Bronze Award Winner ISSUE 18, January 2010 PONEWS Box 400, Plover, WI 54467 • 888.464.9482 • WomenInTrucking.org What does not destroy me, makes me strong! Friedrich Nietzsche, a 19th century phi- bers left behind losopher, once said, “What does not five children, (ages destroy me, makes me strong.” Karin 18 months to nine Lee-Fournier exemplifies that attitude years) who Jean as President/CEO of Badger Trailer & and Gordon then Equipment Corp. in Franksville, Wis- adopted. consin. Despite the economic condi- Gordon Lee tions affecting the trucking industry, assumed the lead- Lee-Fournier constructed a new 17,500 ership of the com- square foot facility near Interstate 94, pany in 1981, when where she hopes to attract business from founder L. E. Lub- drivers traveling between Chicago and bers passed away. Green Bay. Jean Lee continues “We hit a point in our business to retain majority where either we shrivel up or we go for ownership of the (l-r): Karin Lee-Fournier, President, Paulo our Regional Director everything,” said Lee-Fournier, who is business, but the from Thermo King, Jean Lee, Owner, and Ann Lee (Karin’s sister) the third generation in her family to head remainder is split the company founded by her grandfa- between Lee-Fournier and her siblings, and repairs on all makes and models of ther in 1916. She is looking toward the Ann Lee and Brien Lee. semi-trailers and small special purpose future with a renewed strength from the Karin Lee-Fourner plans to regain trailers. adversity she has overcome. prominence in the industry with the help Badger has a full service parts de- In 2002, Lee-Fournier assumed the of her General Manager, Wayne Perrins, partment that sells repair parts and com- role of President when her father, Gor- who joined Badger Trailer & Equipment ponents for all Thermo King equipment, don Lee, began undergoing a series of Corp. in 2006 after leaving an Atlanta Carrier equipment, and for all models of surgeries to relieve the osteoarthritis pain based Thermo King facility. “The expan- semi-trailers such as brake parts, body in his spine. Lee-Fournier’s mother, Jean, sion is only one arm of a multi-faceted parts, electrical system components, focused her energy on her husband’s strategy to turn Badger around,” Per- and other necessary repair parts for the health at the time, but later became a role rins said. His goals include adding re- trucking industry. model for her daughter after Gordon’s pair services for Tri Pac auxiliary power Karin Lee-Fournier has emerged death in 2005. units and providing mobile vehicles for from adversity and has become stronger, “As my dad became older and on-site maintenance for refrigeration and and is a role model for all women in the weaker, she became stronger and more trailer equipment with a focus on a qual- trucking industry. Support her and her involved with the decisions and the di- ity customer experience. expansion by stopping at Badger Trailer rections we were going,” Lee-Fournier They also have a satellite location in & Equipment in Franksville, Wisconsin said. “Now I rely on my mom a lot. There Sheboygan County that provides in-shop and tell her you’re a member of Women were times I was nervous and not sure I and mobile on-site major services for all In Trucking. wanted to go through with this. She re- product lines associated with refrigera- Women In Trucking members receive ally encouraged me,“ she added. “So, tion and semi-trailer repair. Badger is a discount for repairs at Badger Trailer. a Call Wayne Perrins at (262) 835-9901 we’re in it, and there’s no turning back.” the authorized dealer for Thermo King Jean Lee was no stranger to adver- in southeast Wisconsin and sells, ser- for details. Visit their website for Visit their website for more informa- sity herself, as she and Gordon had be- vices and repairs all makes and models more information: come involved in the family business of Thermo King products and services badgertrailerequip.com. tion: badgertrailerequip.com. suddenly when her brother, Bob Lubbers and repairs all makes and models of and his wife Betty were killed in a plane Carrier refrigeration systems for trucks crash on their way to a Thermo King and semi-trailers. They perform DOT dealer’s event in Japan in 1966. The Lub- inspections, and perform all services SALUTE Anne Ferro to speak at WIT’s “Salute to the Women Behind the Wheel” Anne Ferro will be the featured thrive in a male dominated envi- achieve a new record for the larg- speaker at the Women In Trucking ronment,” Voie added. est gathering of female professional Association’s “Salute to the Wom- “I am pleased to join Women In drivers. en Behind the Wheel,” to be held Trucking to celebrate the outstand- The event, in the upstairs con- March 27, 2010 at the Mid-America ing accomplishments of profession- ference rooms at the Kentucky Ex- Trucking Show in Louisville, KY al female truck drivers. As more position center, will include live (truckingshow.com). The “Salute women pursue careers behind the music by Rob Anthony (rob-an- to the Women Behind the Wheel” wheel, they continue to break