Meet Lisa Weaver of Clayton Connect

Lisa Weaver, Clayton Connect Elite Pilot Driver of the Year, has made a career of making firsts.

In 2018, Lisa Weaver was looking for a change. An English teacher at the time, she found herself ready for a new career that would allow her to spend more time with her family. Her husband, Billy, already a private driver, encouraged her to consider his industry. Shortly thereafter, Lisa trained to become a pilot driver. (This specialized driver travels in front of, or in back of, an oversize truck in a separate vehicle, warning the public if there are traffic changes or obstacles due to the truckload.)

A year later, the couple learned about the opportunity to drive for Clayton Connect® NC. Clayton Connect is Clayton Home Building Group’s transportation company, which delivers homes safely from building facilities to retail partners or home sites across the country.

A Clayton Connect driving team typically consists of three team members: two pilot truck drivers and one toter truck driver. Lisa and Billy saw posts at Clayton Connect North Carolina as the perfect career opportunity for their family and quickly joined as what Lisa describes as “a package deal,” with Lisa a pilot driver and Billy a toter.

In taking the new job, Lisa also made a bit of company history: she became Clayton Connect’s first female driver. Since that time, Lisa has completed hundreds of deliveries, with Billy just a truck behind for most of them.

The role has required her to flex her communication muscles on a daily basis. Having her voice heard has given Lisa increased confidence in a male-dominated industry. “It’s important for team members to realize the unique qualities they bring to the table. Having my opinions listened to and suggestions followed has helped me realize my own strengths,” she says.

In spring 2024, Lisa was named the 2023 Connect Elite Pilot of the Year, an honor she earned by having the lowest pilot score in the company among Clayton Connect pilots. This is an honor that recognizes pilot drivers for their commitment to driving excellence and safety.

While Lisa appreciates the acclaim, the ultimate reward is the job itself. As she explains: “My truck is my office-with-a-view, and the view changes every day. I never know what I am going to see and experience."

Three for the Road

An all-female driving team makes a historic delivery.

In 2023 alone, Clayton Connect drivers traveled a combined 12,500,000 miles to deliver nearly 50,000 homes. Among those miles logged was a very special first: On December 18, 2023, pilot drivers Kia Allison and Izabella Brunson, along with toter driver, CDL-licensed Sherein Sumrall, became Clayton Connect NC's first all-female driving team.

The trio transported the Sunrise model, a 1,700-square-foot home from Clayton's Benchmark series, over 100 miles and across two states. The trek was not without adventure.

Before reaching their destination of Clayton Homes of Florence, South Carolina, the team had to change multiple tires along the sides of major roads. As pilot driver Allison explains, the group took it all in stride: "It was an awesome experience to be able to work with this team of women. We worked as a team even with changing two tires in under four minutes. We handled the job. What an opportunity!"