything. Listen, ask questions, and be willing to learn from the people around you. Some of the greatest lessons come from those who have spent years doing the job.

Be understanding and try to see every situation from different perspectives. Strong leaders are those who listen before they react and who take the time to understand others.

Most importantly, don't let the fact that transportation is a male-dominated industry make you question whether you belong. You absolutely do. Your knowledge, work ethic, and character will speak louder than anything else. The respect you earn won't come because you're a woman; it will come because you've proven yourself through hard work, integrity, and perseverance. And when you look back and realize you've earned the respect of people from every background, every age, and every level of experience, it will be one of the most rewarding accomplishments of your career.

One of the biggest challenges in the transportation industry today is recruiting and retaining qualified drivers. It's something carriers across the country are working to improve, and there isn't a single solution. The industry is constantly evolving, so we have to keep evolving with it. Whether it's improving company culture, strengthening communication, recognizing drivers for the work they do, or finding better ways to support them, we're always looking for new ideas that make a lasting difference.

For me personally, one of my greatest opportunities has been the chance to help grow Pemberton Truck Lines and Specialty Transport. John Pemberton has trusted me as a leader and has always valued my ideas and input. That trust has given me the opportunity to help shape processes, improve safety, strengthen retention, and contribute to the company's long-term vision.

My goal is simple: to help build something truly special. I want to look back years from now and know that I played a meaningful role in helping this company grow into everything we believed it could become. Being part of that journey is one of the most rewarding opportunities of my career.

The values that guide me most, both professionally and personally, are integrity, compassion, innovation, honesty, and kindness. I believe in doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, treating people with respect, and always looking for ways to improve.

At Pemberton Truck Lines, our core values of integrity, compassion, innovation, and enrichment align closely with my own. They remind me to lead with character, care about the people around me, and never stop looking for better ways to serve our drivers, customers, and team.

In my personal life, honesty and love are at the center of everything I do. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, and I hope that the impact I leave on others is just as meaningful as any professional accomplishment.