Kelly Cargill Crow

I returned to Little Rock and the Arkansas Trucking Association in 2020 after spending four years in Memphis with FedEx. I am thrilled to be home, promoting an industry that I hold in such high regard and is essential to our way of life. As vice president , I’m responsible for enhancing the image of trucking and its safe professionals to the media, elected officials and the public. If I help one person realize the truck you’re passing on the highway is delivering your milk, medicine or even mattress, then I’ve done my job.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

How I knew this was my passion

I got into trucking by accident, taking the first job available to me after college. It’s the people that won me over—you’d be hard pressed to find a group of harder-working, more dedicated or prouder professionals than those in trucking.

Biggest challenges in my career

Stereotypes. I was a young female starting off in a male-dominated field that I knew nothing about. I took – and still take – every opportunity to learn from others; people with more experience than me and people with different perspectives.

My first job and what it taught me

I was a server at Cotham’s in high school. I remember how customers made me feel more than the tip they left. Since then, I try to be cognizant of how my mood may impact others. (Note: Tip your server!)

Nonprofit I wish more people knew about

Arkansas Paws in Prison provides temporary housing to dogs and a sense of purpose to inmates as they prep the dogs for adoption. I transported C.A.R.E. dogs to/from the prisons and can’t say enough great things about either organization!

What keeps me coming back to my job every day

The people: their pride in delivering essentials and their commitment even at the most inauspicious times. Floods, tornadoes and pandemics won’t stop trucks from delivering.

Best career moment so far

Someone said I had shown her it’s possible to have a successful career and a family. Every working mother struggles to find balance, so it was incredibly meaningful to be an example to someone starting her own career and family.

A skill I never expected to need in this field

Thankfully I’ve always been good at languages because transportation definitely has its own. And the acronyms—whoa! The first thing I provide to new hires from outside the industry is a glossary of trucking terms and acronyms.

One practice I use to maintain my mental health

I’m a neat freak … like bad. If I start to get stressed, I check my environment to be sure it’s free of clutter and distractions. Belting out some show tunes while cleaning helps, too.

Best advice I ever received

Be aware of your filters. Don’t let your current mood or past experiences impact how you receive information or how you respond to people.

The one thing I wish people knew about my field

Nearly everything you eat, drink and use every day was delivered by a truck. That’s been one silver lining of the pandemic: It helped shine a light on the essentiality of truck drivers—first toilet paper deliveries and now vaccines.

The first thing I do to course-correct when I hit a wall

Ask what percent I have given. If I realize I could try harder, then I try again. If I’ve truly given 100%, then it’s time to call in reinforcements. Surround yourself with smarter people so you always have resources.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

How I knew this was my passion

Biggest challenges in my career

My first job and what it taught me

Nonprofit I wish more people knew about

What keeps me coming back to my job every day

Best career moment so far

A skill I never expected to need in this field

One practice I use to maintain my mental health

Best advice I ever received

The one thing I wish people knew about my field

The first thing I do to course-correct when I hit a wall

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Hometown

Little Rock

I can't start my day until

I hear NPR

Hobbies

Baking, chasing my son

Binge watch

“The Office”

Last good read

“Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi

Favorite meal in town

Casa Mañana, tortilla soup and queso

Best recent local discovery

Sauce(d) Bar and Oven

Latest splurge

10-year anniversary trip to Key West

Most-used app

Instagram

Dream vacation

Month in Spain

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