We’re taking it virtual! Join us for the biggest virtual freight conference of the year, with an extended lineup of amazing speakers and innovative companies planned. Expect to hear from industry titans and caffeine-fueled entrepreneurs who are leading the charge into 2020. Expect to finish the year strong and be ready to tackle the challenges that lay ahead in 2021 and beyond. Networking opportunities will be plentiful through an attendee Slack channel. Connect with other freight aficionados in individual chats or groups to discuss what you’re seeing on screen. Check in with the advanced freight tech companies and learn about how they can improve your own business operations. Just because we’re going virtual doesn’t mean you can’t meet and greet with the smartest and most driven minds in the industry. Our industry is becoming increasingly digitized and speed, efficiency, safety, and communication strategies are improving every day. FreightWaves LIVE @HOME will showcase the technologies and services that use data to project and monitor the freight markets. Regardless of the role you play in supply chains, you can expect to come away from this experience energized and informed to tackle the biggest challenges facing our industry. Plan to attend THE freight conference of the year!
Click On Each Session For More Information; All times shown in EST.
J.B. Hunt has committed to a technology evolution, but that journey has taken time, investment, and the right mix of people and innovative thinking. President & CEO John Roberts III sat down with J.B. Hunt’s EVP & Chief Commercial Officer Shelley Simpson to talk about that transformation.
Some transportation companies have leaned into the headwinds and supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. ArcBest’s CEO Judy McReynolds and FreightWaves’ President George Abernathy discuss the challenges COVID-19 has presented and how ArcBest is using its customer-centric approach to thrive in the chaos.
FreightWaves CEO, Craig Fuller, and Mike Isaac discuss the rise of Uber in the transportation industry. Isaac is the New York Times, bestselling author of “Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber.” They dive into the evolution of Uber, the impacts of new regulations, SPACs and technology’s place in the world today.
Trinity Logistics President Sarah Ruffcorn responds the same way to practically every business challenge and opportunity: focus first on relationships. Whether completing a merger as Trinity did with Burris Logistics in 2019 or determining the best approach to the warp-speed changes in logistics technology, making sure all stakeholders are considered is her go-to philosophy for running a business.
Sanne Manders, COO of digital freight forwarder Flexport, speaks to Steve Ferreira, founder and CEO of Ocean Audit Inc., about why vertical integration strategies by carriers like A.P. Moller-Maersk may succeed, and why it sees Maersk as a partner and not a competitor. Manders also said that capacity assurance will be the central issue in what is expected to be a volatile 2021.
Axele boasts the first intelligent TMS system for full truckload carriers. At little to no cost for small to medium carriers, users can easily register and begin dispatching loads to drivers, viewing driver experience and settling up payments. The platform is able to connect the load board and ELD providers, which helps optimize carrier’s load planning and allows for profit and business growth.
SkyBitz wants to help fleet managers maximize cube productivity to meet or exceed KPIs, all before reaching the yard gate. By connecting the SkyBitz SkyCamera solution to the TMS, fleet managers can keep loads at desired capacity, as well as locate empty trailers. Once the door closes on the cube, notifications can be sent to keep dock supervisors based on set KPI requirements.
J.J. Keller demonstrates its standout Safe & Smart Driver Training Program. The customizable training material is designed to create safer, smarter and more successful drivers, helping companies avoid costly accidents and hefty fines.
Focusing on the final mile, Trimble Map’s solution helps organizations leverage location data to streamline operations. Its platform contains rich data on each delivery location, which allows fleets to gain precise ETA’s and site intelligence regarding parking and ideal approaches, which ensure safe and quick deliveries.
Once a lightly regarded alternative to a traditional initial public offering, the special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, is here to stay, says Vincent Cubbage, CEO of Tortoise Acquisition Corp. After marshaling the public debut of natural gas Class 8 truck driveline maker Hyliion Holdings, Cubbage is hunting again. His new SPAC is one of more than 170 so-called blank check companies sifting the startup landscape for candidates to financially enable the growth that supports public trading.
There may not be a better time in the history of the U.S. trucking industry for companies to digitize their operations. Cloud-based technologies for transportation companies are rapidly driving down systems infrastructure price tags and are much easier for trucking companies to deploy.
CORE.ai is designed to deliver clarity in times of uncertainty. A product of Optimal Dynamics, the software answers the questions you’ve always had about your truckload network. Using high-dimensional AI (artificial intelligence), CORE.ai offers shippers and carriers a dynamic dispatching toolset to model every detail about your company.
Transflo demonstrates how its product is well-positioned to help make players across the industry more efficient–including shippers, brokers, carriers and drivers. The company’s wide swath of solutions are intended to make users’ workflow simpler and safer through innovative technological adoption.
Cargo Chief’s C4 carrier sourcing platform provides logistics professionals with practical, unique and current data to make superior business decisions. Rather than scrolling through countless Excel spreadsheets to search for a truck, C4 makes it easy to find the right carrier every time by offering real-time lane pricing and prioritized load opportunities, among other intuitive features.
Turvo specializes in collaborative logistics through its connected cloud platform that empowers shippers, carriers and brokers to connect and communicate on a single platform. The platform emphasizes collaboration and visibility as key factors in achieving supply chain management unlike relying on spreadsheets and siloed software— the long-standing status quo.
Northstar’s LIFT (Linking Information for Transformation) wants to boost human intelligence through artificial intelligence. Acknowledging the issue of technology fragmentation in the industry, LIFT understands the challenges of time and risk that companies face. By using robotic processing automation, LIFT pursues end-to-end integration of document management systems that serve brokers, carriers and shippers.
Front recognizes a blindspot in the logistics industry: the inefficiency of email. Its platform integrates seamlessly with apps like Slack and Salesforce, and prioritizes message ownership, automation of repetitive tasks and optimization of response time. Front boasts that it saves an employee 6 hours of work each week, increasing productivity.
Samsara demonstrates how their customers have utilized the platform to help adapt their businesses in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The company offers a portfolio of industrial solutions designed to bring hardware and software together, helping streamline processes and make communication more efficient.
Opendock is a dock-scheduling software that gives carriers the ability to schedule their own dock appointments, saving time and money for warehouse staff. The platform offers two views: one for warehouse administrators to configure dock availability and the other for carriers to book appointments. Opendock boasts 35,000 registered users and records an estimated 500,000 appointments every month.
American shippers are adjusting their inventories to meet increased at-home customer demand during and after COVID-19. Logistics services providers, such as Estes Forwarding Worldwide, are rapidly adapting their business models to tackle this changing dynamic.
Securing the air cargo supply chain takes collaboration between industry and government because there are so many interconnected pieces. Find out how the Transportation Security Administration engages with industry players and some of its priorities for securing cargo on passenger aircraft and freighters.
Shawn Kerrigan, co-founder and COO of Plus, joined FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller on a special episode of “Fuller Speed Ahead” Thursday as part of FreightWaves LIVE @HOME, to discuss “The Path to Safe Deployment of Autonomous Trucks.” “We think that there is a tremendous potential in the autonomous vehicle space to improve safety, reduce costs, reduce CO2 emissions, and just drive overall economic efficiency,” Kerrigan said.
In a discussion entitled “How technology is making the job of being a truck driver safer and more enjoyable,” Jay Gustafson of Echo Global Logisitcs talks with Anthony Petittge of Truckpark about how tools from in-cab cameras to to ELDs have made driver’s life better...for the most part. But there have been drawbacks as well, and the two of them discuss that aspect of technology.
Digital tools and platforms are giving freight-industry participants the flexibility they need to deal with the COVID-heightened pace of change. Eric Rempel, chief innovation at Redwood Logistics, discusses the digitalization trend – and how his company’s product, RedwoodConnect, is faring in the “new normal.”
FreightWaves will announce the winners of the 2021 FreightTech 25. A peer group of CEOs, industry leaders and freight investors selected the winning companies from the 2021 FreightTech 100.
