Chris Schoate is the Vice President of Driver Recruiting and Retention at Gulf Winds International, where he drives strategic initiatives to attract and retain top talent in the trucking industry. With over two decades of extensive experience, Chris has successfully grown Gulf Winds Owner Operator fleet by over 250 net owners.
Prior to his current role, Chris served as the Director of Recruiting at Roadrunner Freight, where he help revitalize their recruiting department and helped start transportation’s greatest. come back story.His tenure at Covenant Transport saw him managing a team responsible for producing 150 hires weekly and innovating the company's recruiting processes.
Chris's career foundation was laid during his distinguished service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, where he performed direct security for Air Force One and managed critical recruiting and engineering projects. His leadership and strategic planning skills were honed through roles such as Recruiter and Engineer Team Leader, where he achieved top recruiting performance and supported operations in high-stakes environments.
Residing in Medina, TN, Chris is a devoted family man and an avid Tennessee sports fan. He and his wife are proud parents to two adopted children from the foster system and were recognized as the 2013 Colorado Foster Parents of the Year. Chris holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and numerous certifications in sales and recruiting.
Chris’s mission is to leverage his expertise and leadership to drive impactful changes in the trucking industry while fostering a supportive and enriching personal life.