Women In Trucking and Navistar presented the fifth annual Influential Woman in Trucking award to Kari Rihm, president and CEO of Rihm Kenworth. The award was presented this week during a ceremony at the Truckload Carriers Association annual meeting.

“We are proud to recognize the leadership of Kari Rihm and other influential women in our industry,” said Lisa Hartenberger, director of communications at Navistar. “Women make a difference in the trucking industry every day and the goal of the Influential Woman in Trucking award is to shine a spotlight on their contributions.”

Rihm took over Rihm Kenworth after the passing of her husband in 2010. The company had been in her husband’s family since 1932. Since taking over with her two children, Rihm Kenworth has added two more locations to grow the company from three to five dealerships. The firm has also increased headcount by over 50%.

Rihm Kenworth is the only 100% woman-owned Kenworth dealer in the U.S.

Rihm Kenworth was named Kenworth’s Medium Duty Truck Dealer of the Year three out of the last four years and has been certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise Network Council since 2011. Rihm Kenworth was also a finalist for ATD and HDT’s Truck Dealer of the Year award. 

“Kari is proof that women are achieving great things in all trucking professions, from drivers to accountants to CEOs,” said Ellen Voie, president of Women In Trucking. “As more women move into leadership positions within the trucking industry, it will become even more difficult to narrow the list of candidates in the future.”