MobiControl is the enterprise mobile device management solution of Stratix. Used by thousands of clients globally, MobiControl provides real-time visibility and control of your mobile devices on one platform. It’s intuitive dashboard enables users to effectively manage frontline workers and driver operational efficiencies.
Home Delivery Booking and Homeowner Scheduling1) Show multiple ways of booking deliveries to include new functionality in Shipper 360 as well as our ability to do a tight integration with a client’s website. Demonstrate how a client can include J.B. Hunt Final Mile delivery and scheduling inside their workflow for a seamless experience for their customers. 2) Show multiple ways of interacting with the end consumer. First, the ability for the client to use our scheduling tools to work directly with their customers, second, our ability to push scheduling tools to the consumer either via text or email for them to do it self-service or third, use our direct integration solution to have consumers schedule the delivery as part of product purchase and checkout. 3) Track delivery progress at finalmile.jbhunt.com
ZUUM Logistics Super Platform includes a digital freight marketplace, shipper TMS, broker software, carrier TMS and driver app. Shippers access instant freight quotes and gain real-time load visibility. Brokers accelerate load coverage and automate client notifications. Carriers receive transparent commissions, profitable loads, and route optimization.
HubTran's back-office automation platform enables 3PLs and freight brokers to reduce costs, minimize errors and improve cash-flow by enabling accounts payable teams to work 4X faster.
This demonstration shows how HubTran ingests load documents from carriers and automatically identifies the documents, extracts load data, ensures that information is correct, manages exceptions and settles loads in the TMS. We will also introduce our new, fully-automated lights-out processing capabilities which allows for no-touch processing of incoming load documents from carriers.
Platform Science shows off the power of edge computing. The company’s cutting edge telematics solution eliminates the latency involved in cloud integration, opening up new solutions and capabilities by transferring information directly from the truck to the driver via wifi or bluetooth connection.
Trucker Tools presents its digital platform intended to connect brokers and carriers, as well as provide real-time visibility and load tracking services. The software’s new Broker Advantage Portal allows 3PLs to apply their branding to the platform, bolstering brand recognition among carriers.
Centered around the Nobel prize winning work of the Behavioural Insights Team, LinkeDrive combines behavioral and computer science to help drivers achieve best-in-class performance through relevant contextual coaching and feedback. LinkeDrive’s fully automated driver experience platform is fully automated to ensure consistent driver interaction without adding costs, time and stress to your driver, operational and IT teams.
FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller hosts a session on the morning of Day 2 of FreightWaves LIVE @Home. Tune in as Fuller discusses some of the highlights of Day 1 and previews some of the upcoming sessions of Day 2. In addition, Fuller is bound to have a key announcement or two to share with the audience.
During a virtual fireside chat Friday as part of FreightWaves LIVE @HOME, Ryder System Inc.'s Dave Belter, vice president and general manager of transportation management, joined FreightWaves President George Abernathy for an “Inside Look: The Freight Market During the Upcoming Wildest Holiday Season.” “This industry was affected differently by the pandemic - when I look across the board at our volumes, they are up to pre-pandemic levels, to 2018 levels.”
McLeod shows off its digital freight matching option. The service–offered in partnership with Parade–allows McLeod PowerBroker customers to match qualified carriers with available freight. The platform enables customers to access a full view of once-hidden capacity and manage matches with ease.
Introducing TriumphPay Select Carrier. As the program expands, brokers will generate more QuickPay revenue, have happier carriers, and see less payments and data going to third parties. Every time a broker works with a Select Carrier, they will automatically take QuickPay on that load. As the base of Select Carriers grows, brokers will see more and more carriers come through their networks automatically defaulted to QuickPay without any additional work. Carriers will receive benefits including dedicated specialists, low QuickPay rates, and special discounts through our partners. Learn more by watching TriumphPay’s FreightWaves Live Demo.
Loadshop presents its digital marketplace platform, designed to allow shippers and carriers to match up their freight and capacity directly. By offering something of a do-it-yourself approach, the tool opens up new freight opportunities and eliminates often opaque broker fees.
Samsara demonstrates how their customers have utilized the platform to help adapt their businesses in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The company offers a portfolio of industrial solutions designed to bring hardware and software together, helping streamline processes and make communication more efficient.
As e-commerce demand continues to skyrocket, logistics companies are looking for more efficient ways of delivering goods in cities. In this fireside chat, Peter Harris, international sustainability director for UPS, discusses bikes, smart grids and other innovations to manage congestion and reduce emissions in urban delivery.
John Verdon joins Craig Fuller to talk about the future of self-driving trucks. As companies like Tesla perfect their autonomous vehicles, what does that mean for the trucking industry? Waymo hopes to provide a way forward for driverless trucks.
SPACs — special purpose acquisition corporations — have come a long way from being regarded as the “skunk at the garden party” to a welcome investment vehicle. John Larkin, an operating partner at Clarendon Capital, and Dan Hennessy, the chairman and CEO of Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp., discuss the recent popularity of SPACs, particularly in the electric vehicle and alternative fuel industries.
FreightWaves Founder and CEO Craig Fuller talks tech and business growth with Steve Hackney, head of solutions engineering for Front, a customer communication platform that seeks to improve workflow management and team collaboration through a user-friendly interface. Hackney works with Front's 6,000+ customers by helping them successfully manage their growth as they scale up or expand their offerings.
The trucking industry is grappling with sharp increases in insurance premium renewals due to large jury awards and some providers exiting the market. Listen to Robert Haley, VP of Transportation USI Insurance Services and Pierre Laguerre, founder and CEO of Fleeting, a marketplace providing vetted CDL drivers to fleets, discuss tips on risk mitigation for carriers.
Supply chains have been focused on cost and scale rather than flexibility, with a heavy emphasis on China. Shifts in manufacturing and logistics patterns are underway, but they vary by industry.
When it comes to supply chain visibility, the jewelry industry is one sector where demand is high for predictive data that can help insurers mitigate risk - particularly for international shipments - which can lead to lower transportation prices and better service. This discussion between executives from a supply chain tech startup and the largest insurer of retail jewelers in the U.S. will reveal how AI-enabled IoT is bringing new levels of supply chain visibility to an established industry that has been reluctant to embrace technology.
Understanding Insurance Risk & Liability For New Trucking Companies
Pierre Laguerre, Fleeting Pro and Robert Haley, USI Insurance Services
The Latest With AV Commercialization
John Verdon, Waymo and Craig Fuller, FreightWaves
How Technology Is Making The Job Of Being a Truck Driver Safer and More Enjoyable
Anthony N. Petitte, TruckPark, Inc. and Jay Gustafson, Echo Global Logistics
Opportunities In Freight Tech: Perspectives From Someone New To The Industry
Daragh Mahon, Werner and Vishnu Rajamanickam, FreightWaves
The Increased Rate Of Digitization Due To The Pandemic
Jacques DeLarochelliere, ISAAC Instruments
Tearing Down The Walls: Improving Visibility For Everyone
Ilya Preston, PAXAFE and Ben DeBoer, Jewelers Mutual
Urban Logistics and Delivery
Peter Harris, UPS
Just In Time VS Just In Case Inventory Management
Kris Bjorson, JLL and Kevin Hill, FreightWaves
How The Supply Chain Will Look Post-Pandemic
Willy Shih, Harvard Business School
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Emily Szink, EVP of Content, FreightWavesTim Dooner, Director of Audio, FreightWavesCraig Fuller, Founder and CEO, FreightWaves
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig was the founder of TransCard, a major provider of fleet fuel and debit cards. He is also the CEO of FLYING Magazine, the world’s most widely read aviation magazine. Previously, Fuller founded the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress, a leading provider of on-demand expedited truckload services. He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.
