Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/566726
CHANGING LANES 18 SEPTEMBER 2015 // WWW.CHANGINGLANESDIGITAL.COM Industry insider departments. She said she hoped that groups like GROW will do a better job of relaying that message to women, helping to change trucking's image of only an industry for men. "Programs like that help everyone," Newton said. "Young women who are aware of a program like that or have a mentor or see someone they go to church with or lives down the street have a successful career in trucking, they may choose to do that. … That contributes to the well-being of the industry." GROW has proven to be a popular program since the beginning. The initial membership started with about 200 employees, and has since reached 318 members. The program is open to anyone, including men. There are 42 in the program. Simpson noted that while the program may be geared toward women, it "offers things anyone can use." GROW has a number of programs they've developed to help women gain experience to lead to their success. One of those programs is "Lunch with a Leader", where members have opportunities to interact with J.B. Hunt's executives. The group also leads a number of networking and small group activities. In addition to working with professionals, Tami Allensworth, J.B. Hunt's vice president of transportation and president of the program's board noted that the company also works at the college level as well, reaching out to students emphasizing opportunities, particularly for women, in supply chain and transportation. The company would like to take the education to the high school level as well, in efforts of introducing girls to career possibilities in trucking at a younger age. "Our desire is to help women reach whatever their goals are," said Tami Allensworth, J.B. Hunt's vice president of transportation and president of the program's board. "Some aren't interested in becoming the next 'insert.' That's the beauty of GROW. It's growing and retaining of outstanding women and making you highly successful in whatever your goals are."