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Navigating The Road to Success In Trucking

October 3, 2023

The general session on Day 1 of the 2023 Expedite Expo was one of the best attended workshops of the weekend. With Leah Shaver, President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI), serving as moderator, members of the ES leadership team, Jason Williams and Jeff Tacker, and motor carrier partners within the ES program, Panther Premium Logistics (a service of ArcBest) and Ascent Global Logistics, took the stage to discuss the road to success.

During the hour-long event, the panel addressed pressing questions such as the challenges of the current market, maximizing profitability, building your company, and ways to get the next generation of truckers into the industry.

Frank Tufano, Director, Owner-Operator Recruiting at Panther Premium Logistics (a service of ArcBest), summed it up by stating, “In times like this, when things are difficult and challenging – it comes down to communication and developing a relationship.”

Those two factors are what the Expo has always been about, and for those that attended the panel, we hope that was apparent. You can catch excerpts of the panel discussion with Jason, Jeff, Frank, and Tyler Billeg from Ascent Global Logistics and see why we were so excited about this breakout session.

Question: Within the industry in general, what drives freight rates and what we get paid is dictated by demand for capacity and how many drivers are available. How much churn is due to the fact that we do have some excess capacity in the market and there’s less demand for our services?

Jason Williams From ES Responds

Question: The entire country is grappling with inflation and independent contractors really feel that all the time because they’re also paying for expenses. If someone’s working today as an owner-operator and paying their bills, both for the truck and at home, what are some advantages that they should be seeking in this market today?

Panther Premium’s Frank Tufano Responds

Jeff Tacker From ES Responds

Question: There’s a lot of roadblocks on this road to success. So, what would you say are some hazards that folks that are here should be looking out for in the industry in terms of ownership, freight, equipment, etc as a small business owner?

Ascent’s Tyler Billeg Responds

Panther Premium’s Frank Tufano Responds

Jeff Tacker From ES Responds

Questions: There are all these companies that are huge and they started with one truck. How do fleet owners grow from one truck to three trucks? How do they go from three to 30? Why should a fleet owner, if they are at three trucks or 30 trucks also be interested in doing business with a larger fleet?

Panther Premium’s Frank Tufano Responds

Ascent’s Tyler Billeg Responds

Jason Williams From ES Responds

Panther Premium’s Frank Tufano Responds

Questions: What do you see as far as opportunities today, by way of career path for a professional driver? What are some achievements that can be had by folks who start in the industry? What about people who are already in the industry? How do we accelerate in this job today?

Jason Williams From ES Responds

Ascent’s Tyler Billeg Responds

Jeff Tacker From ES Responds

Panther Premium’s Frank Tufano Responds

Questions: How do you know which opportunity is right for you in this industry? Whether it’s working alone or with someone else in the truck, whether it’s in general trucking or in expedite, whether it’s as an employee or an independent contractor. How do you advise folks when it comes to a particular opportunity in trucking?

Jason Williams From ES Responds

Once the panel wrapped up, we caught up with our partner motor carriers, including Panther and Ascent, to discuss the various opportunities available. Frank (Panther Premium Logistics) was quick to highlight the role Expediter Services (ES) plays in exponentially increasing the opportunities for their fleet owners and owner-operators through programs such as the non-traditional lease purchase program.

Equipment availability is one thing, but access to a “no money down, no balloon payment financing option,” as Frank describes it, combined with the fact that “both companies invest in you” make the partnership special. To hear more, check out Frank’s full video conversation below.

If you are interested in the programs available through ES and its partner motor carriers like Panther and Ascent, or how ES can support you on your way to Success In Trucking, you can contact the ES team with your questions or call (877) 349-9303.

Stay tuned for more exciting news and information from the ES team, including upcoming events and ways to connect.

Frank Tufano – Director, Owner-Operator Recruiting at Panther Premium Logistics, a Service of ArcBest

Honoring Those That Have Served Through Hope For The Warriors

September 18, 2023

What would happen if you were not able to drive the truck that is parked in your driveway? Your way of life altered forever? – That is the challenge that faces many of the military veterans.  