Emily Szink is the EVP of Media at FreightWaves overseeing editorial, TV and Audio. Emily is an award-winning journalist with close to a decade of on-camera experience. She has done almost every kind of reporting from sports, to the breaking news and court beat, to lifestyle reporting.Emily’s TV career started in Dayton, Ohio when she was still a senior at the University of Dayton. She beat out hundreds of hopefuls in an “American Idol” style contest to become the face of the Dayton’s CW Network.After Dayton, Emily moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota to be the Morning Anchor for Rapid City’s NBC affiliate. Emily just couldn’t get enough of her 2 a.m. alarm clock and continued her morning news career in Omaha, Nebraska where she worked for almost six years. While in Nebraska, Emily won numerous local, state and regional awards for her exclusive interviews and original reporting.Emily came to FreightWaves in May of 2019 as FreightWavesTV’s first anchor.
Dooner is currently creating new podcast, radio, video, and multimedia content for FreightWaves. He is hard at work on developing the next greatest podcast known to man. Dooner is a 14-year supply chain industry veteran who has held directors positions in operations, sales, consulting, and marketing. Having worked with FedEx, Reebok, Adidas, L.L. Bean, Hasbro, Louis Vuitton, and many more high level clients across the full spectrum of the field. He is a co-host and producer on What The Truck?!? and the host/producer of FreightWaves Insiders.
Prior to joining Revolution, Ron was a Partner and National Practice Group Chair at O’Melveny & Myers LLP. While on leave from the firm, he gained national notice as General Counsel for the Gore Recount Committee in 2000, in recognition of which he was selected as one of National Law Journal’s “Lawyers of the Year” and was featured in the HBO film Recount. Ron began his legal career as a Law Clerk to Supreme Court Justice Byron R. White, and later served as Chief Counsel of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
In addition to his career in law and business, Ron has extensive public service experience, most recently as the White House Ebola Response Coordinator from October 2014 to February 2015. Earlier, he served as Chief of Staff to Vice President Biden and a Senior Aide to President Obama; Chief of Staff for Vice President Al Gore and Attorney General Janet Reno; and Staff Director for the Senate Democratic Leadership Committee. He has served as a top debate preparation advisor to Presidents Obama and Clinton, as well as Democratic Presidential nominees Al Gore, John Kerry and Hillary Clinton.
Active in a number of civic and non-profit groups, Ron has served as Chairman of the Board of the Vice President’s Residence Foundation, a member of the Board of Visitors of Harvard Law School, and a Board Member of the American Constitution Society and the American Progress Action Fund. He also serves as a Member of the Administrative Conference of the United States and is a contributing columnist at The Washington Post.
Ron is a summa cum laude graduate of Georgetown University (where he serves as an Adjunct Professor) and holds a JD, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he was an Editor of the Harvard Law Review and won the Sears Prize for the highest grade average in 1985.
Emily Szink is the EVP of Media at FreightWaves overseeing editorial, TV and Audio. Emily is an award-winning journalist with close to a decade of on-camera experience. She has done almost every kind of reporting from sports, to the breaking news and court beat, to lifestyle reporting.Emily’s TV career started in Dayton, Ohio when she was still a senior at the University of Dayton. She beat out hundreds of hopefuls in an “American Idol” style contest to become the face of the Dayton’s CW Network.After Dayton, Emily moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota to be the Morning Anchor for Rapid City’s NBC affiliate. Emily just couldn’t get enough of her 2 a.m. alarm clock and continued her morning news career in Omaha, Nebraska where she worked for almost six years. While in Nebraska, Emily won numerous local, state and regional awards for her exclusive interviews and original reporting.Emily came to FreightWaves in May of 2019 as FreightWavesTV’s first anchor.
Anthony Smith, Director of Market Experts, FreightWaves; Zach Strickland, Market Analyst, FreightWaves; and Andrew Cox, Market Research Analyst, FreightWaves
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Zach Strickland, the “Sultan of SONAR,” curates the weekly market update. Zach is also one of FreightWaves’ Market Experts. With a degree in Finance, Strickland spent the early part of his career in banking before transitioning to transportation in various roles and segments, such as truckload and LTL. He has over 13 years of transportation experience, specializing in data, pricing, and analytics.
Hosted by Anthony Smith, Director of Market Experts, FreightWaves
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Kevin Hill is the host of Put That Coffee Down, the popular freight sales podcast, a former freight broker and the founder of CarrierLists. Kevin holds an MBA from the University of Oklahoma.
Benjamin Gordon is founder and Managing Partner of Cambridge Capital. He draws on a career building, advising, and investing in supply chain companies. Benjamin has led investments in outstanding firms including XPO, Grand Junction, Bringg, GreenScreens.ai, ReverseLogix, Everest, Boa, and others.
As CEO of BGSA Holdings, Benjamin has spent his career investing in and helping to build supply chain and technology companies. Benjamin has provided M&A and strategic advisory services to major firms such as UPS, DHL, Kuehne & Nagel, Agility Logistics, NFI Logistics, GENCO, New Breed and others.
Prior to BGSA, Ben founded 3PLex, the Internet solution enabling third-party logistics companies to automate their business. Benjamin raised $28 million from blue-chip investors including Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, BancBoston Ventures, CNF, and Ionian. 3PLex was then purchased by Maersk. Prior to 3PLex, Benjamin advised transportation and logistics clients at Mercer Management Consulting. Prior to Mercer, Benjamin worked in his family’s transportation business, AMI, where he helped the company expand its logistics operations.
Benjamin is an active civic leader who is committed to giving back to the community. As founder and chairman of GesherCity, he boosted young adult volunteerism, expanding the organization to over 100,000 members in twenty locations. Benjamin is founder of the Ukraine Logistics Coalition, which has delivered over $20 million worth of medical supplies. Benjamin has also served on the Boards of several non-profit groups, including the Palm Beach United Way, the Palm Beach Federation, the Palm Beach Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), the JDC, the JCCA, the Middle East Forum, and various other community organizations.
Benjamin received a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale College.
Shelley Simpson is the President and Chief Executive Officer for J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. With over 30 years of experience with J.B. Hunt, her career reflects the company’s continued progression as an innovative leader in the transportation and logistics industry. Her strategic leadership has been recognized with several accolades, including the Excellence in Free Enterprise Award from Economics Arkansas, Influential Woman in Trucking by the Women in Trucking organization and as Woman of the Year in Innovation by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas.
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig was the founder of TransCard, a major provider of fleet fuel and debit cards. He is also the CEO of FLYING Magazine, the world’s most widely read aviation magazine. Previously, Fuller founded the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress, a leading provider of on-demand expedited truckload services. He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.
Dooner is currently creating new podcast, radio, video, and multimedia content for FreightWaves. He is hard at work on developing the next greatest podcast known to man. Dooner is a 14-year supply chain industry veteran who has held directors positions in operations, sales, consulting, and marketing. Having worked with FedEx, Reebok, Adidas, L.L. Bean, Hasbro, Louis Vuitton, and many more high level clients across the full spectrum of the field. He is a co-host and producer on What The Truck?!? and the host/producer of FreightWaves Insiders.
Doug Schrier leads Transflo’s product and innovation organization. In 2017, he joined the company as VP of Product and Innovation after serving as VP of Continuous Improvement and Program Management for Covenant Transportation Group, a $700M Transportation and Logistics Company. His leadership includes over 15 years of Innovation, Technology, and Management experience in a wide array of companies. He earned his B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Kennesaw State University(Formerly Southern Polytechnic State University).
From the world’s largest global retailers, manufacturers and consumer products companies to the smallest owner-operator drayage trucking companies, success depends on end-to-end visibility and orchestration of global supply chain networks. Every move. Every mode. Every mile. With its AI-enabled, data-driven digital platform and solutions for real-time visibility, logistics execution, asset management, optimization and financial audit & settlement, Blume Global leverages more than 25 years of data insights, its globally connected network, and advanced technologies to help enterprises be more agile and responsive, improve service delivery and reduce costs. Learn more at blumeglobal.com.
