ES is counting down to the return of the Expedite Expo July 16-17 in Fort Wayne, Ind. As we noted in our most recent Spotlight News feature, Expediter Services will be serving as the presenting sponsor of the Expedite Expo. As always, the event is being hosted by On Time Media. The 2021 edition of the Expedite Expo will be held at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Conference Center in Fort Wayne, and the return of the event will mark a milestone as the Expedite Expo will be celebrating its 20th anniversary.
ES will be highly visible at this year’s Expo. ES will occupy the largest booth at the show, which will be located center stage on the main floor. In addition, ES will be featured at a second booth within the exhibit hall that will be dedicated to truck sales. ES will also be hosting the largest event during the 20th annual Expedite Expo when the company holds its IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo.
As ES prepares to make the trip to Fort Wayne in mid-July, the Success In Trucking Podcast Powered by ES has recorded a series of interviews with members of the ES Team. In this edition of Spotlight News, we are featuring an interview with Jeff Tacker, the Chief Operating Officer at ES. Jeff also serves as the Chief Commercial Officer for the company.
How To Attend The Expedite Expo & The IN-SITE Dinner At The Expo:
During the podcast interview, Jeff noted the company’s plans for the IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo. For anyone thinking about attending this year’s Expedite Expo, ES is currently taking reservations for the IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo. If you are interested in attending, here are the key details:
Taking place on Friday, July 16, the IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo offers a unique opportunity for all current and prospective qualified contractors attending the Expo.This special IN-SITE event from ES begins with the doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and dinner being served beginning at 5:00 in Banquet Room B inside the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Conference Center. Courtesy of ES, the IN-SITE at the Expo Dinner is free to all attendees of the event, and the ES Team has planned a terrific menu for the meal.
The IN-SITE event at the Expo provides attendees with an informal setting where they can get to know members of the ES team, hear informative updates on the latest trends in trucking while getting an introduction to the programs available through ES. Attendees at the IN-SITE Dinner in Fort Wayne will hear an overview of the truck ownership opportunities offered through ES with financing at competitive market rates.
Those in attendance at the dinner will also learn about the strong nationwide fuel network within the ES Community, featuring some of the largest discounts in the industry along with information on other savings opportunities and the business services that ES has provided for more than a decade.
The IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo is a free event with a buffet-style dinner, featuring a fun and informative program. The IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo is open to all current and prospective qualified contractors. Anyone interested in attending the IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo can contact Expediter Services for more information and to make reservations for the dinner event. The toll-free number for Expediter Services is 877-349-9303. All those interested in attending the IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo, please click here to register.
Anyone interested in attending the Expedite Expo can learn more by going to the registration page on the event’s website, https://www.expediteexpo.com/attend/registration-main/. Registration for the Expedite Expo is free.
As the presenting sponsor of the Expedite Expo, Expediter Services (ES) will be highly visible at this year’s event. ES will also be hosting the IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo, a special event that will look at current conditions in the trucking industry and the opportunities offered through ES.
ES is pleased to be serving as the presenting sponsor for the return of the Expedite Expo, which will be held July 16-17 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Hosted by On Time Media, the Expedite Expo, which was unable to take place in 2020 due to the global pandemic, is the largest trade show of its kind, bringing together expediters from across North America. The Expo offers a platform for attendees to learn about career opportunities, the latest advancements in equipment as well as products geared specifically for owner-operators, contractors and drivers of medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks.
The 2021 edition of the Expedite Expo will be held at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Conference Center in Fort Wayne, and the return of the event will mark a milestone as the Expedite Expo will be celebrating its 20th anniversary.
“The Expedite Expo has always been an important event for ES because it directly connects with our company’s roots in the expedited sector. This year’s Expo will definitely be special for all of us at ES. We are looking forward to the opportunities that we will have to make in-person connections with the people coming to an event that has become a tradition within expedite,” said Jeff Tacker, Chief Operating Officer of ES. “The Expedite Expo is the perfect size for exhibitors and attendees, and Expediter Services is thrilled to once again be the title sponsor for an event that will be marking its 20th anniversary.
