By Heather Hogeland

 Brenda Tankersley is my choice for the second ‘Million Mile Mama’ because I have personally known her for over 20 years and she is my very best friend. She and I have trucked together all over this country on more occasions than either of us cares to remember, been through more things together than either of us can possibly forget! J I believe she is due a little recognition for all her years of safe driving.

Brenda began trucking as a very young bride back in the 80’s and ran with her husband for many years driving all manner of trucks and hauling many types of trailers, in fact she got her CB handle “lil’ bandit” when they were hauling cars. It’s really a funny story but suffice it to say she EARNED the handle!

Towards the end of the 90’s her marriage fell apart but Brenda continued to truck at RPS (the company they were working for at the time) with another lady driver who also worked there. They worked as a team for a while until Brenda began running with a new co-driver, one she eventually married, Steve Tankersley.

Employed by Estes Express (or ‘big E’ as we commonly call them) for the last almost 9 years Brenda has continued to uphold her outstanding safety record of no accidents into well past the 3 million mile mark. In fact, in March in Louisville, at MATS, Brenda was honored by the ‘Women in Trucking Association’ for having achieved that milestone -  3 million SAFE miles. AMAZING!!!

As a team driver with her husband they average about 5000 miles each week running between Jackson, TN and Fontana, CA including the extra work the company gives them upon their return to Memphis.

Brenda has a large extended family and I can tell you all they are very proud of her and her accomplishment. Roger and I also are extremely proud of her and are happy to be able to share her story with all of you! Congratulations Brenda, Keep on truckin’!