Rising Above the Crowd

Boyd Bros. recognizes and appreciates the contributions of its female professionals

By Al Muskewitz

It’s no secret trucking is a male-dominated industry. Women make up approximately 8 percent of the nation’s driver population and just about 24 percent of management positions overall.

But the inclusion and influence of female professionals has been growing as the country moves into a new age of corporate enlightenment, not only behind the wheel but up the corporate ladder as well.

Andrew Houser, president of Boyd Bros. Transportation, gets it. He recognizes the value women bring to the workplace.

As the industry gears up for Women in Trucking’s annual “Accelerate” virtual convention later this month, where the organization will unveil plans for a rolling tribute to the history and accomplishments of women in the industry, Houser shined a spotlight on three accomplished women in his company who have risen above the crowd.

Beth Steed, Rhetta Currie and Nina Eiland all have “deftly overcame life’s challenges that would have kept most people down for the count,” and risen through the corporate ranks to hold executive-level positions of responsibility within the Alabama-based flatbedder. Steed is Boyd’s director of customer service, Curry director of operations and Eiland vice president of human resources.

“I’ve worked in a variety of industries over the past 20 years and during his time I was privileged to work with many dynamic female leaders,” said Houser, who became Boyd’s president in May 2019. “In my opinion, a diverse workforce brings increased creativity and insight to the team. These women are as different as night and day, but they share a grittiness, determination, and competitive spirit. They have paid their dues and earned the respect of their peers as they ascended the management ladder.  

“They ignored industry stereotypes and shattered glass ceilings as they consistently outworked and outperformed their competitors. But most importantly, they have positively impacted countless drivers, employees and customers by consistently demonstrating their integrity and huge hearts. In a world obsessed with finding tenths of a penny in efficiencies by exploring new technology, the latest equipment advancements, and cliché business improvement initiatives, these women do it the old-fashioned way.

“They take care of their people because they genuinely care. They refuse to give up or get down as they showcase their persistence day-in and day-out. They never stop learning and they become subject matter experts in everything they touch. They never make an excuse and they won’t let anyone outwork them. My job is easy because of these women, but more importantly, I’m a better person because I have them in my life.”

Steed started with Boyd in 2001 as a truck coordinator and now spends most days working with customers and managing Boyd’s sales team. Her high energy and infectious positive attitude quickly became her hallmark and customers and drivers came to love the sweet southern accent on the other end of the line.

Tragedy struck in 2005 when Beth lost a portion of her left leg in an automobile accident, but true to her spirit and positive attitude she refused to let the injury define her or keep her down. To this day, Houser said, she will never let anyone take it easy on her and is even working on winning a deadlift competition at her gym.

“Her genuine care for employees and customers is her only handicap, and I have to almost force her to quit working,” Houser said. “But, in classic Beth style, she usually ignores me and opens her laptop even when watching her daughter play softball.  We joke that you will always hear Beth before you see her.  My world is a happier place with Beth Steed in it.”

Currie is responsible for directly managing all fleet managers and every aspect of Boyd’s fleet. She came to Boyd in 1997 as a clerk in the billing department but quickly working to learn virtually every aspect of the business, taking on roles in sales, operations and administration.

In 2013, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and after countless surgeries and chemotherapy she beat it and was quickly back to work on a full-time basis. She also raised two boys as a single mother and in 2021 will graduate from Auburn University with plans to immediately pursue her MBA.

“If you talk to anyone about Rhetta, you’ll hear words like ‘tough’ and ‘no nonsense,’ but ask any driver and they will tell you that Ms. Rhetta always takes care of them,” Houser said. “There is no project too complex and no task too big for Rhetta. She is the most fearless person I’ve ever met and there is nothing she won’t do for her people or drivers.  One could easily picture her starring in an action movie as the heroine jumping from a moving car to save the day!”

Eiland came to Boyd in 2007, taking the only job available at the time – switchboard operator – and now oversees all aspects of Boyd’s HR including recruiting, benefits, training and development and HR administration. She pioneered the use of personality indexes to match drivers with fleet managers and personally develops Boyd’s internal training curriculum to align with its company mission.

“If you spend any time with this energetic southern belle, you’d never believe her journey,” Houser said. “Her father was frequently away with work, so Nina intimately understands the challenges that come with having a father on the road.

“Employees are always surprised to hear stories of a childhood that includes being raised by her father, taking care of siblings, moving from place to place, and even not knowing where the next meal would come from (but) she would not let her circumstance determine the outcome of her story. Today, she has so many certifications behind her name, I joke that she is going to need a larger business card.”

Boyd has been a leader in flatbed trucking since 1956. It currently operates a fleet of more than 2,000 trailers with full-service terminals in Birmingham, Ala.; Clayton, Ala.; and Cincinnati, Ohio; and service centers in Cartersville, Ga.; and Cofield, N.C.

Al Muskewitz is Editor of Wright Media. He can be reached at musky@wrightmediacorp.com

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