In The News

Women In Trucking Member wins truck giveaway

Louisville, KY:  When Dianne Smith’s friends told her that her name had been announced as the winner of the 2009 Big Rig Giveaway, she brushed them off as just teasing her.  After walking to the Great American Insurance Group exhibit at the Mid-American Trucking Show in Louisville, she learned that she had won the totally transformed Kenworth W900 conventional tractor on display.

Dianne, known as “Granny” to her friends, has been a member of Women In Trucking since 2007, and currently runs as a team with her husband, Ron “Snuffy” Smith.  The couple live in Massillion, Ohio.

“When we first got the phone call,” claims, Dianne, “we didn’t believe it because we thought that it was a joke.”  She added, “You always hear about people winning things but you never think that your name will be the one called.”  She and Ron are “ecstatic,” that they can now retire their old Freightliner with over a million miles on it.

Ironically, the Smiths had recently paid off their former truck and were proud to be free of payments.  After winning the Kenworth, however, they have decided to share their good fortune and have given their former truck to friends who were struggling during these tough times.

Jeannette Daunt, Marketing Coordinator for the Great American Insurance Group’s Trucking Division was thrilled to hand the keys over to the Smiths.  “Especially in these trying times, we should all be very proud of the good we’ve been able to do [in this truck giveaway],” Daunt said.  “And not for just one trucker, but four,” she added, after hearing about the winners’ decision to pass along their good fortune to friends in need.

The Great American Insurance Group’s Big Rig Giveaway is in its third year, and it's popularity at the truck show has grown substantially.  Great American’s Trucking Division specializes in insurance protection for the truck, trailer, and cargo, and provides occupational accident coverage for truckers like Dianne and Ron. Further information can be found on www.GreatAmericanTrucker.com.

Women In Trucking was established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women in trucking. For more information, visit www.WomenInTrucking.org.