By Fleet Management Weekly Staff
September 6, 2023
As a tenured fleet professional and member of AFLA and WIFM, Fleet Management Weekly asked Linda Banks of Cummins to answer some profile questions about her career, her experiences in the industry, and her advice to other women in fleet.
1. What was your very first job?
My first “real job” after college was with a Newspaper doing Accounts Payables. I didn’t get into the transportation industry until 2000, where I worked for a company that provided truck/trailer repairs, fuel, cross-docking and parking.
2. How did you land in the fleet industry?
I have been working for the same company now for almost 16 years, most of the time I worked in Service Operations. I started covering a maternity leave in 2018 and when she returned in July 2019 I was transferred to Service Operations with a dabble in Fleet
3. What I love best about my current position is…
I get to meet (and) interact with people not only across North America but globally. I get to voice ideas, work on projects. I get to actively make a difference whether it be with processes, training, policies, communications.
4. What makes you smile about your work?
My team. Honestly, we have a lot of laughs and genuinely care about each other.
5. What do you think are the secrets behind getting to where you are now?
This industry can feel overwhelming at times, but being consistent, someone people can depend on, willing to learn, willing to jump into the fires, able to think outside of the box will take you along way. If I had been given the choice, I probably wouldn’t have entered this industry. Thankfully I had people in my corner that saw a vision that I did not and gave me the push to jump in.
I am constantly learning and during this time I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by both men and women that have supported me every step of the way. When I have doubts, I have sounding boards which sometimes make me realize I was on the right track or sometimes it made me realize I needed to expand my vision, ideals, goals. We will all have days that are good or bad, we just have to remember to stay on course. That is how we grow, that is how we will succeed.
6. How do you stay motivated and continue to develop your future career self?
I enjoy learning, being challenged. I need to know the ‘start’ to ‘finish’ of something so that I can understand the big picture. This allows me to continuously grow.
7. Do you see your glass as half empty or half full?
I see the glass as refillable, if my cup is getting low, I can always do what’s needed to fill it back up again
8. What life lesson has your profession taught you?
You know more than you think you do. And what you don’t know can be learned. Just have to ask for help from others.
Linda Banks and daughter Skye
9. What are your best practices to maintain a healthy work/life balance?
This is a constant struggle for me still. I have learned to make a priority list and ask for help when needed. I have also learned that you will not complete everything every day and that is ok. This allows me the freedom of mind to spend with my daughter. I have also learned that when you have a team it is ok to shut down when on vacation and let the team carry you (as I would do while they are out of the office).
10. What do people say when you tell them where you work and what you do?
Most people have heard of the company, but sometimes, they don’t understand what I do because they don’t necessarily understand what ‘fleet’ means or what it is.
11. What are your recommendations for someone new or interested in this industry?
Take the leap, ask the questions. Expand your network both internally and externally. Get yourself set up with a mentor, explore any / all avenues for training opportunities and get out to events.
12. What professional development, course work, certifications, or webinars/seminars would you recommend to help an aspiring person in career advancement?
Anything AFLA or WIFM. Check for courses within your company, and NAFA. NAFA is actually on my work plan for this year. Check with your fleet management company for training, too.
13. How would you mentor your 20-something-years-old self or when you started your career?
I would probably get out there and network more, attend more events. Travel to be able to fully understand the roadblocks each place encounters.
14. How is this challenge unique to being a woman?
Fleet has always been very male dominated in the past. Some challenges as a woman, is being heard. You need to find the balance to be able to express yourself confidently. Thankfully more and more women are successfully getting into the fleet business and most men in the industry are very open to adding women to their team.
15. Why did you join the Women in Fleet Management group?
I attended the first AFLA conference in Canada. There were several women from WIFM that spoke at the event. It blew my mind how many women were present. I joined as soon as the conference was over as I knew I had to be part of WIFM and wanted to be able to work with and lean on other experts — both male and female — in the industry.
16. What do you value the most about WIFM?
Sharing of information and, of course, the connections that have been made.
17. In your opinion, what’s the value of having a Women in Fleet group?
It is a comfort zone especially for people new to Fleet. If you are just starting your career in Fleet you don’t really know what to expect, where to start, what to look for, what questions to ask etc. and WIFM can really help make you more comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. The access to people, and resources can help guide you.
When I first joined WIFM, I had only been in a Fleet role (where it was 100% of my job) for about a month. With the help of connecting on calls, asking questions I was able to perform and eventually shine enough in my role that my role was expanded.
Looking Outside of Work…
18. What are your personal hobbies/interests?
Music, love to listen to music. Not much time for myself though as I am a ‘Dance Mum’!
19. Do you like to travel? If so, what is the most memorable place that you have ever visited? Have a bucket list trip?
I love to travel! I definitely need a beach to help the mind, body and soul. Unfortunately, as a single mum, I am not able to do all the travel that I would like to do — both personally and professionally. So far, the most memorable place I have been is Jamaica. I would love to go to Australia.
20. What do you prefer to listen to while you drive?
Music, 100%! I especially love when the weather is nice enough to have the windows rolled down, and the music turned up. If feeling stressed, this is a great release for me. If I am a passenger or at home, then I will also dance along to the music.
21. What was the first car you ever owned? Is there a story about that car?
1993 Dodge Shadow. Used to fold down the back seats and camp out in the trunk for last-minute road trips.
22. Is there anything else you’d like to share with women in fleet?
If I had been asked to move to the fleet team, honestly, I probably would have said no. Instead, I was transferred, and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every minute of the ride. I didn’t realize how much growth there would be for me. Historically, fleet has been a very male-dominated industry, but I can say emphatically that times are changing!