Expediter Services (ES) has always been dedicated to creating a community with support networks in place so that our owner-operators and fleet owners can weather any storm that comes their way. When our partners at Forward Air approached us last year about becoming involved in Operation Forward Freedom, a joint effort with Hope For The Warriors (HOPE), we saw an opportunity to impact the lives of men and women that have sacrificed for our great nation.

Since 2006, HOPE has helped service members, veterans, and military families across the nation when life circumstances change and hope seems to be lost. Their Drive For Hope Driver Rehabilitation Program has a simple mission: restore independence through driving and transportation.

We are excited to join our partners at Forward Air and support their Operation Forward Freedom initiative once again as the Hope and Courage sponsor for the 2nd Annual Drive For Hope Golf Tournament happening September 25th and 26th.

The two day event will begin on Monday evening with a dinner and silent auction, followed by the golf outing on Tuesday morning at Chateau Elan Golf Club in Braselton, Georgia – with all proceeds going to HOPE so that they can continue their mission.

Jeff Tacker, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Commercial Officer for ES will travel with Jason Williams , Co-Founder, President, and CEO along with other members of the ES team to help support Forward in ensuring that our military veterans Never Stand Alone.

We had a chance to sit down with Jeff and discuss this year’s Operation Forward Freedom event, what he was most looking forward to, and how the trucking industry continues to be shaped by veterans.

Operation Forward Freedom and their connection to HOPE helps raise awareness and funds for veteran support services within the trucking industry, but Jeff was quick to emphasize that both last year’s event and the one upcoming go well beyond the money being raised stating – “it’s not only the money, but how it is used.”

According to Jeff, “it is truly inspirational to see everyone come together for a common good, and a common cause, especially for people that we do not know personally. But to connect with people that have been directly impacted by the program, and to see the relief in their eyes, and hear it in their voices, as they gained a support network and regained some freedom is why we [Expediter Services] are excited to be involved again this year.”

Last year Operation Forward Freedom was able to raise $375,000 for Hope For The Warriors – a goal that Jeff expects will be surpassed as the event and movement continues to grow. 

For all of Jeff’s insights and thoughts on Operation Forward Freedom and HOPE, listen to the full interview below.

Jeff Tacker Discusses The Importance of Supporting Veteran’s Programs

With Veteran’s Day just a few weeks away, we caught up with Jeff Tacker from the ES Leadership Team to discuss the importance of honoring our military veterans and how ES is working to support initiatives that are focused on assisting veterans.

If you, or anyone that you know within trucking, can benefit from the services that HOPE provides, or if you would like to support the cause, visit their website to learn more. The HOPE team does amazing work and we are honored to help them LIFT up the veterans within the trucking community.

Shining A Spotlight On The ES Community During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

September 11, 2023

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW) is in full swing, and the men and women that keep our great nation moving forward are once again in the spotlight. At Expediter Services (ES), we do our best to recognize and thank our community members throughout the year, but we wanted to pause and reflect because this week is incredibly special.

The fact is, we interact with owner-operators, fleet owners, and their families on a daily basis, and we see the hard work and dedication that is required to make it in this business.

Driver Appreciation Week offers a unique opportunity to join forces with those that are outside of trucking, where we can collectively acknowledge and express our gratitude to the owner-operators, fleet owners, independent contractors, and trucking entrepreneurs that pour their blood, sweat, and tears into the industry.

This week is an opportunity for the ES team to renew our commitment to those that make up our community, as our way of saying thank you for everything that you do. The simple fact is – your success is our success.

Our Commitment To Our Community

Since 2006, ES has been committed to helping professional drivers realize their dreams of ownership. By removing barriers and putting support services in place, we can help our community members put themselves in the best position to succeed.

From day one, our goal has been to provide transparency and accountability to anyone that chooses to join the ES Community, but our commitment goes far beyond the ownership component.

