Rachel Cook has held multiple management roles in the trucking industry over her 23-year career. In the beginning of her vocation, she spent 21 years working at both a Kenworth dealership and an International dealership. In 2020, Cook accepted her current role at McKenzie Credit Group, which has expanded her experience to include truck financing with an independent lender.

At the age of 22, Cook became the youngest credit manager in the history of the Kenworth dealership, before moving on to International, where she was recognized by Navistar several times for strong receivables and portfolio balances. Her achievements have continued to accumulate at McKenzie Credit Group, and under her tenure, the company has more than doubled its portfolio as well as its team.

Cook has always believed that personal growth and professional growth go hand in hand. Cook says “girl power” is her motto and she lives it by continuing to thrive and give back to her community. Outside of her professional career, Cook has served for 12 years on the board of a local youth wrestling nonprofit organization. Along with her board duties, she also volunteers as the organization’s bookkeeper and fundraiser. Volunteering in a mainly male-dominated sport in the youth wrestling arena, she has witnessed the strides of the sport to be more inclusive to girls. Cook says this same change is also happening in the trucking industry, as women become more and more visible and accomplished in the sector.

“Challenging social norms can be frightening, but without taking steps on a path less traveled, how does one grow? Thriving in male-dominated environments requires a combination of tact and knowledge. Adapt and persevere; knowledge is a superpower,” Cook says.

Cook’s professional mission is to continue to grow McKenzie Credit Group and her team as a leader in the equipment financing industry. McKenzie Credit Group continues to grow as a truck financing leader, recently focusing its efforts on growing as a contender in heavy equipment financing. Cook trusts these goals can be accomplished through a strong work ethic. She continues to develop new procedures to streamline and update company processes and improve speed in efficiency in all processing, decision making and company funding. Cook is a firm believer in leading by example, not only with her McKenzie team, but also with her five children.

Cook is excited for the progression of her professional career and McKenzie Credit Group’s future. She has continued to climb the professional ladder while raising children. She is proof that women can have it all, even in an industry that has been mainly dominated by men. She says working hard and creating a fun atmosphere are a winning combination for success.

“Rachel’s leadership style comes with a great bag of industry knowledge, tenacity and enthusiasm, knowing when to teach and when to hold her tongue,” Dave Cary, president of McKenzie Credit Group, says. “She is never afraid to take on a new project, learn the ins and outs and then pass that on to someone to try and help them grow their career.”