Born in Trenton, Michigan, Suzette Adkins was the youngest of six children. Her father, an engineer at Ford with a passion for drag racing, shaped her childhood experiences. “A lot of my early childhood was spent at drag strips, watching my dad race his Pinto against some of the biggest legends in the sport,” she recalls, highlighting a love for vehicles and the open road that began early on. “I was his little sidekick.”

As her childhood progressed, her father’s interests evolved from racing to boating, yet his influence remained ever-present. After retiring, he devoted all his free time to restoring classic cars, including a 1932 Ford Victoria, a 1939 Mercury Coupe, and a 1966 Ford Fairlane 500—all of which he passed down to his children.

Despite his passing in 2015, Suzette carries her father’s spirit and lessons with her. She fondly remembers, “My dad used to brag to his friends that his baby daughter drove a truck,” a testament to the pride she feels in continuing his legacy.

A Journey of Resilience

With a Class A CDL in hand, a skill her late husband encouraged her to acquire, Suzette began her journey as a truck driver more than three decades ago. Together, she and her husband established a trucking company that once operated ten vehicles. However, in November 2003, tragedy struck when her husband passed away while heroically saving their 17-year-old son from drowning during a trip to Florida.

Faced with the daunting task of running their business alone in the aftermath of such a loss, Suzette navigated fierce competition and rising costs before ultimately deciding to close the company. Yet, her determination did not wane; she transitioned to working for a local airfreight company, proving time and again that she could adapt to various driving positions with resilience.

The day after her father passed away, Suzette was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Fortunately, doctors detected it very early, and surgery successfully removed the tumor. She has been cancer-free ever since.

In 2017, Suzette faced another significant hurdle when she underwent neck surgery that resulted in the loss of all function in her right arm. However, her unwavering determination shone through as she committed herself to rehabilitation, ultimately regaining 90 percent of her arm’s function. Her journey of recovery further underscores her grit and perseverance.

Embracing New Challenges

Throughout her career, Suzette found stability and connection in her work, which eventually led her to Bret, her current husband and coworker at The Gerken Companies. Now married for 15 years, the couple shares a life filled with love, support, and shared passions, including dirt-track racing, camping in their fifth-wheel trailer, and renting a condo in Marblehead, Ohio, each winter.

Recalling a pivotal moment, Suzette shares, “A few years ago, Bret told me that Gerken needed a driver for a live bottom dump truck, sometimes referred to as a flowboy, and he encouraged me to apply.” Now entering her fifth season with The Gerken Companies, she thrives in her role, relishing the opportunities to learn from her colleagues and immerse herself in the world of road construction.

Suzette acknowledges the significant support she has received from her fellow drivers at Gerken, who helped her learn “on the job” by teaching her everything that goes into building roads. They enjoy reminding her that she has switched to “working on this side of the barrels now,” a nod to her previous Load-to-Ride driving background.

“Working in infrastructure can be challenging, but Gerken is a company that truly supports its employees and understands the importance of self-care,” says Suzette. “No one has ever told me, ‘No, you can’t take a break, step out of the extreme heat, or hydrate.’ The fact that we all look out for one another is just one of the many reasons why I’m proud to be part of The Gerken Companies.”

Suzette encourages women considering a career to explore truck driving. “Driving a big rig down the road is very empowering,” she asserts, inviting other women to follow her path. “Things are not like they were 30 years ago, when you might have felt like a woman in a man’s world. My male colleagues are supportive, and Gerken readily hires women.”

Today, as Suzette reflects on her journey, she does so with pride and a deep sense of achievement. Each road she travels is a testament to her love for trucking and her indomitable spirit, strength, and tenacity. Shaped by her experiences and her father’s lessons, she continues to navigate the open roads with her head held high.