bar- thonymusic.com) and Highway Fe- advances one of the missions of the riers and reinforce the fundamental ver’s Terry Wooley (terrywooley. association, which is to celebrate standards of motor carrier safety com). Lisa Kelly of Ice Road Truck- success. Ms. Ferro will help present – professionalism, safe driving ers has also been invited. safe driving awards to drivers who skills, and work-life balance,” said have reached significant milestones FMCSA Administrator Anne Fer- Sponsorship Opportunities in their carriers. ro. “This important event shines a The “Salute to the Women Be- well-deserved spotlight on the vital hind the Wheel” will be the first contributions that women in truck- event of its kind to honor female ing make everyday to our commu- drivers. nities and our nation.” Daimler Trucks North America Any female professional driver (Daimler.com), Frito-Lay (Frito- and immediate family are invited lay.com), Walmart (Walmart.com) and are not required to be a mem- and have committed to Gold Level ber of Women In Trucking. Please sponsorship of the event. register at Salute2Women.com Bronze Level sponsors are prior to the event. All members of Owner Operator DIRECT and Mc- Women In Trucking are also invit- Griff, Seibels, & Williams, Inc. ed to participate in the celebration Copper Level sponsors are Pitt (and must also register) and are Ohio Express, Badger Trailer & encouraged to join us in honoring Equipment Corp., and J. J. Keller & these professional drivers. There Associates, Inc. are already over 160 who have pre- Nickel Level sponsors include registered! Roadside Medical Clinic, Pepsi Bot- Anne Ferro, Administrator, FMCSA Each female driver will receive tling Group, and YRC Worldwide. a complimentary t-shirt along with Your company can be a part Ferro is the newly confirmed Ad- a bag with gift items and offers of this event, too. Consider one of ministrator of the Federal Motor from our corporate members. And the sponsorship opportunities. Do- Carrier Safety Administration and look for our signature chocolate ing so will enhance your company the first woman to hold this posi- fountain (along with snacks and image with professional female tion. “Anne is one of our most vis- beverages). drivers. Increase your brand rec- ible women in the trucking indus- At 1:00 pm (central time) female ognition and improve your sales try,” said Ellen Voie, President/ drivers will gather for a group pho- through positive association with CEO of Women In Trucking. “We to in their red “Salute to the Women Women In Trucking. Contact Ellen are thrilled to have her address our Behind the Wheel” t-shirts. Guin- Voie (Ellen@WomenInTrucking. members and help us honor these ness World Records says it will re- org) for more information on spon- female professional drivers who quire at least 417 female drivers to sorship of the event. Support Our Partners & Corporate Members Truck Driving Schools: Fleet$avings Gold All-State Career School GiftCertificates.com American Institute of Technology, Inc. Goodnighties Central Tech Transportation & Safety GPSNet Technologies, Inc. Partners Education Great West Casualty Company Century College Group1201 Clark State Community College Healthy Trucking Association of America Cuyahoga Community College HNI Risk Services, Inc. Dependable Source Corp. of MS IdleAire Hagerstown Community College Innovative Computing Corporation Trucking & Logistic Companies: International Trucking School, Inc. International Society of Recruiting and Retention Professionals ABF Freight System, Inc. John Wood Community College Internet Truckstop All American Logistics, LLC KRTS Transportation Specialists Inc. All State Express National Tractor Trailer School, Inc. J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. B Baker Transport, Inc. Northampton Community College Kansas Motor Carrier Association Baylor Trucking Northern Academy of Transportation Training Key Largo Underwear C. Hayne Herndon & Co., Inc. Olive-Harvey College Key Marketing Advantage Cajunland Logistics Ontario Truck Training Academy LadyTruckDrivers.com CEVA Ground Pinellas Technical Education Center Layover.com Cobalt Transport Smith & Solomon Training Solutions Logistics Quarterly ContainerPort Group Southern State Community College Truck Lorian Communications Con-way, Inc. Driving Academy Marcello & Kivisto, LLC Covered Logistics & Transportation, LLC SPC Eagle - Professional Truck Driving School MarrowStone Truck & Trailer Shop CRST Van Expedited Suburban Truck Driver Training School McGriff, Seibels & Williams of Oregon, Inc. Diversified Transfer & Storage Transportation Dispatch Institute NAL Insurance Inc. DTX Western Pacific Truck School NAPFTDS Fairway Transit, Inc. National Bankers Trust Fikes Truck Line Trucks, Trailers, & Accessories: National Truck League Flatbed Express Inc. Badger Trailer & Equipment Corp. Navatech USA Freight Systems, Inc. Daimler Trucks North America Newport Communications Frito-Lay GearMaster Ohio Trucking Association Furniture Row Express IntelliStick Onboard Engine Oil Monitor Over The Road-Canada Grammer Industries Navistar, Inc.