A veteran driver well known for her activities in the national trucking community was honored during the recently concluded Mid-America Trucking Show.
The Women In Trucking Association announced Ingrid Brown, professional driver and operations manager for Blackjack Express, LLC, won the organization's 2026 Driver of the Year Award, sponsored by Walmart.
Brown was among four finalists for the award. The other finalists included:
- Fabiola Campos-Buenavista, professional driver and driver development instructor, FedEx Freight
- Gina Jones, company driver, Werner
- KellyLynn McLaughlin, national transportation driver dump and roll off, Clean Harbors Environmental Services
The announcement was made during the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event, hosted by WIT at MaTS the in Louisville, Kentucky.
“We are proud to recognize Ingrid, whose tireless commitment to excellence, safety, and empowering women in this industry sets a standard that inspires us all,” said Jennifer Hedrick, CAE, WIT president and CEO.
Brown has built a 46-year career in trucking defined by determination, safety advocacy, and leadership, according to a statement from WIT. Starting out as an independent owner-operator of Rollin’ B LLC, she currently serves as operations manager for a specialized refrigerated fleet and continues to drive for Blackjack Express LLC, hauling heavy, oversize, and refrigerated freight.
This is not the first time Brown has been recognized. She was named the National Association of Small Trucking Companies Woman Driver of the Year Award, won the TA Petro Citizen Driver Award, and was an Inaugural Inductee at the Mid-America Trucking Show Wall of Fame.
A charter member of WIT since 2007, Brown is currently serving her second term on the board of directors and as liaison to the Women In Trucking Foundation board of directors. She also is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration safety collaborator.
Brown’s commitment to safety and advocacy in trucking has been highlighted by her peers and leaders.
"Ingrid consistently operates with the highest standards of safety, reliability, and integrity, understanding that her actions reflect not only on her company, but on the trucking industry as a whole,” said Kristy Knichel, president of Knichel Logistics. “Through her actions, attitude, and dedication, she elevates the profession and inspires those around her."
Presented with the support of Walmart, this annual award was established to highlight the outstanding female drivers who champion safety at the highest level while positively shaping the public's understanding and appreciation of the trucking industry.
“Walmart is proud to sponsor the Driver of the Year award because it reflects our commitment to safety, excellence, and a culture of belonging across transportation. Ingrid Brown embodies what this recognition stands for, a seasoned professional whose leadership, safety advocacy and dedication to the industry have made a meaningful impact. Congrats to Ingrid for being named Driver of the Year.” said Ryan McDaniel, Walmart Senior Vice President, Transportation.
