Just Doing Her Thing
For Sheila Simms, who has been driving for 26 years, trucking is more than a job.
“It’s about performance, taking pride in what you do, and family,” she says. “When you drive a truck, you’re not just an individual in a commercial vehicle driving down the road. You’re a part of a family of drivers. Not only do you have to watch out for yourself, but you also have to watch out for them, too. If you see someone who needs help, you stop and help them.”
Sheila describes herself as “baffled” over winning the Woman Driver of Excellence Award for Bennett Motor Express (BME). “I do what I do because I love it,” she says. “It feels like I am just doing my thing and then someone hands me an award. Don’t get me wrong. I’m very proud of it!”
Known for her professionalism, and her impeccable driving and safety record, Sheila is described by BME Fleet Manager Harold Griffith as having a can-do attitude. “There is never a job too big or too small for Sheila,” he says. “When she says she is going to do something, she gets it done. She is a credit to all truck drivers.”
Sheila started out driving a dry van before switching to flatbed, which she describes as her “greatest challenge”. She maintains a clean vehicle, has no CSA points, and is never late for a pick-up or delivery. With aspirations to grow her business, Sheila has two trucks. One of them is paid off and ready to lease. Sheila is also earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.
