PLM Fleet, the Newark-headquartered leader in refrigerated trailer leasing, is celebrating a major industry milestone. The company announced that Christa Rugova, senior director of business support services, has been named a 2026 Top Woman to Watch in Trucking by Redefining the Road, the official magazine of the Women In Trucking Association (WIT).
Rugova was selected as one of only 75 women nationwide to receive the honor, recognized for her significant career accomplishments and her role in mentoring other women within the transportation sector.
Since joining PLM Fleet in 2015, Rugova has become a central figure in the company’s push toward a “technology-first” business model. Her leadership was recently highlighted by the successful implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) project that streamlined operations across all of PLM’s 34 nationwide locations.
One of her most visible contributions to the fleet industry is the rollout of the PLMServiceCode™. This innovation placed a unique QR code on every PLM trailer, allowing customers to instantly initiate and monitor service requests from their mobile devices—a move that has significantly improved the efficiency of refrigerated supply chains.
“Christa Rugova has been instrumental in successfully delivering complex, cross-functional process enhancements that streamline operations and strengthen the digital interfaces our customers rely on,” Keith Shipp, president and CEO of PLM Fleet said.
The recognition from WIT comes at a time when the trucking and logistics industry is increasingly focused on diversifying its leadership. Jennifer Hedrick, president and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association, noted that Rugova was chosen not just for her technical skill, but for her “meaningful impact” on her organization.
- Mentorship: Serving as a dedicated catalyst for the advancement of women within PLM Fleet.
- Process Innovation: Leading cross-functional teams to bridge the gap between complex logistics and user-friendly digital tools.
- Operational Efficiency: Managing an fleet of over 15,000 refrigerated trailers through smarter, data-driven management solutions.
Headquartered in the heart of Newark, PLM Fleet, LLC is the largest nationwide company dedicated exclusively to refrigerated trailer leasing and supply chain solutions. By focusing on temperature-controlled transport, the company plays a vital role in the distribution of food and pharmaceuticals across the United States.
