JOANIE EILAND

Joanie Eiland recalls wishing she had a woman mentor in the early days of her career — so she became one.

“I think we process things differently and experience things differently. And there’s nobody to talk to,” Eiland says.

On mentoring others, she calls it a joy “to be there for the firsts — whether they are collaborations, contracts or wins.”

“It’s very rewarding to share the joy in those victories,” she says.

Eiland built her career as owner and president of John D. Eiland Co.,
a wholesaler of Anheuser-Busch beers, from 1993 until she sold the company in 2006. Since 1995, she also has been president of Elk Trucking, which she founded.

Working for her formerly family-owned company was “the foundation of everything I have done,” she says.

Community involvement matters to Eiland as much as mentorship, and she’s been a champion for business and education. She currently serves as vice chair for GO Virginia’s Region 8 council, working to support economic development backing for public and private initiatives, including workforce development, across the Shenandoah Valley.

Eiland also sponsored a capstone project for James Madison University’s computer information systems students.

“As a company I have tried to sponsor as many things as I can within the community,” Eiland says. “I feel like community involvement is critical in any business or endeavor.”