By partnering with industry leading vendors and motor carriers, we are able to better serve our community with an ever-expanding suite of advantages that can help reduce costs, increase profitability, and improve the chance for success. 

Several ES Community partners and members of our leadership team sat down to discuss the importance of Driver Appreciation Week and to thank those within the community that drives our industry forward. Catch the full conversations below, to hear their thoughts and how they each express their thanks during the week.

Jason Williams – President & CEO of Expediter Services (ES)

Leah Shaver – President & CEO of the National Transportation Institute

Part 1: Jeff Tacker – COO, CCO, Executive Vice President of Expediter Services

Part 2: Jeff Tacker – COO, CCO, Executive Vice President of Expediter Services

Part 3: Jeff Tacker – COO, CCO, Executive Vice President of Expediter Services

Part 4: Jeff Tacker – COO, CCO, Executive Vice President of Expediter Services

Frank Tufano – Director, Owner-Operator Recruiting at Panther Premium Logistics, a Service of ArcBest

Colton Lawrence – CFO & Founder of The Trucker CFO

Help Us Share The Message

The trucking industry touches every American family in one way or another. The ES Community serves an important and growing role that comes with a responsibility to help LIFT up those around us and make the spotlight a little bigger.

Throughout the week, we ask that you help us celebrate the men and women in our community and over the road. We are all part of something bigger than ourselves, and our collective voice has the power to connect to a larger network of people. Share photos, stories, and more to help those that aren’t fortunate enough to work with truckers on a daily basis see just how amazing this industry is and will continue to be.

From the entire Expediter Services team – Thank you! And God bless.

Spotlight On Success: Jean and David Cryer

August 23, 2023

When you see someone that is living a full and adventurous life, you have to take a moment to pause and soak in a little of their wisdom and their experience. For Jean and David Cryer, adventure has been part of their lives over the course of their 32-year marriage. Running their own business within the Panther Lease Purchase Program Powered by ES, just happens to be the most recent chapter.

Jean and David Cryer

Spotlight On Success: Jean and David Cryer

Time in the Trucking Industry: 3 years

Year they Joined ES: 2023

ES Community Carrier: Panther Premium Logistics (a service of ArcBest)

Service Coordinator: Patrick Bertrand

Fun Facts: Jean and David have 6 children, including a set of triplets.

Like many of the owner-operators and fleet owners within the ES community, a career in trucking had never crossed their minds. David, a Marine Corps veteran, worked in aviation, retiring in 2016, while Jean raised and homeschooled their six children. It was an unlikely push from one of their daughters that got them to take a hard look at trucking.

Even then the jump didn’t happen immediately. Like everything in their lives, they wanted to make sure that they had “good solid numbers and less risk,” a combination that isn’t always easy to find as a company driver, according to Jean.

After obtaining their CDL and running for three years during the pandemic as company drivers, they took a short sabbatical. While they look fondly on their time as company drivers, they knew that driving for another company wasn’t in the cards, so Jean started looking into being an owner-operator.

During our conversation, she made it clear that weighing all the information and requirements was “overwhelming” at first. It wasn’t until she found Panther Premium Logistics (a service of ArcBest) and they pointed her to ES that everything started to fall into place.

While there is always risk in starting your own business, Jean and David recognized that ES could help fill in the gaps as they started this new chapter of their lives. Both light up when anyone mentions ES, because to the Cryers “ES is more than a financier, but also someone we hire to take care of our business.”

In their short time with ES, their business has flourished, and become a family affair. While they run the freight, their daughter serves as an accountant, and their son is already looking forward to joining the family business. For the Cryers the future is bright, and we are excited to be part of their story.

We are proud to have Jean and David Cryer as part of the ES Community and are delighted to continue supporting them in their Success in Trucking.

Jean & David Cryer

In this edition of the Success In Trucking Podcast, we get to know Jean and David Cryer. You’ll hear how they found the trucking industry through a suggestion by their daughter. You’ll also hear how they became a part of the ES Community by discovering the opportunities available through the non-traditional lease-purchase program from ES and Panther Premium Logistics (a service of ArcBest).

