In this episode of NextGen Talks, Lindsey Trent sits down with Dr. Gina Smith, an educator leading a Supply Chain and Logistics program at Groves High School in Savannah, Georgia. Dr. Smith shares her personal journey from a 25-year career in the automobile industry to nearly a decade of teaching logistics.

She describes how she built the program into a pipeline for skilled careers by partnering with local industries, securing certifications for students (such as OSHA, forklift, TWIC, hazmat, and logistics technician), and ensuring hands-on exposure through field trips, simulators, and real-world experiences.

Dr. Smith emphasizes her passion for showing students that logistics offers careers—not just jobs—that can change their lives and communities. Many of her students have graduated with certifications, landed positions at companies like Georgia Ports, Gulfstream, and Colonial Group, and even purchased homes at age 19 or 20.

She also highlights the importance of adapting curriculum to industry trends, introducing students to AI and robotics, and keeping them engaged with experiential learning. Above all, Dr. Smith’s message is clear: invest in young people, love them, hold them accountable, and expose them to opportunities so they can thrive in trucking, logistics, and beyond.

Contact Dr. Gina Smith
gina.smith@sccpss.com
https://www.instagram.com/drgina.smith/

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The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.

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In this episode of NGT Talks, Lindsey sits down with Addison Stout, a 26-year-old from Grand Island Express and a proud member of TCA’s Elevate class, to share her unexpected path into trucking. With a background in business management and no prior knowledge of the industry, Addison took a chance on an interview that launched her career. Four years later, she’s thriving as an Optimal Solutions Specialist, working with AI to streamline dispatch operations for a family-owned fleet of 170 trucks.

Addison opens up about the misconceptions she had about trucking, the value of working in a close-knit company, and the challenges and rewards of dispatching. She also shares what Gen Z values most in a career—respect, flexibility, and opportunities to grow—and why more young people should look beyond stereotypes to explore careers in trucking. From networking through TCA’s Elevate program to seeing firsthand how critical trucking is to the American economy, Addison’s story highlights the opportunities, community, and passion that make this industry unique.

https://giexpress.com/
https://truckload.org/elevate/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/addison-simmons-stout-ab62a317b/

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The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.

Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.com

Contact us at: info@nextgentruckers.com

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In this episode, Lindsey talks with Nicole, founder of the African American Women Trucking Association (AAWTA). Nicole transitioned from the insurance industry into trucking, where a failed 3-truck operation and $20,000 loss inspired her to create AAWTA. Now three years in, the organization supports truckers—especially those facing barriers to entry—through education, wellness, mentorship, and community building.

AAWTA recently launched its first Power Hub in Decatur, Georgia, in partnership with 160 Driving Academy, offering CDL and supply chain certification programs. They also run a six-week youth internship for ages 16–21, exposing participants to logistics, media, and mental health within the trucking ecosystem.

Nicole’s long-term vision is 50 Power Hubs in 50 states, especially in gentrifying areas, to promote job creation and leadership development. AAWTA offers membership tiers for both students and experienced drivers, access to an exclusive marketplace, and strong emphasis on mentorship and wellness. Nicole’s leadership was recently showcased through a Women in Leadership panel at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

Learn more at www.aawta.org

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https://www.fastenal.com/

The Next Generation in Trucking Association is a non-profit trade association who is engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals by partnering with high schools, community/technical colleges and private schools to connect to and launch training programs around North America.

Visit our website: www.nextgentruckers.com

Contact us at: info@nextgentruckers.com

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