New CPC Driving Duo Finds Success Out of Truck Driving School

A CPC Logistics driving duo assigned to Walgreens in Woodland, California, has made a positive impression in their first six months of working together. Both in their 20s with a combined two years of experience, professional truck drivers Maribel Espinoza and Ihtzel Grijalva are well on their way to a promising career in transportation.

Maribel was just 19 years old when she first noticed an advertisement promoting an opportunity to earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Over the next few years, she discovered more about trucking by watching drivers on YouTube discuss the CDL training process and their experiences in the field.

“I liked driving and traveling to new places,” said Maribel. “I’m not one to stay inside or have a desk job. You’re always doing something different and new in trucking. That appealed to me.”

Maribel and her current driving partner Ihtzel each decided to take the next step and attend truck driving school. For four weeks they learned how to operate a conventional tractor trailer, critical safety practices and procedures and all the skills needed to earn their CDLs. After receiving their licenses, CPC hired Maribel and Ihtzel and provided on-site training.

“For a driver to be successful in the industry they must be willing to learn and be confident in their abilities,” said CPC Regional Manager Yves Thomas. “Both Maribel and Ihtzel were eager to improve and not afraid to ask for help. They built their confidence through our training process and were fully prepared to embark on their own at the end.”

As a woman, Maribel expected it to be more difficult to enter the male-dominated trucking industry, but she has been pleasantly surprised by her positive experience. She enjoys the scenic routes through California and Montana and is proud of the skills she has gained.

“The team faced many challenges out on the road this winter through mountainous terrain and icy, snow-packed roads,” said Yves. “They have never shied away from a challenge and have always performed their duties in a safe manner. We, as well as the team at Walgreens, are pleased with their work ethic and have nothing but good things to say about them.”

After partnering in August 2022, Maribel said she and Ihtzel “clicked right away” as a team by balancing their workload and setting a schedule that works for them. Maribel is pleased to see an increasing number of women on the road and encourages more to consider a career in trucking like she and Ihtzel did.

“Do it,” she said. “Don’t hold back or let anyone discourage you. Trucking is not as daunting as it may seem.”