Hosted by Anthony Smith, Director of Market Experts, FreightWaves
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Hosted by Tim Dooner, Director of Audio, FreightWaves and Michael Vincent, Freightcaster, FreightWaves
Dooner is currently creating new podcast, radio, video, and multimedia content for FreightWaves. He is hard at work on developing the next greatest podcast known to man. Dooner is a 14-year supply chain industry veteran who has held directors positions in operations, sales, consulting, and marketing. Having worked with FedEx, Reebok, Adidas, L.L. Bean, Hasbro, Louis Vuitton, and many more high level clients across the full spectrum of the field. He is a co-host and producer on What The Truck?!? and the host/producer of FreightWaves Insiders.
John “JT” Engstrom serves as FreightWaves’ Chief Strategy Officer, overseeing the Market Expert team of analysts, FreightWaves’ proprietary research group Freight Intel, and the commercial engagement team. Engstrom will also help with corporate strategy, partnerships, and prepare the company for the next stage of growth.Prior to joining FreightWaves, JT was a top Transportation & Logistics analyst and Wall Street investment banker at STIFEL. While at STIFEL, in partnership with Board of Advisors member John Larkin, JT was consistently ranked among the top three equity analysts by StarMine in both the road & rail as well as airfreight & logistics categories between 2014 and 2018. Throughout his tenure in investment banking in 2018 and 2019 JT focused on public market, private equity, and family office deals completing nearly $1 Billion in transactions in trucking and asset light logistics.Prior to that JT was in Oliver Wyman’s Transportation & Logistics management consulting practice. Engstrom’s first job out of college was writing route optimization models and algorithms for truckload carriers.
I’m passionate about technology, innovation and improving the world.Loadsmart is revolutionizing transportation logistics by inserting transformative technology to reimagine the entire truckload shipment lifecycle. We are not happy with the status quo. We believe there is a better, more efficient and socially responsible way to move freight across the world.After a career in global finance, I chose to roll up my sleeves and actually build a company. I returned to my engineering roots and I’m applying everything I learned at Goldman Sachs across New York, London, and Brazil in Loadsmart.I'm energized about giving back in dynamic and collaborative settings. As a Georgia Tech alum, member of their ISyE Advisory Board and a "Mentor Jacket" I'm able to participate in a thriving tech ecosystem which promotes creativity, entrepreneurship, and progress.I firmly believe in learning by doing.My favorite quote: “you don’t regret what you do, you regret what you don’t do.“In my spare time (which is very limited), I love to kitesurf!
Douglas R. Waggoner has served as Chief Executive Officer since December 2006 and was a Board member from 2008-2021. Mr. Waggoner also has served as our Chairman of the Board since June 2015.
Prior to joining Echo, Mr. Waggoner founded SelecTrans, LLC, a freight management software provider based in Chicago, Illinois. From April 2004 to December 2005, Mr. Waggoner served as Chief Executive Officer of USF Bestway, and from January 2002 to April 2004 he served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing for USF Corporation. Mr. Waggoner served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Daylight Transport from April 1999 to January 2002, Executive Vice President from October 1998 to April 1999, and Chief Information Officer from January 1998 to October 1998. From 1986 to 1998, Mr. Waggoner held a variety of positions in sales, operations, marketing and engineering at Yellow Transportation before becoming Vice President of Customer Service.
Mr. Waggoner holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from San Diego State University.
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig was the founder of TransCard, a major provider of fleet fuel and debit cards. He is also the CEO of FLYING Magazine, the world’s most widely read aviation magazine. Previously, Fuller founded the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress, a leading provider of on-demand expedited truckload services. He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.
Hosted by Anthony Smith, Director of Market Experts, FreightWaves
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Nick Hobbs, President DCS and Final Mile Service, J.B. Hunt and Shelley Simpson, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer and President of Highway Services, J.B. Hunt
Shelley Simpson is the President and Chief Executive Officer for J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. With over 30 years of experience with J.B. Hunt, her career reflects the company’s continued progression as an innovative leader in the transportation and logistics industry. Her strategic leadership has been recognized with several accolades, including the Excellence in Free Enterprise Award from Economics Arkansas, Influential Woman in Trucking by the Women in Trucking organization and as Woman of the Year in Innovation by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas.
John Paul conducts research on multimodal freight markets and holds a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Michigan. Prior to building a research team at FreightWaves, JP spent two years on the editorial side covering trucking markets, freight brokerage, and M&A.
Vijaysai Patnaik works on building self-driving trucks and cars at Waymo. He is Product lead for Waymo trucking and works closely on self-driving software (Perception) as well. His past experience includes Google, tech startups (ecommerce & logistics), venture capital (Accel Partners) and consulting (McKinsey) across US, India and Israel. He has an MBA from Harvard.
Paris Cole is responsible for all facets of Truckstop.com including leading the executive and management teams, and multiple corporate functions including business growth and financial planning. He also oversees ITS Financial Services, the company’s finance arm. Prior to coming on board at Truckstop.com, Cole was the controller for Cochlear Americas. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Idaho State University.
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig was the founder of TransCard, a major provider of fleet fuel and debit cards. He is also the CEO of FLYING Magazine, the world’s most widely read aviation magazine. Previously, Fuller founded the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress, a leading provider of on-demand expedited truckload services. He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.
John Paul conducts research on multimodal freight markets and holds a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Michigan. Prior to building a research team at FreightWaves, JP spent two years on the editorial side covering trucking markets, freight brokerage, and M&A.
Lily Shen is CEO & President at Transfix. She joined the company after more than two decades in Silicon Valley with a vision to build the world's most connected and intelligent freight platform. In her first year, Shen tripled Transfix’s growth by developing an innovative carrier strategy that provides unparalleled flexibility and service, and contributed to a 5x increase in Transfix’s enterprise customer base, which now includes Unilever, Staples and Target. In 2020 Transfix rolled out a suite of products and services that further enable the company to harness the vast potential of the rapidly-evolving digital freight space.
Prior to joining Transfix, Shen held numerous senior leadership positions at renowned companies such as eBay, Wealthfront and IDEO, and served as an advisor to leading global platforms including WeChat, Coupang and Mercari. At eBay she built new business lines and grew key verticals for the global marketplace. At Wealthfront, she was instrumental in launching one of the leading fintech platforms today, and at IDEO, she led the mobility and advanced technology practices.
Shen earned a Bachelor of Science from New York University’s Stern School of Business and currently lives in her hometown of New York City.
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig was the founder of TransCard, a major provider of fleet fuel and debit cards. He is also the CEO of FLYING Magazine, the world’s most widely read aviation magazine. Previously, Fuller founded the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress, a leading provider of on-demand expedited truckload services. He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.
Peter Rentschler is the CEO of Metafora, the industry-leading consulting and technology firm driving change in Logistics and Supply Chain. Peter leads client service and engagement delivery. He has advised shippers, carriers and 3PLs to create and implement long-term strategies enabled through digital transformation and operational efficiency. Having worked for enterprise and boutique consulting firms, Peter has worked with clients across multiple industries including transportation, retail, technology, insurance, and finance. Passionate about the future of freight, Peter and Metafora are moved by the impact people and technology have on businesses, and the ability each has to make substantial impacts tomorrow. Peter lives in Boulder, CO with his wife Katie, their son Graham and dog Moose.
Hosted by Tim Dooner, Director of Audio, FreightWaves and Michael Vincent, Freightcaster, FreightWaves
Dooner is currently creating new podcast, radio, video, and multimedia content for FreightWaves. He is hard at work on developing the next greatest podcast known to man. Dooner is a 14-year supply chain industry veteran who has held directors positions in operations, sales, consulting, and marketing. Having worked with FedEx, Reebok, Adidas, L.L. Bean, Hasbro, Louis Vuitton, and many more high level clients across the full spectrum of the field. He is a co-host and producer on What The Truck?!? and the host/producer of FreightWaves Insiders.
