Ruth Lopez, director, transportation management for Ryder System, has been presented with the ninth annual Influential Woman in Trucking award by the Women In Trucking Association.

Lopez was honored at the WIT Accelerate! Conference & Expo in Dallas, Texas, during a panel discussion, How Remarkable Women Unleash Their Leadership Potential. The award was presented by Kary Schaefer, general manager, product marketing and strategy at Daimler Trucks North America.

Lopez’s career with Ryder System spans 20 years. She currently serves as director of transportation management, leading teams in the U.S. and in Mexico. Lopez, along with her team, creates specific execution plans with comprehensive strategies for Ryder’s key customer segments and new client implementations, according to the WIT announcement.

She has served as a co-chair for Ryder’s Women’s Leadership Forum, whose mission is to support the attraction, retention and development of women. She also was named a Supply Chain Excellence Award recipient for work recognized within the Supply Chain Solutions division, which has over 8,000 employees.

Lopez also received a Ryder Outstanding Award Recognition award. The Roar award is given each quarter to an employee or team who consistently goes above and beyond in their duties and exemplifies Ryder's guiding principles.

“Passionately invest in others,” said Lopez. “Set aside time to do this and make it a priority. Spend the time to nurture them, teach them, and support them. This, in turn, will allow you to reflect on investing in yourself. Stay true to yourself and always do the right thing.”

Finalists for the 2019 Influential Woman in Trucking award also included: Niki Bolton, senior truck auditor and executive projects officer, American Truck & Rail Audits; Kristy Knichel, CEO, Knichel Logistics; Kellylynn McLaughlin, OTR training engineer & professional driver, Schneider National; Jodie Teuton, chairwoman, American Truck Dealers/vice president, Kenworth of Louisiana; Lidia Yan, CEO and co-founder, Next Trucking.