SAN DIEGO - Navistar, Inc. and the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) presented the inaugural "Influential Woman of the Year" award to Rochelle Gorman, chief executive officer, CalArk International, at a ceremony during this week's Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) annual meeting.

"The 'Influential Woman of the Year' award is designed to shine a spotlight on the great leadership demonstrated by women in the trucking industry," said Anne Belec, vice president and chief marketing officer, Navistar. "Rochelle's dedication to trucking and her personal commitment to mentoring other women is exactly what we set out to celebrate."

"We are excited to honor a woman who has been so influential in the trucking industry," said Ellen Voie, president of Women In Trucking, "Rochelle is proof that women are achieving great things in all trucking professions, from drivers to accountants to CEOs. Rochelle's story of tripling CalArk's revenues while at the same time mentoring other women and raising a family is an inspiration as WIT furthers our mission to celebrate the success of women in what has traditionally been a very male-dominated industry."

Gorman accepted her award immediately following a panel discussion about overcoming the challenges women often face in the trucking industry.

"Women today have the opportunity to lift each other up in ways that provide inspiration, leadership and encouragement that may not have existed when I entered the industry," said Gorman. "We are now trusted to promote the good and positive of the trucking industry."

Two runners-up for this year's award were also recognized at the TCA event: Shelley Simpson, executive vice president, J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. and Andreea Raaber, vice president, business development, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC.

 "Navistar is proud to sponsor this award with the Women In Trucking Association to promote and recognize the leadership of influential women in our industry," said Phyllis Cochran, president, Navistar Parts. "It is important to Navistar that the trucking industry attracts the best and brightest from a diverse pool of talent. With that goal in mind, Navistar will continue to sponsor the 'Influential Woman' award moving forward."

The "Influential Woman of the Year" award seeks to recognize a woman in the trucking industry who makes or influences key decisions in a corporate, manufacturing, supplier, owner-operator, driver, sales or dealership setting. Other criteria for the award include demonstrating a record of responsibility and success in mentoring other women.

"We are very pleased with the response to the first year of this award and our judges had a difficult time selecting a winner from more than 30 well-qualified nominees" Voie added. "Our goal is to continue to build on the momentum with a call for 2012 nominations late this summer."