Slack, Zoom, WebEx are all well and good, but they never seem to fully scratch that real-world-event itch do they? (Even though we try!) When we’re at events it’s the side chats after a presentation that help us with key takeaways. It’s the one-on-one conversations over lunch or a cold beer that recharge us and provide critical new career opportunities.IceBreaker presented by Loadsure is a fun and super-easy way to experience enjoyable face-to-face conversations with other FreightWaves LIVE @ HOME speakers and attendees. Put simply: It doesn’t stink.Remember: at the end of each day, fun is just 4 clicks away. Look in the FreightWaves LIVE @ HOME slack channel for info on how to join IceBreaker presented by Loadsure. Just pull up a chair (and a beer or Spicy v8), make new friends, cement business connections, and have some laughs.
Emily Szink is the EVP of Media at FreightWaves overseeing editorial, TV and Audio. Emily is an award-winning journalist with close to a decade of on-camera experience. She has done almost every kind of reporting from sports, to the breaking news and court beat, to lifestyle reporting.Emily’s TV career started in Dayton, Ohio when she was still a senior at the University of Dayton. She beat out hundreds of hopefuls in an “American Idol” style contest to become the face of the Dayton’s CW Network.After Dayton, Emily moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota to be the Morning Anchor for Rapid City’s NBC affiliate. Emily just couldn’t get enough of her 2 a.m. alarm clock and continued her morning news career in Omaha, Nebraska where she worked for almost six years. While in Nebraska, Emily won numerous local, state and regional awards for her exclusive interviews and original reporting.Emily came to FreightWaves in May of 2019 as FreightWavesTV’s first anchor.
Dooner is currently creating new podcast, radio, video, and multimedia content for FreightWaves. He is hard at work on developing the next greatest podcast known to man. Dooner is a 14-year supply chain industry veteran who has held directors positions in operations, sales, consulting, and marketing. Having worked with FedEx, Reebok, Adidas, L.L. Bean, Hasbro, Louis Vuitton, and many more high level clients across the full spectrum of the field. He is a co-host and producer on What The Truck?!? and the host/producer of FreightWaves Insiders.
DEREK J. LEATHERS, 49, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Werner Enterprises. Derek has worked in the transportation and logistics industry for over 20 years. Throughout his tenure at Werner, he has held integral roles in many facets of the organization, including the establishment of Werner’s Mexico operations, oversight for all the asset operating groups and leading the launch of Werner Global Logistics, which encompasses transportation management and freight movement within Intermodal, Ocean, Air and Brokerage. Prior to joining Werner in 1999, Mr. Leathers was one of the first foreign members of Mexico’s trucking association (CANACAR) and was based out of Mexico City for several years. Mr. Leathers holds an Economics degree from Princeton University.
George has more than 30 years of supply chain and technology sales and operating experience in building and managing companies, constructing revenue and profit-making enterprises. George is the past President of Emerge where he was recruited to build out commercial offerings and revenue sources. Prior to Emerge, George was President of FreightWaves where he built and was responsible for all revenue and commercial efforts, including SaaS, marketing, and virtual/physical events.
George served as President of Transplace during the company’s rapid ascension into becoming a top 3PL, and has a breadth of technology, asset, and non-asset industry background, having held executive leadership positions at Transplace, J.B. Hunt, Logistics.com and Sabre Logistics. He is a Senior Partner at Venture 53 and Strategic Advisor to New Road Capital Partners.
George holds a BA from Assumption University.
Anthony Smith, Director of Market Experts, FreightWaves; Zach Strickland, Market Analyst, FreightWaves; and Luke Falasca, SONAR Sales Executive, FreightWaves
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Zach Strickland, the “Sultan of SONAR,” curates the weekly market update. Zach is also one of FreightWaves’ Market Experts. With a degree in Finance, Strickland spent the early part of his career in banking before transitioning to transportation in various roles and segments, such as truckload and LTL. He has over 13 years of transportation experience, specializing in data, pricing, and analytics.
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Matt McLelland has more than 20 years of experience in IT and brings a fresh perspective to the supply chain industry. He serves as the Innovation Strategist for Covenant Transport, where his team works to ensure a more affordable, safer delivery of products to customers. He previously served as the Innovation Research Manager for Kenco Innovation Labs. During his IT career, McLelland served as Director of Enterprise Systems for Kenco Group and Director of Technology for the Maclellan Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Georgia.
Emily Szink is the EVP of Media at FreightWaves overseeing editorial, TV and Audio. Emily is an award-winning journalist with close to a decade of on-camera experience. She has done almost every kind of reporting from sports, to the breaking news and court beat, to lifestyle reporting.Emily’s TV career started in Dayton, Ohio when she was still a senior at the University of Dayton. She beat out hundreds of hopefuls in an “American Idol” style contest to become the face of the Dayton’s CW Network.After Dayton, Emily moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota to be the Morning Anchor for Rapid City’s NBC affiliate. Emily just couldn’t get enough of her 2 a.m. alarm clock and continued her morning news career in Omaha, Nebraska where she worked for almost six years. While in Nebraska, Emily won numerous local, state and regional awards for her exclusive interviews and original reporting.Emily came to FreightWaves in May of 2019 as FreightWavesTV’s first anchor.
Zach Strickland, the “Sultan of SONAR,” curates the weekly market update. Zach is also one of FreightWaves’ Market Experts. With a degree in Finance, Strickland spent the early part of his career in banking before transitioning to transportation in various roles and segments, such as truckload and LTL. He has over 13 years of transportation experience, specializing in data, pricing, and analytics.
John Paul conducts research on multimodal freight markets and holds a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Michigan. Prior to building a research team at FreightWaves, JP spent two years on the editorial side covering trucking markets, freight brokerage, and M&A.
Hosted by Anthony Smith, Director of Market Experts, FreightWaves
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Grant Goodale is the Co-Founder and Carrier Experience Officer at Convoy. Prior to Convoy, Grant worked at Amazon, founded and served as CEO of gaming studio Massively Fun, and held senior positions at multiple startups including Reactivity (acquired by Cisco) and Context Optional (acquired by Adobe). Grant earned computer science degrees from the University of Southern California and Cornell University.
John “JT” Engstrom serves as FreightWaves’ Chief Strategy Officer, overseeing the Market Expert team of analysts, FreightWaves’ proprietary research group Freight Intel, and the commercial engagement team. Engstrom will also help with corporate strategy, partnerships, and prepare the company for the next stage of growth.Prior to joining FreightWaves, JT was a top Transportation & Logistics analyst and Wall Street investment banker at STIFEL. While at STIFEL, in partnership with Board of Advisors member John Larkin, JT was consistently ranked among the top three equity analysts by StarMine in both the road & rail as well as airfreight & logistics categories between 2014 and 2018. Throughout his tenure in investment banking in 2018 and 2019 JT focused on public market, private equity, and family office deals completing nearly $1 Billion in transactions in trucking and asset light logistics.Prior to that JT was in Oliver Wyman’s Transportation & Logistics management consulting practice. Engstrom’s first job out of college was writing route optimization models and algorithms for truckload carriers.
Cassandra Gaines is a transportation attorney and founder and CEO of Carrier Assure, the industry’s first carrier performance scoring software that brokers and shippers add to their onboarding platform to help prevent fraud and theft. Cassandra Gaines is also an industry influencer, peers seek her input on transportation matters, drawn to her straightforward approach, experience, and eager enthusiasm. Indeed, Cassandra was named one of the 100 People Transforming Business in North America by Business Insider, joining alumni such as Elon Musk, Jack Dorsey, and Jeff Bezos, solidifying her status as a visionary leader in transportation. To learn more about Carrier Assure and Cassandra, visit carrierassure.com.
Dooner is currently creating new podcast, radio, video, and multimedia content for FreightWaves. He is hard at work on developing the next greatest podcast known to man. Dooner is a 14-year supply chain industry veteran who has held directors positions in operations, sales, consulting, and marketing. Having worked with FedEx, Reebok, Adidas, L.L. Bean, Hasbro, Louis Vuitton, and many more high level clients across the full spectrum of the field. He is a co-host and producer on What The Truck?!? and the host/producer of FreightWaves Insiders.
