The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Baiba Blumbaha as its December 2021 Member of the Month. She is the Kenworth regional sales manager at PACCAR Parts, a division of PACCAR Inc.
From an early age, Baiba knew she wanted to work for a transportation company. She was fascinated by trucks and the logistics side of the industry. Baiba worked for a logistics company after graduating from Oklahoma State University in 2010 and was recruited by PACCAR a few months later. Growing up in Latvia in Northern Europe, Baiba was familiar with DAF Trucks, a division of PACCAR, and felt it was the right company for her. She moved to Bellevue, Washington to work at PACCAR’s corporate headquarters and on her first truck plant tour, she fell in love with manufacturing.
Over the past ten years, Baiba has worked in many different fields of the company such as materials, purchasing, marketing and sales. As Baiba’s roles have evolved, she has used experience from previous positions to build a solid foundation of knowledge and unique perspective. Baiba believes each position she has held has aligned with the different phases of her life.
“At this point in my life, I really enjoy working in sales. It gets me out of my comfort zone and makes me more strategic. I feel like this role is a great fit for where I am right now,” said Baiba. Getting the opportunity to get to know the end customers is important to Baiba. Whether it is an owner-operator or a large fleet, she likes meeting with customers to better understand their business needs.
As a regional sales manager, Baiba is on the road a lot, traveling to Kenworth dealerships around the U.S. and Canada. Baiba meets with dealership management and sales staff to learn about their business needs and how to best serve customers in their area. Baiba knows dealers in California have different needs than dealers in remote areas of Canada. She credits district parts managers for setting her up for success by providing information that helps her strategize business opportunities that strengthen the partnership PACCAR Parts has with Kenworth dealers.
Baiba values the expertise of colleagues who have been in the industry long term and enjoys working with young adults who are new to the trucking industry. She knows first-hand the impact a mentor can have and wants to be that person for others creating their career path.
Giving back is important to Baiba. She has served as PACCAR Parts Diversity Council Chair for several years and led PACCAR’s fundraising efforts for the Juvenile Diabetes Research’s event “Beat the Bridge.”
“Women have the same education and drive to forge ahead as men,” said Baiba. “Women should work in the transportation industry and continue to support and mentor each other. Just go for it, you will not regret it!”
