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President and CEO
Carter Express Inc. and Carter Logistics LLC
Jessica Warnke said she’s compelled to build on the legacy her grandfather and father built at Carter Express, a 2,000-employee Anderson-based trucking and logistics company. Although the family no longer owns the business, “it was their hard work that got our start, and I am proud to continue their work.” In 2012, she started as director of marketing and worked her way up to president and CEO in 2021. In that role, she is responsible for all aspects of the business and continues to take on international projects and responsibilities on behalf of parent company Logisteed. She is credited with accelerating the company’s growth and profitability while providing a warm, family-type atmosphere.
Getting here: Warnke was born into the business. “I’ve grown up watching my father grow the business and started interning here in high school. I worked elsewhere after college to gain some other experience but started back here in 2012 and have been working and learning here ever since.” She started her career at Kimberly-Clark Corp., where she was ultimately promoted to the Walmart sales support team in Bentonville, Arkansas.
First job: In junior high school, working for her aunt’s catering business. “I stayed in the kitchen and helped create the platters and clean the dishes while she and some of the older staff would set up and tear down the food in the actual event space.”
Givebacks: chair, Indiana Motor Truck Association; board, Madison County Economic Development Corp.; member, Technical Advisory Committee of the Madison County Council of Governments
Meaningful moments: “I think you can find influential moments every day if you are looking for them. There is always something new to learn and ways to get to know your team or your business better. I think some of my most memorable and influential moments revolve around mistakes or failures; those seem to teach me more and stick with me more than any of the big wins or accomplishments.”
Lesson learned: “My default reaction will always be to avoid conflict. It’s just who I am as a person. I’ve had to work hard to learn how to address issues directly so things don’t go on.”•
Check out more Forty Under 40 honorees.
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