Each week, TruckNews.com lists notable events, promotions and awards in the trucking industry.
This week, Jennifer Watson joined Wellington Group of Companies as global business development manager, and Marie-Eve Gregoire of Location Brossard NationaLease in Quebec was among 14 recipients of the 2024 NationaLease Masters Club Award.
Meanwhile, the Truckload Carrier Association (TCA) appointed Karen Smerchek as its new chairwoman, and TCA’s president, Jim Ward, was recognized with the Chairman’s Award. InCharge Energy has named Dennis Carter as its new chief revenue officer.
Wellington welcomes Watson
Wellington Group of Companies has appointed Jennifer Watson as global business development manager, expanding its International Division team.
Prior to joining the company, Watson serves as vice-president of sales at FFAF Cargo. Her earlier career experience includes sales leadership positions at Kintetsu World Express, Kuehne + Nagel and more.
Gregoire among top NationaLease sales performers
Marie-Eve Gregoire of Location Brossard NationaLease in Quebec was among 14 recipients of the 2024 NationaLease Masters Club Award, which honors outstanding sales achievement across the organization.
Gregoire and her fellow honorees were celebrated during a March 7-8 ceremony in Herradura, Costa Rica. The Masters Club Award recognizes top-performing sales professionals across NationaLease’s member companies in North America. This year, she is the only Canadian winner on the list.
TCA appoints new chairwoman
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) appointed Karen Smerchek, president and owner of U.S.-based Veriha Trucking, as its chairwoman for the 2025-2026 term — marking the first time a woman has held the role in the association’s history.
Her appointment was announced at the TCA’s Annual Convention in Phoenix, Ariz.
Smerchek brings nearly two decades of experience in the truckload sector, with a focus on safety, innovation, and operational excellence. She takes the helm at TCA with a mandate to advance industry sustainability, enhance driver support, and lead regulatory advocacy on issues such as truck parking, predatory towing, and hair follicle testing.
“I am truly honored to step into this role as chairman of TCA,” Smerchek said in a related press release.
“This organization has been instrumental in my growth as a leader in trucking, and I look forward to working with my peers to address critical industry challenges. From predatory towing and truck parking to hair follicle testing and sustainability, TCA remains focused on advocating for policies that support our carriers and professional drivers.”
Ward recognized with 2025 TCA Chairman’s Award
Jim Ward, TCA president, received the 2025 Chairman’s Award during TCA’s annual Truckload conference in Phoenix, Ariz. John Culp, current chairman of the association, said during the event that the award was created to recognize individuals who show leadership and involvement and excelled in their service to TCA.
Ward started his career in trucking at D.M. Bowman of Williamsport, Md., nearly 30 years ago. He worked there in various roles and rejoined the company back in 1999 as president and CEO, leading it for 21 years until he retired on April 1, 2022.
“He was very active in TCA during these years, culminating with his service as out chainman in 2021-22,” Culp said. “His leadership and legacy as a long-term member of TCA is exemplary…He enjoyed his retirement for a whole weekend before beginning his role as TCA president on Monday, April 4, 2022.”
Culp added that Ward’s leadership changed the association’s trajectory, as he transformed the staff from the association management mentality to an ‘energized, productive, customer-focused business machine.’
InCharge Energy appoints Carter as chief revenue officer
InCharge Energy has named Dennis Carter as its new chief revenue officer, effective March 17. In his new role, Carter will oversee all sales functions and lead revenue growth across the company’s commercial EV charging, service, and maintenance operations, according to a news release.
Carter brings extensive experience in the EV charging sector, most recently serving as sales leader for the B2B EV charging division of LG Electronics North America. There, he helped launch a new division focused on commercial verticals. Prior to that, the release reads, he led channel sales at ChargePoint and EV Connect, including ChargePoint’s automotive vertical in 2021 and 2022, where he spearheaded the deployment of more than 6,300 charging stations for brands such as BMW, Subaru, Mazda, Kia, Lexus, and Toyota.
“His compelling experience building and leading high-performing teams in top-tier companies focused on electrification makes him the best candidate to drive InCharge’s revenue growth,” said InCharge CEO Cameron Mohr.