Expediter of the Year 2018 Finalists: Nancy Hudson
Expedite Expo 2018, which runs July 20 and 21 at the Lexington Center in Lexington, Ky., is the only trade show in the world geared exclusively to the expedited trucking industry. And this year's show will feature the announcement of the winner of the Expediter of the Year award, which will be presented to one of these three finalists: Tim Paxton, Nancy Hudson, and Eric Escobar.
The purpose of this award is to recognize those hard-working, professional and safety-conscious expediters on the road today who strive to make the expedite industry better and are deeply involved in serving and making a positive impact on their community.
So, who will win this year's award? Find out on Saturday, July 21, at 2:30 pm in the Expo hall.
Registration for the entire conference is free--and so is truck parking. Secure your spot today - REGISTER NOW!
In the meantime, let's get to know each of the finalists. Today's spotlight is on Nancy Hudson.
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Nancy Hudson
Role: Driver
Company: A.D. Transport Express
Vehicle: 2014 Kenworth T680 tractor
Driver Nancy Hudson was nominated by Melody Paris, an owner-operator with BH Xpress, who says, "Nancy is a two-time truck show champion. She is always on time, courteous and respectful. She loves the world of trucking and is a proud female truck driver. She belongs to the Truckers for Christ and does missionary work while out on the road."
Nancy started out her career in the medical field as a patient care technician (PCT) in 1979. Then in 2004, she felt led by her Christian faith to get into trucking.
EO recently caught up with the Nancy to learn more about how she got into expediting, what she enjoys most about her career, and what advice she has for other expediters. Here's an edited version of our conversation.
EO: Before you got into the trucking business, you worked as a patient care technician. I'm curious. What type of patients were you working with?
Nancy Hudson: I worked oncology in the operating room.
Did you work primarily with adults? Or did you do pediatrics as well?
I never did too much in pediatrics. I mostly worked with the adults.
So, after about 25 years working in the medical field, you got into trucking. What type of exposure did you have to the trucking industry that caused you to think, "You know what? A career in trucking might be a good fit for me?"
I've always loved trucks. And I just basically prayed about it, and opportunities opened up where I got into trucking. And now I do Bible study and missionary work out here while I'm on the road.
When you do Christian missionary work while out on the road, what does that look like?
Well, I try to help explain things about the Lord. And a lot of people have questions they ask me, and I tell them about some Bible verses that relate to their questions. I also teach Bible study out on the road when I have time, and it's just all about bringing people to know Jesus Christ as our own personal savior.
What is it that you enjoy most about expedited trucking?
I enjoy being around the customers and showing them love and care. I enjoy caring about the product that's in the back of my trailer and protecting it. And when customers see how much you care, they always want you coming back.
When Melody nominated you, she said that you were a two-time truck show champion. Tell me about those shows.
I won the Mid-America Truck Show in 2009 and St. Ignace Truck Show in 2016. Several judges walk around and look for the cleanest, best interior, and best overall condition of the truck. It's just a hobby I got into. It's very exhausting work getting the truck ready, but I really love doing it.
What advice do you have for other expediters?
If you put love, care, dignity, and respect into your work, it shows customers that you really care about them. And if you give them that respect and dignity, it helps a lot of very pressured customers relax and calm down.
Also, take your time on the road. Don't be in a rush. Keep yourself healthy. And love your neighbor as yourself. Your "neighbor" is whoever is by you, wherever you are at that moment.
REGISTER NOW for ExpediteExpo - as always, parking and admission are FREE!