The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Ashley Leiva as its March 2023 Member of the Month. Leiva is the co-owner of Noemi Trucking in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Shortly after graduating high school, Leiva enlisted in the Army. During her 15 years in the military, she was a Sergeant First Class, E7, and worked as a Culinary Management NCO, hauling equipment, food, and personnel to training and danger areas. She trained in many parts of the world, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia, as well as served two tours in Iraq.
Leiva’s mother, who has been her lifelong inspiration, was a professional driver for more than 20 years. After her passing in February 2021, Leiva took a leap of faith, taking over her trucking company, formerly Leiva Trucking, with her brother, Johnny Leiva, and obtained her CDL to continue her mother’s legacy of hauling crude oil. Leiva and her brother have co-owned what is now Noemi Trucking, named in honor of their mother, for two years.
“The unique part of my job is not everyone can do what we do,” said Leiva. “Hauling crude oil is definitely a tough job and it requires a lot of training and knowledge of your truck and trailer.”
In 2022, Leiva received the annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award during a special ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. The award is part of an overall effort to inspire the hiring of more service members into the trucking industry and to recognize their contributions to the workforce. Additionally, this award included a Kenworth T680 Next generation, equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and PACCAR Powertrain featuring a PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles. “I’m still in shock that I received such a prestigious award,” said Leiva, “I am so grateful blessed, honored, and humbled.”
Leiva is thankful for the support from her family, community, and mentor, Lynette Cervantes, the director at Del Mar College where she obtained her CDL.
“As women, we are taught at a young age to be nurtures, but times have changed,” said Leiva. “We are strong, smart, adaptive, and intuitive. My daughter just turned six and I hope one day I make her as proud as I am to be my mother’s daughter. My mom always told me to take the job that no one wants, and you will always be on top of the list to get the call first!”