Kevin Hill is the host of Put That Coffee Down, the popular freight sales podcast, a former freight broker and the founder of CarrierLists. Kevin holds an MBA from the University of Oklahoma.
George has more than 30 years of supply chain and technology sales and operating experience in building and managing companies, constructing revenue and profit-making enterprises. George is the past President of Emerge where he was recruited to build out commercial offerings and revenue sources. Prior to Emerge, George was President of FreightWaves where he built and was responsible for all revenue and commercial efforts, including SaaS, marketing, and virtual/physical events.
George served as President of Transplace during the company’s rapid ascension into becoming a top 3PL, and has a breadth of technology, asset, and non-asset industry background, having held executive leadership positions at Transplace, J.B. Hunt, Logistics.com and Sabre Logistics. He is a Senior Partner at Venture 53 and Strategic Advisor to New Road Capital Partners.
George holds a BA from Assumption University.
Hosted by Anthony Smith, Director of Market Experts, FreightWaves
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Hosted by Tim Dooner, Director of Audio, FreightWaves and Michael Vincent, Freightcaster, FreightWaves
Dooner is currently creating new podcast, radio, video, and multimedia content for FreightWaves. He is hard at work on developing the next greatest podcast known to man. Dooner is a 14-year supply chain industry veteran who has held directors positions in operations, sales, consulting, and marketing. Having worked with FedEx, Reebok, Adidas, L.L. Bean, Hasbro, Louis Vuitton, and many more high level clients across the full spectrum of the field. He is a co-host and producer on What The Truck?!? and the host/producer of FreightWaves Insiders.
Dan founded Ascend out of a relentless passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. As a c-level operator at disruptive startups, as a quantamental management consultant, and as an investor in big ideas, Dan has cultivated a career in enabling the future states of industries. He specializes in new marketplaces, programmatic decision-making processes, and science that pushes the boundaries between fiction and reality.Prior to Ascend Venture Capital, Dan was a mainstay on the operations side of high-growth startups, leading teams to build scalable operational and financial infrastructure. To begin his venture capital career, Dan was poached from his own company to join Lewis & Clark Ventures, a St. Louis-based venture capital firm, at a time when the fund was itself a new venture. Previously, he led Ascend Financial, a consulting firm providing early-stage companies with CFO services, fundraising coaching, and operational strategy design. Dan founded Ascend Financial as a capstone on his portfolio management career at Morgan Stanley and is a CFA Charterholder.Dan is an Olin Business School MBA graduate and holds an undergraduate degree from Yale in mechanical engineering; he also holds a masters in advanced renewable technologies from Washington University in St. Louis. He’s started three businesses and thrived as a performance engineer in the field. In addition to being a startup geek, Dan also enjoys the outdoors, runs triathlons, and sings karaoke poorly with his infinitely supportive wife, Molly Mulligan.
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig was the founder of TransCard, a major provider of fleet fuel and debit cards. He is also the CEO of FLYING Magazine, the world’s most widely read aviation magazine. Previously, Fuller founded the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress, a leading provider of on-demand expedited truckload services. He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.
William O’Donnell is the Managing Director of Prologis Ventures, the innovation platform and venture capital arm of Prologis. With over 23 years of experience in both real estate and technology he heads this new group’s efforts to invest in cutting-edge technology for supply-chain logistics and real estate. Mr. O’Donnell joined legacy AMB in 2003 and established a successful track record of building and acquiring investment platforms and companies globally. In addition, he has private equity fund management expertise including capital raising, joint venture negotiation, asset management, work- outs, debt structuring and disposition. Mr. O’Donnell also has acquisition and development experience throughout Asia, Europe and North America.
Prior to joining AMB, Mr. O’Donnell was Director of Acquisition Solutions at Acxiom Impact a leading digital marketing company and a management consultant at Cambridge Technology Partners. Mr. O’Donnell received his Bachelors of Arts in English and Spanish from Duke University.
Kevin Hill is the host of Put That Coffee Down, the popular freight sales podcast, a former freight broker and the founder of CarrierLists. Kevin holds an MBA from the University of Oklahoma.
Alfonso is an Electronic Engineer, full-stack developer, and technology executive focused on the logistics industry. He has participated in creating state-of-the-art technology solutions such as fully automated vehicle access control systems with ALPR. He has taken projects from zero to completion in live production environments in record time. His passion for entrepreneurship and technology led him to join Lean Staffing Solutions. Alfonso started to grow his technology team, which consisted of only four people back in 2018. However, he believed in this project and moved to Medellin with the ambition to create something extraordinary. Today, that project is known as "Lean Tech", a company that provides highly performant development teams for US-based companies through a nearshoring model specialized in the logistics industry.
Emily Szink, EVP of Content, FreightWaves, Tim Dooner, Director of Audio, FreightWaves, and Craig Fuller, Founder and CEO, FreightWaves
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig was the founder of TransCard, a major provider of fleet fuel and debit cards. He is also the CEO of FLYING Magazine, the world’s most widely read aviation magazine. Previously, Fuller founded the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress, a leading provider of on-demand expedited truckload services. He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.
Emily Szink is the EVP of Media at FreightWaves overseeing editorial, TV and Audio. Emily is an award-winning journalist with close to a decade of on-camera experience. She has done almost every kind of reporting from sports, to the breaking news and court beat, to lifestyle reporting.Emily’s TV career started in Dayton, Ohio when she was still a senior at the University of Dayton. She beat out hundreds of hopefuls in an “American Idol” style contest to become the face of the Dayton’s CW Network.After Dayton, Emily moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota to be the Morning Anchor for Rapid City’s NBC affiliate. Emily just couldn’t get enough of her 2 a.m. alarm clock and continued her morning news career in Omaha, Nebraska where she worked for almost six years. While in Nebraska, Emily won numerous local, state and regional awards for her exclusive interviews and original reporting.Emily came to FreightWaves in May of 2019 as FreightWavesTV’s first anchor.
Dooner is currently creating new podcast, radio, video, and multimedia content for FreightWaves. He is hard at work on developing the next greatest podcast known to man. Dooner is a 14-year supply chain industry veteran who has held directors positions in operations, sales, consulting, and marketing. Having worked with FedEx, Reebok, Adidas, L.L. Bean, Hasbro, Louis Vuitton, and many more high level clients across the full spectrum of the field. He is a co-host and producer on What The Truck?!? and the host/producer of FreightWaves Insiders.
Brooke Sutherland is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering deals and industrial companies. She previously wrote an M&A column for Bloomberg News.
George has more than 30 years of supply chain and technology sales and operating experience in building and managing companies, constructing revenue and profit-making enterprises. George is the past President of Emerge where he was recruited to build out commercial offerings and revenue sources. Prior to Emerge, George was President of FreightWaves where he built and was responsible for all revenue and commercial efforts, including SaaS, marketing, and virtual/physical events.
George served as President of Transplace during the company’s rapid ascension into becoming a top 3PL, and has a breadth of technology, asset, and non-asset industry background, having held executive leadership positions at Transplace, J.B. Hunt, Logistics.com and Sabre Logistics. He is a Senior Partner at Venture 53 and Strategic Advisor to New Road Capital Partners.
George holds a BA from Assumption University.
Tracy Black is a partner at NewRoad Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm located in Rogers, Ar. She serves on the board of Platform Science an IoT fleet management platform company based in San Diego, CA, Emerge a digital freight platform based in Phoenix, Az, and as Chairman of the board for Pickup a final mile delivery service based in Dallas, Tx. She also serves as board observer for Bardavon Health Innovations based in Kansas City, KS. Previously, she served on the executive team as SVP IT at J.B Hunt Transport a fortune 300 transportation logistics company based in Lowell, Ar where she led the IT organization and was responsible for the companies technology strategies including mobility, telematics, cloud migration, digital transformation, analytics and software development. Tracy led the effort to establish an Innovation Center of Excellence for artificial intelligence and machine learning with the University of Arkansas and J.B. Hunt. Tracy is currently serving as a mentor for Endeavor, a global organization founded on the belief that job creation, innovation, and overall prosperity flourish where there is robust support for entrepreneurship. Tracy has served as the President of the NWA Network of Executive Women, President of University of Arkansas CSEG Alumni organization, and as a board member for Credit Counseling of Arkansas, Samsung Executive Advisory Board, Arkansas Academy of Computing, and the Information Technology Research Institute. Tracy is a member of the Arkansas Executive Forum. Tracy received the distinguished alumni award from the University of Arkansas in 2014. She was named a Premier 100 IT leader by Computerworld. In 2020 Tracy received the NWA Women in Business Award.
