“Trucking: what an industry to be in!”

LouAnn Wagner, CEO, Texas Auto Carriers

LouAnn Wagner is the Chief Executive Officer of Texas Auto Carriers, a transport, towing and equipment hauling company that was founded in 1984 by her and her husband.

The company started with just a few trucks and a dream. Now, Texas Auto Carriers is the premier transportation company in southern region, hauling across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Louisiana.

Telling TMAF about her business and the pride she feels in building it over the years, LouAnn said, “we are the quintessential small business story, sort of the American dream, if you will. We were young and we started a business. We’ve raised our children while owning and operating a business in this industry. It’s an incredible story, building your business and now it’s this big successful business.”

When asked what LouAnn enjoys most about her job, she said it’s the people. “I like being able to come to work, walk in and shake hands and talk to drivers and staff on a regular basis.” She enjoys getting to know her staff and takes great pride in running a business that provides jobs for others. “I’ve been in business long enough that I’ve been able to see a generation grow up. My salesperson’s dad drove for me through the 80s and 90s. I’ve watched her grow up and now she’s in sales, so that’s very rewarding to me, to know that I produced something that supported families; that they raised their families by being employed by us. I take that very seriously.”

She likes working in the trucking industry because it’s fast paced. “Things change very rapidly. It can be stressful, but the pace of it is very rewarding.” She also takes great pride in being part of an essential industry. “Trucking: what an industry to be in. Literally everything you own is moved by a truck! It is rewarding being in the industry because it is the lifeblood of our country.”

Because of the opportunity within the industry, LouAnn considers those who are interested in the trucking industry to explore the options available to them, especially for younger Americans who may not be interested in pursuing a college degree. Citing starting salaries above $100,000 a year for drivers, LouAnn said, “Getting into the industry as a young person right now, there’s a tremendous amount of opportunity. It’s a really great job and a great career.”

LouAnn encourages more women to join the industry. “I think it’s important because I believe that women bring a different perspective to the table,” she explained. And she’s seen great progress over the years. “I see women joining this industry rapidly. I think that in the past, it has been primarily a male dominated industry and the barrier was there, but women are breaking barriers currently in our culture, in all industries. There are jobs for all women in trucking. From jobs as drivers, to office staff to C-Suite level positions.” She’s also proud to see more women business owners in trucking.

In fact, LouAnn is very active in the National Association of Women Business Owners, where she was recently honored by the organization with their Lifetime Achievement Award.

LouAnn is a board member of the Texas Trucking Association. She’s been a member of the Association since the early 1990s. Her expertise in operating a company that provides both towing and trucking services has uniquely positioned her well as a legislative affairs liaison in Texas between both the trucking and towing industries.