Joanna Jungels: Giving it her all in specialized transport

Over the last few months, I’ve often heard the phrase “keeping it 100,” mainly in social media posts. I wasn’t sure what it meant, so like we all do, I did a Google search. The resonating definition is that it describes a person or a group who are authentic, honest and real.

When I met up with Joanna Jungels for this interview at the SC&RA January Board Meeting in California, USA, the first thing that came to my mind was that this vibrant, smart, industry go-getter “keeps it 100.”

“Kindness is so underrated. No matter what their role is, be kind, whether you are talking to an important state official or someone in line in front of you at the grocery store.” Joanna Jungels, Manager of Permitting, ATS Specialized

Jungels gives 100 percent to her job, her family and her friends and she does so with a rare brand of optimism and genuineness. For 21 years she has managed the permitting process of ATS Specialized, based in St. Cloud, Minnesota. A long-time familiar and perpetually smiling face at the SC&RA Specialized Transportation Symposium, Jungels is chairman of the event in 2026.

Leading the way

She is honored to chair the Symposium, and she is excited about the presentations and educational sessions on the agenda. The fact that she is the first woman to head up the event doesn’t phase her. When she started in this industry in 2005, very few women were in leadership roles in the specialized transportation industry. Today, that’s not the case. And Jungels leads the way.

Shortly after taking the job in the permitting department at ATS, she was encouraged to register for the Symposium. She attended her first one in 2006, and she hasn’t missed one since.

“I have met so many people, and even if we are competitors, we can share experiences and best practices that are so important to our jobs and the industry,” she said. “We are all constantly learning and improving.”

She and I had a wonderful chat in San Diego, and her enthusiasm about the industry and this month’s Symposium was compelling. She was candid about problems and proud of the progress made since she’s been in the specialized transportation industry. I think you will be interested in her answers to our questions.

WHAT WERE YOUR COMMITTEE’S GOALS WHEN PLANNING THE SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION SYMPOSIUM?

The Symposium is a great opportunity to engage in conversations with others who are doing what we are doing in our jobs. There are opportunities to make a difference just by sharing problems and working toward solutions together. It’s all about being engaged and sharing ideas.

It’s valuable to learn different perspectives and understand the hurdles that we will be predicting. The Symposium is a great way to be proactive and get involved in SC&RA and the challenges we face as an industry. We wanted to give everyone the opportunity to start a dialogue about a number of subjects and talk about solutions.

Right before the Symposium, the states have their Department of Transportation meetings. They also hold joint meetings. This is a great precursor and it’s so valuable to the states, the regional groups and to the industry. As a carrier, it’s difficult to stay above the curve. All the state DOT regional groups meet – AASHTO, MAASTO, NASTO, WASHTO, SASHTO – to hash things out. A lot of progress is made at these meetings and it’s a great way to engage the states and work toward solutions.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT?

I think it’s the dialogue. Today our committee discussed what makes a safe carrier. While there are some bad apples, most carriers are trying to do the right thing, even when no one is looking. What have we done differently in the past five years? Safety and technology are big influencers in how we do business.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING THE SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION SECTOR TODAY?

You have to talk about the risk and reward. The bigger the risk, you would hope the reward is as big, but it’s not always there. We are still amid economic challenges. We are making less money and there are a lot more requirements and more regulations.

It’s harder to make that dollar and anticipate supply and demand. Rates aren’t where we want them to be. Things are so much more expensive, especially insurance, maintaining your fleets and getting the work. And we have to still find a work/life balance. We have a lot of challenges. With ATS Specialized, we want to be the best in what we do. There are a lot of challenges when you work toward being the best.

WHAT KEEPS YOU ENGAGED IN YOUR JOB AND YOUR ROLE AT ATS SPECIALIZED?

To be honest, there’s never a dull moment. There’s always something to do and something to improve. I like that.

I also like to help others learn what I’ve learned. We need to stay updated. I like to connect with people in our industry. Knowledge sharing should not be taken for granted. In this industry, there’s a never-ending opportunity to make things better than they were the day before.

WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY?

There are a couple of things. When I say good-bye to my kids in the morning, I tell them to make good choices, be kind to others and know that you are loved. I feel the same way about the people I work with. You also have to love yourself, extend grace, be patient and be humble. We are all in this together. Be kind to others. Every decision has a reward or consequence. That’s my mantra.

Kindness is so underrated. No matter what their role is, be kind, whether you are talking to an important state official or someone in line in front of you at the grocery store. You don’t know what’s going on with that person and what kind of day they are having.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING?

I love spending time with friends and family. We live in an amazing neighborhood, and there’s nothing like having like-minded people in your life who you can relax with and enjoy time together. I love spending time with my husband and our children. We play cards, get outside and unwind. Our kids are my pride and joy. The boys are 24 and 21, and we have a 15-year-old daughter.