Gloria Tapia is a Truck Driver for Texas Materials. Here we talk to her about what got her into this business and what she loves about it.
What drew you to a career in construction? I was always interested in becoming a truck driver ever since I was a kid. We’d be in the school bus and I’d see truckers driving by and they’d honk their horn for us. I remember thinking, ‘One day, I’m going to become a truck driver.’ Now, one of my favorite parts of my job is honking my horn for the little kids I see on the school bus. It’s a great feeling.
How did you get started doing this work? I started out building engines for Caterpillar, so I’ve always had an interest in building and operating equipment. Then a few years ago, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a truck driver. I went to driving school and after I graduated, I started out as an Over the Road driver. My routes took me all over the country and I learned how to drive in all kinds of conditions. Once, I even delivered a trailer full of water as part of FEMA’s emergency hurricane response efforts in Florida. I loved the work, but I missed being home and seeing friends and family. So when a friend of mine told me about Texas Materials, it was a perfect opportunity to do what I loved while being able to work close to home.
What is a typical day like for you? Every morning first thing, I do my pre-trip inspection to check my truck and make sure everything is ready to go. I pay close attention to the air pressure in the tires, check all the fluids – radiator, oil, windshield washers. The washer fluid and blades are especially important because it gets dirty out there when we’re hauling these materials, so we have to make sure our visibility is clear. All of this is extremely important so that we can be safe when we’re out on the road.
From there, we’re assigned a plant to work out of for the day and we haul all types of materials to jobs throughout the city.
What do you enjoy most about your job? I love this job.Every day is a new adventure, never the same thing twice. One day we might be hauling hot mix asphalt, another day it’s sand or gravel, and there’s a new job site to deliver to every day. One day we might deliver asphalt to a Bass Pro Shop that’s being built, and the next it could be for a school, or even a highway. Every day is a new challenge, and I never get bored.
Any advice for women considering a career in this industry? Don’t let anyone tell you that trucking or any other career you want to do is a man’s job. You can do it yourself, I promise. I’m a trucker – I’m living proof of what you can do if you don’t give up on your dream, if you don’t worry about all the ‘what ifs’ in the back of your mind. How do you know what you can do if you don’t try?
Texas Materials maintains strict privacy policies, ensuring that personal information and mobile information of our users and members is not sold, shared, rented, released, or traded to third parties for marketing/promotional purposes.
Texas Materials recognizes the importance of protecting the personal privacy of its website visitors. The following Privacy Policy describes the types of information Texas Materials may collect and permissible use of that information.
With over 1,700 locations throughout North and South America and 50,000+ employees, Texas Materials is among the leading building and construction products companies in the world. Texas Materials delivers outstanding performance and growth by acquiring, partnering and investing in companies with strong management teams that demonstrate consistent profitability and exceptional customer service. By using our website, you consent to the collection and use of information in the manner described below.
Collection and Use of Personal Information
Texas Materials does not collect personal information (name, address, Email address, telephone number, etc) through its website unless you provide it to us voluntarily. Texas Materials may ask you for personal information to respond to your questions; to process or fulfill your order, request or employment inquiry; or to register you in contests and sweepstakes. In some instances, Texas Materials may need additional personal information in order to process or fulfill your order, request or employment inquiry. The decision to provide the additional information rests with you; however, if you do not provide some information, you may not be able to take advantage of all of our services or special offers.
Texas Materials will not share your personal information with third parties without your permission, except as otherwise necessary (i) to process or fulfill your order; (ii) to respond to your request or answer your inquiries, including employment inquiries, (iii) to enter you in contests, sweepstakes or other promotional activities that you voluntarily participate in, or (iv) to comply with any applicable law, court order or other judicial process. Texas Materials may occasionally hire other companies to provide certain services on its behalf, including management of contests, sweepstakes and surveys. Texas Materials may provide such companies with the minimum amount of personal information necessary to deliver the service. Texas Materials will take reasonable steps to ensure that any personal information shared under these circumstances will not be used for any other purposes.
Texas Materials does not sell or provide personal information data to non-affiliate third parties for promotional purposes, and you will not receive Emails or mailings concerning Texas Materials or its products, services or promotions unless you specifically elect to receive such information.
Collection and Use of Statistical Information
When you connect to our website, Texas Materials may automatically collect technical, non-personal information. Examples include the type of Internet browser used, your computer operating system and the IP address of the website from which you linked to our website. Texas Materials may share aggregate website statistical information (such as sales, traffic patterns or related information) with third parties to develop ideas for improving its website and the services offered through the site. No such shared statistics will contain any personal information.
Cookies
When viewing our website, information in the form of a cookie or similar file may also be stored on your computer. This information helps Texas Materials tailor its website in a manner to better match your interests and preferences. If you do not wish to receive cookies or want to be notified when they are placed on your computer, many Internet browsers allow you to erase existing cookies, block cookies or warn you before a cookie is stored on your computer. Consult your specific browser’s instructions to learn more about these features.
Access by Children
Texas Materials has no way of distinguishing the age of individuals who access our website. If a child has provided us with personally-identifying information without consent from a parent or guardian, the child’s parent or guardian should contact us, and we will take reasonable steps to remove the information from our files.
Modification or Deletion of Personal Information
If you need to change or correct any personal information provided to us, or wish to have all personal information we have collected removed from our files, please contact us and we will take reasonable steps to comply with your request.
Security
Although no system is currently 100% immune from external attack, Texas Materials has taken commercially reasonable measures to prevent unauthorized access to and improper use of your personal information.
Scope of Policy and Third Party Sites
This Policy applies only to this website. The privacy policy of other websites, including those accessible by links from this site, may differ from ours. We encourage you to read the privacy policy for each website you visit, to ensure you understand and agree with the applicable policy.
Changes to Policy
Texas Materials reserves the right to change the Policy at any time without notice. Policy revisions are effective upon posting and apply only to data collected thereafter. You should periodically visit this Texas Materials website to review the current terms.
SMS Terms and Conditions
Customer service communication with Dispatch, and Hours of Operations
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