Lori Heino-Royer is the Head of Business Development at Waabi. Lori started her career as a Certified Public Accountant providing her with a great foundation for understanding how decisions impact the bottom line. She spent nearly 20 years at Daimler Truck North America in numerous roles. She has developed deep industry knowledge through her leadership experience in autonomy, strategy, connectivity technology, finance, sales and program management.
Lori earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Cincinnati and an M.B.A. from Portland State University. In addition, she has held professional credentials as a Certified Public Accountant, a Project Management Professional and a Certified Foresight Practitioner.. Lori has received Awards from Portland Business Journal’s Women of Influence and the Manufacturing Institutes STEP Ahead Award for Women in manufacturing. Lori has served on several boards including: Portland State University, Construct Foundation and Blockchain in Transport Alliance.
Anthony Smith, Director of Market Experts, FreightWaves; Zach Strickland, Market Analyst, FreightWaves; and Andrew Cox, Market Research Analyst, FreightWaves
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Zach Strickland, the “Sultan of SONAR,” curates the weekly market update. Zach is also one of FreightWaves’ Market Experts. With a degree in Finance, Strickland spent the early part of his career in banking before transitioning to transportation in various roles and segments, such as truckload and LTL. He has over 13 years of transportation experience, specializing in data, pricing, and analytics.
Bill is EVP of Flexport Trucking. He was previously the co-founder and Head of Operations at Uber Freight, Uber's logistics business. Bill began his career in freight as the 4th employee at Coyote Logistics (acquired by UPS) where he grew the role to Chief Innovation Officer. Prior to joining Uber, he served as COO at Pillow Homes. He also spent time at Amazon as Director of Planning and Innovation. Bill holds a M.A. in Supply Chain from MIT, an M.B.A. from University of Chicago, a B.A. from Southern Methodist University.
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig was the founder of TransCard, a major provider of fleet fuel and debit cards. He is also the CEO of FLYING Magazine, the world’s most widely read aviation magazine. Previously, Fuller founded the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress, a leading provider of on-demand expedited truckload services. He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.
Zach Strickland, the “Sultan of SONAR,” curates the weekly market update. Zach is also one of FreightWaves’ Market Experts. With a degree in Finance, Strickland spent the early part of his career in banking before transitioning to transportation in various roles and segments, such as truckload and LTL. He has over 13 years of transportation experience, specializing in data, pricing, and analytics.
George has more than 30 years of supply chain and technology sales and operating experience in building and managing companies, constructing revenue and profit-making enterprises. George is the past President of Emerge where he was recruited to build out commercial offerings and revenue sources. Prior to Emerge, George was President of FreightWaves where he built and was responsible for all revenue and commercial efforts, including SaaS, marketing, and virtual/physical events.
George served as President of Transplace during the company’s rapid ascension into becoming a top 3PL, and has a breadth of technology, asset, and non-asset industry background, having held executive leadership positions at Transplace, J.B. Hunt, Logistics.com and Sabre Logistics. He is a Senior Partner at Venture 53 and Strategic Advisor to New Road Capital Partners.
George holds a BA from Assumption University.
Hosted by Anthony Smith, Director of Market Experts, FreightWaves
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Don Burnette is the Founder & CEO of Kodiak Robotics. Don is one of the autonomous vehicle industry’s true pioneers, with more than ten years experience working on self-driving software development. He began his career as a software tech lead for the Google self-driving car project, the predecessor to Waymo. After over five years at Google, Don left the company to co-found Otto, the first self-driving truck startup, which was acquired by Uber. After nearly two years as Software Technical Lead at Uber, Don left to found Kodiak.Don earned a BS in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics and a Master’s degree in Physics from the University of Florida. He also earned a Master’s degree in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University.
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Hosted by Tim Dooner, Director of Audio, FreightWaves and Michael Vincent, Co-Host of What The Truck?!? and Host of Freight Forecasting, FreightWaves with guests Lance Healy, Chief Innovation Officer, Co-Founder Banyan Technologies; Stephen Bindbeutel, Director of Portfolio Strategy, Truckstop.com; David Bell, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Lean Staffing Solutions and CEO, Lean Tech; and Derrick Dunker, AVP of Operations, TriumphPay
Dooner is currently creating new podcast, radio, video, and multimedia content for FreightWaves. He is hard at work on developing the next greatest podcast known to man. Dooner is a 14-year supply chain industry veteran who has held directors positions in operations, sales, consulting, and marketing. Having worked with FedEx, Reebok, Adidas, L.L. Bean, Hasbro, Louis Vuitton, and many more high level clients across the full spectrum of the field. He is a co-host and producer on What The Truck?!? and the host/producer of FreightWaves Insiders.
Derrick grew up in Kansas City and went to the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS where he earned a bachelor’s of science degree in economics with a minor in business finance. During college, he worked as a bank teller for Arvest Bank where he learned a lot about the retail banking world. Following graduation, he was offered a job with RTS Financial Service Inc. as an Account Representative.. While at RTS, he was promoted several times from Account Representative to Team Coordinator to Operations Supervisor and finally to a Senior Supervisor role over the course of his 4 year tenure. His experience with RTS has yielded a wealth of knowledge with regard to factoring and the trucking industry as a whole. Derrick looks forward to this new opportunity with TriumphPay, utilizing his factoring & industry knowledge to help move the needle.
With almost 30 years in the transportation sector, David Bell is at the forefront of strategic development for Lean Solutions Group, Today, he is an instrumental figure in shaping the go-to-market strategies, partnership alignments, and visionary roadmaps for the company.
Beginning his career in 1995, he quickly ascended through various roles in the transportation industry. His leadership as CEO of Smith-Cargo Transportation led to its successful exit and sale to a Private Equity firm.
Hosted by Anthony Smith, Director of Market Experts, FreightWaves
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations. Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries. Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading provider of global supply chain market intelligence and news. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig was the founder of TransCard, a major provider of fleet fuel and debit cards. He is also the CEO of FLYING Magazine, the world’s most widely read aviation magazine. Previously, Fuller founded the Xpress Direct division of US Xpress, a leading provider of on-demand expedited truckload services. He holds a BBA from Baylor University and is a private pilot. He lives with his wife and 5 kids in Chattanooga, TN.
Johnny is an insurtech innovator whose digital-first approach enhances efficiency and effectiveness in the transportation insurance distribution chain. Having conceived a fully digital, end-to-end cargo insurance solution, his company now leverages automation and predictive analytics to streamline premiums and claims while reducing insurance costs. Under Johnny’s leadership, Loadsure has become widely recognized for its innovative approach to transactional business and expansion into new markets, being the only Lloyd’s of London coverholder approved in 2019 and a Lloyd’s Lab 4th Cohort selection. The company was also a runner-up for Insurance Insider’s 2020 Disruptor of the Year Award and a 2021 FreightTech 100 honoree. With 18 years of cargo broking experience, Johnny previously worked at Lochain Patrick and was a founding member of Roanoake International, where he built a client base that included Macy’s, Volga-Dnepr, the Olympics, and Walt Disney.
Steve Ferreria, CEO, Ocean Audit Inc. and Elaine Pofeldt, Journalist and Author of The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business
Elaine Pofeldt is an independent journalist and speaker who specializes in careers and entrepreneurship. She is author of the new book The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business (Random House, January 2018), where she looks at how entrepreneurs are scaling to $1 million in revenue prior to hiring employees.
