Expediter of the Year Finalist Spotlight: Lisa Morway
Editor's Note: Expedite Expo 2019, which runs July 19 and 20 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, 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: Vanessa Schroeder, Lisa Morway, and Frank & Stephanie Rebelo.
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 20, at 2:30 pm in the Expo hall.
Registration for the entire conference is free. Secure your spot today at https://www.expediteexpo.com/.
In the meantime, let's get to know each of the finalists. Today's spotlight is on Lisa Morway.
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Lisa Morway
Role: Driver
Company: V3 Transportation
Vehicle: 2017 Freightliner M2
One of Lisa's nominators is Paul Ratcliff, chief operating officer at V3 Transportation, who says, "Lisa has become an invaluable asset to our company, especially for our V3 Driving Community. She has served as a sounding board for our management and staff, and she has become a key resource for drivers of all experience levels. She's always ready to lend an ear and extend a helping hand."
Ratcliff continues: "Lisa is just the type of person who does indeed go the extra mile to help those drivers in need. From giving away shower credits to helping folks wanting to know more about how to best position themselves for freight opportunities, Lisa's generosity crosses all borders, and she sets a bar that everyone at V3 feels is unparalleled in this industry."
Lisa became an expedite driver in 2012 after about two decades working in early childhood education. She plans to buy her first truck by the end of this year, with the goal to become a fleet owner with six trucks within the next three years.
So, how did Lisa get into expediting? What does she enjoy most about being on the road? And what advice does she have for other expediters?
EO recently spoke with Lisa to learn more about her story. Here's an edited version of our conversation.
EO: What led you to leave a career in childhood education to become an expediter?
Lisa Morway: Actually, I wanted to be a truck driver since I was about seven years old. And I was about 22 when I started driving school. But then I found out I was pregnant, and the doctor said, "No." So, I said, "Okay." I went home and raised two children as a single parent. Once they were on their own and settled in their life, that's when I decided to follow my dream.
EO: When you were seven years old, what was it about truck driving that attracted you to it-to make you think, "You know what? This is my dream!"?
LM: I was always a tomboy. I just loved the look and the sound of the trucks as they went by going down the highway. Trucks fascinated me. Then, of course, we had the truck driving movies, like "Convoy." You're a child and thinking, "You know what? I want to be like that guy. I want to be a truck driver."
I'm a wanderer at heart. I love seeing the countryside. And the bonus is that in expediting, I get paid to do it.
EO: During the past seven years as an expediter, you've must have learned a lot. What advice do you have for other expediters-whether they're considering getting into the industry, or perhaps they've been in the industry but are struggling right now?
LM: Patience. You have to have lots of patience right now. The business of expediting is changing. It's a struggle having to adapt to what's going on.
EO: In what ways do you see the business changing?
LM: [Expediting] used to be all about automotive parts. But there's a slow down in the building of cars and trucks. So, that's not happening the way it was before. Prices are being undercut, and manufacturers want you to drop down to the rates that they can get from the people that are undercutting.
But V3 is thinking outside the box and expanding by going down other avenues, and it's turning out to be very successful. We've seen huge growth recently. So, it's exciting.
EO: What other pieces of advice you do you have for expediters?
LM: Make sure you have a good bank account to fall back on when times are slow. Pay it forward. Always pay it forward, and you'll always be taken care of.
EO: When you say, "Pay it forward," what does that mean to you? In what ways have you "paid it forward," where you've felt like you were taken care of as a result?
LM: I've never learned to cook for one; I've always cooked for a lot of people. So, I freeze extras, and when I find people at truck stops or the homeless, I've got food I can give them. I've never had to worry about where my next meal's coming from. I like to help people, and I love having the ability to be able to do that. I try and do it all anonymously. It doesn't always work out that way, but I try.
EO: Lisa, is there anything that we haven't talked about that you think would be important for expediters to know about?
LM: Always talk to mentors and other drivers. Make yourself familiar with the industry, and what's actually going on. Make sure you get on with a reliable company and a reliable fleet owner.