As a company focused on customer service, home delivery is a significant piece of the Woodpellets.com experience. After a pellet stove owner discusses fuel options with us, or clicks through the website to place an order, delivery is the next big step in the process. Our drivers are responsible for loading up the customer’s fuel, safely transporting it to the home and following the customer’s placement instructions.

Liz was brought onboard this year by JPO Trucking, a small business outside of Poughkeepsie New York and one of our trusted contractors. When asked if we could highlight her in a blog due to her position not typically being held by women, she agreed and said, “Guess I have a history of being employed in male dominated jobs. I am a retired police sergeant.”

Chatting as she walked her rescue dog Daisy after a day’s work, Liz explained she always had an interest in the trucking industry. She knew it was “either that or become a cop”, since she grew up with an NYPD homocide detective father. Instead of choosing between the two paths, she ended up with both.

After nearly 5 years in corrections and 22 years in the police force, 18 of which were as a Sergeant, Liz retired last year. But during that time, she went to school to obtain her CDL knowing she would seek a trucking job following her retirement.

During the years serving her community, she dealt with serious, depressing situations and crimes. “My old job was everyone’s problems all day long. People don’t call the police to help cut a birthday cake.” Talking about the difference between that role and her current trucking job, she says “This is none of that negativity. Now I can worry about myself!”

According to the American Trucking Association, the number of women in the industry has only increased slightly in the last 15 years, from 4.5 to roughly 6 percent. Liz was surprised to hear just how low the numbers are for females in this industry, and said she wishes more women would sign on.

As for her, she doesn’t plan on fully retiring anytime soon. We are lucky to have Liz and our whole network of drivers out there representing Woodpellets.com.