Steve Ferreira has a 37-year background in global container shipping. He established Ocean Audit in 1994 when he realized general freight audit practices reverse no more than 50% of overcharges occurring in ocean transportation. Today, Steve’s process is leading edge and utilizes machine learning to identify and validate ocean freight invoice errors. Initial recovery validation can be accomplished with only a very basic requested client-side report. Steve Ferreira is often featured in leading business publications like USA Today, Journal of Commerce and as a guest commentator on CNBC.
Erik oversees the nation-wide Named Account Sales Team and is responsible for the success and expansion of Stratix’s large base of existing accounts. Erik brings a background of over 30 years sales experience in the mobile computing industry. From his early years as Director of Sales for Symbol Technology’s Transportation and Logistics group, to his more recent tenure as Vice President of Sales at Agentek, Erik brings a broad array of industry knowledge in mobility hardware, software and services. His career began many years ago in transportation software and on-board computing technology with two different startup companies in T&L technology. Erik is a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, IL where he majored in Business Administration and Finance.
John “JT” Engstrom serves as FreightWaves’ Chief Strategy Officer, overseeing the Market Expert team of analysts, FreightWaves’ proprietary research group Freight Intel, and the commercial engagement team. Engstrom will also help with corporate strategy, partnerships, and prepare the company for the next stage of growth.Prior to joining FreightWaves, JT was a top Transportation & Logistics analyst and Wall Street investment banker at STIFEL. While at STIFEL, in partnership with Board of Advisors member John Larkin, JT was consistently ranked among the top three equity analysts by StarMine in both the road & rail as well as airfreight & logistics categories between 2014 and 2018. Throughout his tenure in investment banking in 2018 and 2019 JT focused on public market, private equity, and family office deals completing nearly $1 Billion in transactions in trucking and asset light logistics.Prior to that JT was in Oliver Wyman’s Transportation & Logistics management consulting practice. Engstrom’s first job out of college was writing route optimization models and algorithms for truckload carriers.
John Larkin was named an Operating Partner at Clarendon Capital in May of 2019. In April of 2021, Mr. Larkin became Strategic Advisor at Clarendon, and was named Chair of the firm’s Advisory Board. His mission is to help craft the firm’s growth strategy while assisting with deal sourcing, capital raising, and the creation of value within portfolio companies. Clarendon remains 100% focused on the transportation & logistics industry, broadly defined. Previously, Mr. Larkin joined Legg Mason (later sold to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc.) in October 2001 to form and to lead the firm’s entry into the transportation markets. For 17 years, Mr. Larkin headed up Stifel’s transportation and logistics research effort. In January of 2018, Mr. Larkin transitioned from Stifel’s Research Department to Stifel’s Investment Banking team. While in Investment Banking, Mr. Larkin advised numerous publicly traded and privately held transportation and logistics companies as well as many financial sponsors with investments in the transportation and logistics space. Over the years, Mr. Larkin has been recognized as an all-star analyst by Institutional Investor magazine numerous times, a Wall Street Journal All-Star analyst on several occasions, and has been awarded multiple Starmine stock picking and earnings estimate accuracy awards. Previously, Mr. Larkin has served as: Advisor to Lean Solutions, Chairman and CEO of RailWorks Corporation, Managing Director with Alex. Brown and Sons' transportation team, AVP - Planning and Analysis at CSX Transportation, Inc., Systems Engineering Consultant with Day & Zimmermann, Inc., and a Research Associate at the Center for Transportation Research (at the University of Texas at Austin). Mr. Larkin earned his MBA from Harvard University in 1984, a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1978, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Vermont in 1977. Mr. Larkin is a CFA charterholder. In addition, he is Vice Chairman of Crown Diesel/Knomatic and a member of The Board of Directors for CRST International, eNow Energy, Cub Ventures (CDLLife), Novapath Supply Chain Systems & Rygen Technologies, Warrior Logistics, and Phoenix Intermodal. He also serves on the Boards of Advisors for Verified Carrier, Freightwaves, Haul, LoadSmart, On-ramp Payments, Truckl.io, Interstate Health Systems, Compact Container Systems, Leaf Logistics, MyCarrier, ITF Group/Hauler Hub, DragonFly Batteries, Farelanes, Heale Labs, Wolf Aft, ZenHedge, MyMechanic, and LineHaul Station. Additionally, Mr. Larkin is a Senior Partner at Venture 53 and an Advisor to Bengur-Bryan, Bakken Energy, and Hoptek. Lastly, he is a member of Aurora’s Industry Advisory Council and a member of the DFM Data Corporation Steering Committee. Mr. Larkin is married and is the proud father of four adult children (Conor, Clifford, Casey, and Sarah Alexandra). He resides, with his wife of 40 years, Nancy, in Dallas, TX, Baltimore, MD, and Saranac Lake, NY, and on Water Island, USVI.
Dr. Darren Prokop joined University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) in 2000, reaching the rank of full Professor in 2010. Originally from Canada, Darren worked for many years in business, government, and academia.Darren received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Manitoba in 1999. Prior to his academic career he worked in government as an economist and in the private sector in manufacturing and inventory planning.His goal at UAA is to help the College of Business and Public Policy achieve its mission for Alaska and beyond.Dr. Prokop loves teaching! He's been teaching in universities since 1993. Darren makes it his personal mission to take complex topics and boil them down to common sense. This helps us to understand what’s truly going on in business systems or in the public policy-making process. He's always said, "if you can’t explain it simply, you simply can’t explain it."
Nate Tabak is a Toronto-based journalist who covers Canada for FreightWaves. He spent seven years as an investigative reporter, producer and editor based in Kosovo. He previously worked at newspapers in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the San Jose Mercury News. He graduated from UC Berkeley.
Rachel Premack is the editorial director at FreightWaves. She writes the newsletter MODES, the go-to newsletter for supply chain insiders (and outsiders).
Before joining FreightWaves in 2022, Rachel was a senior features reporter at Business Insider. She created the trucking beat at Business Insider, and has appeared on ABC News, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, France24, and other major outlets to discuss her coverage.
Prior to that, Rachel was a journalist in Seoul, South Korea. Her articles were published in The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, Bloomberg CityLab, The Verge, and others.
Rachel was a Stigler Center Journalist-in-Residence at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in the spring of 2019. Rachel grew up in Metro Detroit and received her Bachelor's degree in history from the University of Michigan. Her Twitter account is @rrpre.
If you'd like to get in touch with Rachel, please email her at rpremack@freightwaves.com or rpremack@protonmail.com.
Hosted by Tim Dooner, Director of Audio, FreightWaves and Michael Vincent, Co-Host of What The Truck?!? and Host of Freight Forecasting, FreightWaves
Dooner is currently creating new podcast, radio, video, and multimedia content for FreightWaves. He is hard at work on developing the next greatest podcast known to man. Dooner is a 14-year supply chain industry veteran who has held directors positions in operations, sales, consulting, and marketing. Having worked with FedEx, Reebok, Adidas, L.L. Bean, Hasbro, Louis Vuitton, and many more high level clients across the full spectrum of the field. He is a co-host and producer on What The Truck?!? and the host/producer of FreightWaves Insiders.
Slack, Zoom, WebEx are all well and good, but they never seem to fully scratch that real-world-event itch do they? (Even though we try!) When we’re at events it’s the side chats after a presentation that help us with key takeaways. It’s the one-on-one conversations over lunch or a cold beer that recharge us and provide critical new career opportunities.IceBreaker presented by Loadsure is a fun and super-easy way to experience enjoyable face-to-face conversations with other FreightWaves LIVE @ HOME speakers and attendees. Put simply: It doesn’t stink.Remember: at the end of each day, fun is just 4 clicks away. Look in the FreightWaves LIVE @ HOME slack channel for info on how to join IceBreaker presented by Loadsure. Just pull up a chair (and a beer or Spicy v8), make new friends, cement business connections, and have some laughs.
