“There is nothing quite like the trucking industry that touches everyone’s life.”

Glenna Bruun, COO & Senior Executive Vice President, Texas Trucking Association

Glenna Bruun is the COO and Senior Executive Vice President of Texas Trucking Association (TXTA), which serves as the unified voice of the trucking industry in Texas. She has worked at the association for 15 years.

Prior to joining the trucking industry, Glenna specialized in communications within government and politics. She began her career as a press assistant in Governor Perry’s Press Office and later held the position of press secretary to First Lady Anita Perry.

In 2007, Glenna joined TXTA to handle communications for the association. She takes great pride in her work for Texas’ trucking industry and the association’s member companies. “It’s a honor and privilege to work for the Texas trucking industry and TXTA,” she told TMAF.

“The Texas trucking industry has a family feel; it’s a supportive community,” Glenna explained, citing the warmth and engagement of the association’s members, many of whom are family-run businesses. By getting to know the families of the trucking companies in Texas, “You get to know the heart of the industry,” Glenna explained.

One of the top reasons that Glenna enjoys working in the trucking industry is the people and the close-knit community. As a service industry, Glenna explained that the industry is filled with amazing people who are in the environment of giving to others.

“We’re providing a service to people to keep communities running. I don’t think there are too many other industries that can really say that they are the ones making sure America continues to move. There is nothing quite like the trucking industry that touches everyone’s life. When something like a pandemic happens, you get to see the real people behind the wheel doing things out of the goodness of their hearts, to make sure America continues to move and people get what they need.”

Some of her favorite experiences from her work at the association are from TXTA’s participation in ATA’s Call on Washington program, which provides trucking companies in states across the country with an opportunity to meet directly with Members of Congress and congressional staff, as well as ATA staff to discuss in person legislation and regulations affecting the trucking industry. “Our members love being there,” Glenna explained. “It’s such a fascinating way to make a difference and advocate for the industry.” She takes great satisfaction in watching as the new association members become more comfortable as they tell the story of their business and how policies would impact them as they meet with elected officials throughout the day.

Glenna is always on the move as a busy mom of four young children and an avid volunteer in her community. She is also currently pursuing a PhD in adult education at Texas State University.

Discussing the career opportunities for women in trucking, Glenna said it’s a great place for people who want to work in a cutting-edge field since the future for trucking is bright. The industry has expanded so drastically over the last 20 or 30 years, Glenna explained, and is continually changing with new technology to meet the demands of the supply chain and the needs of people. “It’s exciting to be in the transportation arena today. There is great growth on the horizon, and we get to be a part of that!”