If you’re inspired by Jean and David’s story and want to grow your trucking business, contact the ES team or call (877) 349-9303, option 4 and let us help support your company with expertise in financial services and technology, relationship lending, and general business support.

2023 Expedite Expo Recap & Highlights

August 16, 2023

Once again, Fort Wayne, IN and the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum played host to the annual Expedite Expo. Year after year the Expo has grown to be a must attend event for fleet owners, owner-operators, vendors, and the ES Community, and this year was no exception.

The two-day expedite focused event provided endless opportunities for those in the expedite community to connect, share, learn, and grow with one another.

Expediter Services (ES) was the presenting sponsor, and team members from multiple departments within our organization were in the building swapping stories with old friends, meeting new ones, and sharing the many ES programs and advantages.

As the event wrapped up, our team had a chance to reflect on all the highlights, insights, and more.

Picking and choosing key moments from a great event is never easy, because as Jeff Tacker, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Commercial Officer for ES put it – “when you are spending time with your partners and your friends, everything is a highlight.”

There were, however, multiple workshops, panels, and events within the event that stood out. Here are some key takeaways from the 2023 Expedite Expo.

IN-SITE Dinner

Year in and year out, the annual IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo is the one of the biggest highlights for both the ES team, our community members, and the vendor partners within our network. This year’s dinner was one of the largest in recent years with 170 VIPs from the expedite community in attendance.

In addition to the fleet owners, owner-operators, and ES Community members we were also joined by several partners including FedEx Custom Critical, Panther Premium Logistics (a service of ArcBest), Ascent Global Logistics, and Stoops Freightliner.

As with years past, the dinner provided leaders from ES an opportunity to acknowledge and thank all the men and women that make up our amazing community. During the event, Jason Williams, ES President and CEO, took to the stage to discuss what the future holds for our corner of the expediting industry.

Progress through partnership was the centerpiece of Jason’s message, which was highlighted by the announcement of a new offering to the ES Community. To improve the lives of our community members, Jason announced the addition of a health insurance marketplace, found at ESHealthPlans.com, to the ever-growing number of advantages available when partnering with ES.

If you couldn’t attend this year’s event, Jason’s message as well as insights from guest speaker Leah Shaver, are available on-demand.

The Importance of Proper Partnership Workshop

It’s hard to beat an amazing event like the IN-SITE Dinner, but Saturday morning’s workshop with ES Community members DeShawn Henry and Russell Jones, gave it a run for its money. The dynamic duo that was recently part of our Success In Trucking Podcast, hosted one of the most engaging breakout sessions of the weekend.

Over the course of 30 minutes, DeShawn and Russell told their story, had some laughs, and brought a unique perspective that only someone whose business is trucking can. From DeShawn accidentally leaving her trainer at a truck stop to the challenges of being new to the industry, they provided an unfiltered discussion of what it takes to be successful in expediting.

You can catch their full conversation below.

Industry Expert Interviews and Podcast

The Expo is the only event that is solely focused on the expediting side of trucking. Because of this, each year it provides unfettered access to grow & learn from industry experts, and we took full advantage of the experts in attendance. You can see their video interviews below and listen to podcast episodes that outline ES programs and services on the Success In Trucking Podcast.

Jason Williams – President & CEO of Expediter Services (ES)

DeShawn Henry & Russell Jones – Members of the ES Community

David King – Business Development for ESHealthPlans.com

Colton Lawrence – CFO and Founder of The Trucker CFO

For those within our community that were able to attend, thank you for your continued support! For those that weren’t able to make it, we hope that you join the ES team for future events.

Stay tuned for more exciting news and information from the ES team, including upcoming events and ways to connect.

If you have any questions about the information shared at the Expedite Expo or how ES can support you on your way to Success In Trucking, you can contact the ES team with your questions or call (877) 349-9303.

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