International job hunt leads to dream career for Love's employee

As Love's expands its services for professional drivers through the growth of Love's Truck Care and Speedco locations, the company's number of offerings has grown to include engine oil, diesel fuel anti-gel, fuel injector cleaner and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).

At the center of the effort to make sure Love's locations are stocked with these products for customers is Merchandising Planner Violeta Bingham.

"My team and I negotiate with our vendors, analyze data and financial impacts, and overall make sure we're offering the best truck maintenance products for our customers," Violeta said.

Violeta's career journey to where she is today in Love's merchandising department required a lot of patience, had some setbacks, and began thousands of miles away from Love's corporate offices .

Originally from the eastern European nation of Bulgaria, she immigrated to Venezuela when she was 10. Sadly, as she entered adulthood, Violeta faced a pair of tragedies that would eventually lead her to the United States. Within a span of four years, her mother and father passed away.

"I was in college and didn't have any biological family members in Venezuela," Violeta said. "It was very hard, but at the same time, I knew God had plans for me."

Thankfully, Violeta soon felt support and encouragement from a family who adopted her. She also began to look for possibilities beyond Venezuela and its economic instability, where Violeta was making about $50 per month. After her stepsisters from her adopted family moved to the U.S., Violeta considered applying for citizenship. However, that option wasn't readily available at the time due to her limited finances.

Then, a chance meeting at her stepsister's wedding in Florida set the stage for Violeta's career with Love's.