CRST female workforce grows after deregulation
After deregulation of the trucking industry in 1980, CRST became only the third company in the country to earn “nationwide authority”, which would allow it to operate anywhere in the United States.
The new opportunity led to marked growth for the company – and a need for a larger workforce. During the growth spurt, CRST began to hire more women. By late 1981, CRST employed five times more female salaried employees and drivers than it had just two years earlier. Two of those women were Jo Ellen and Jane.
Jo Ellen Ungs
After CRST gained nationwide operating authority, Jo Ellen played a critical role in helping CRST take advantage of the opportunity. She led a market research team that provided leadership with critical data to support the specific moves they had in mind. She and her team also developed a cutting-edge sales database that enabled the company to identify and target new markets effectively. Those efforts were instrumental in transforming CRST from a mid-sized trucking business into an industry leader.
Jane Beatty
Jane Beatty, CRST’s first woman district sales manager, laid the foundation for the company’s continued success with her dedication to customer service and operational excellence. Within two years she was leading a sales department comprised mainly of women. She noted that CRST had a higher standard than some in the industry: “It is important for women to be extremely knowledgeable about the trucking industry, because they will be tested,” Beatty said.
Her commitment to her team and these values ensured that CRST became known as a company that always delivers – setting a standard the company still upholds today.
Continuing the legacy
At CRST, we remain inspired by the values Jo Ellen and Jane instilled in the company. These women weren’t just employees at CRST; they were changemakers whose contributions helped transform the organization. They’ve left behind a lasting legacy of collaboration, innovation and dedication to excellence.