“One of the benefits that we see with the return of the Expedite Expo and our IN-SITE Dinner is that it will give us the chance to talk about the unrivaled advantages that ES brings to the market.” ~ Jeff Tacker, Chief Operating Officer of ES
“On Time Media has done a great job over the years with the development of an event that has valuable programming for professional contract drivers, owner-operators, fleet owners, expedited carriers and the supporting services offered within our industry,” added Tacker, who also serves as the Chief Commercial Officer for ES.
As the presenting sponsor of the Expedite Expo, ES will be highly visible, occuping the largest booth at the show, which will be located center stage on the main floor. In addition, ES will be featured at a second booth within the exhibit hall that will be dedicated to ES Truck Sales. ES will also be hosting the largest event during the Expedite Expo when the company holds its IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo.
Taking place on Friday, July 16, the IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo offers a unique opportunity for all current and prospective qualified contractors attending the Expo. This special IN-SITE event from ES begins with the doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and dinner being served beginning at 5:00 in Banquet Room B inside the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Conference Center. Courtesy of ES, the IN-SITE at the Expo Dinner is free to all attendees of the event, and the ES Team has planned a terrific menu for the meal. Space limited and registration is required.Register to attend the IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo by calling Expediter Services at 877-349-9303 or click here to register.
The IN-SITE event at the Expo provides attendees with an informal setting where they can get to know members of the ES team, hear informative updates on the latest trends in trucking while getting an introduction to the programs available through ES. Attendees at the IN-SITE Dinner in Fort Wayne will hear an overview of the truck ownership opportunities offered through ES with financing at competitive market rates.
Those in attendance at the dinner will also learn about the strong nationwide fuel network within the ES Community, featuring some of the largest discounts in the industry along with information on other savings opportunities and the business services that ES has provided for more than a decade.
“One of the benefits that we see with the return of the Expedite Expo and our IN-SITE Dinner is that it will give us the chance to talk about the unrivaled advantages that ES brings to the market for owner-operators, independent contractors and fleet owners who are part of where the rubber meets the road in the expedited sector. We have a comprehensive set of programs and offerings that can pave the way for greater levels of success in trucking,” said Tacker. “Most importantly, the 20th anniversary of the Expedite Expo will provide our ES Team with the opportunity to reconnect with people in the expedite community.
“Over the years, we have deeply valued the time we are able to spend getting to know people who have visited our booth at the Expedite Expo. We also are very appreciative of everyone who has joined us for the dinners that we’ve held in past years,” added Tacker. “I can tell you that we can trace many of the relationships that ES has built over the years in expedite back to a first meeting that happened during the Expedite Expo. If you have an interest in expediting and you want to explore opportunities for ownership in trucking, the Expedite Expo is definitely worth your time and the trip to Fort Wayne.”
How To Attend The Expedite Expo & The IN-SITE Dinner At The Expo:
Anyone interested in attending the Expedite Expo can learn more by going to the registration page. Registration for the Expedite Expo is free.
The IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo is a free event with a buffet-style dinner, featuring a fun and informative program. The IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo is open to all current and prospective qualified contractors. Space limited and registration is required. Register to attend the IN-SITE Dinner at the Expo by calling Expediter Services at 877-349-9303 orclick here to register.
ES received a great response to the live presentation of the company’s May 26th free webinar event, entitled “Start Your Own Trucking Business: Connecting Dispatch With YOU!,” Were you one of the many professional drivers who joined ES for the latest webinar in the IN-SITE 2021 Online Series? If you missed the live webinar, ES has you covered by providing access to an on-demand replay of the webinar.
Start Your Own Trucking Business: Connecting Dispatch With YOU!featured a panel discussion exploring the comprehensive support and the services trucking business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs receive as part of the ES Community. Through this webinar, ES is focusing on the importance and value of strong operational support for owner-operators, independent contractors and fleet owners. The free event is the fourth webinar of the company’s IN-SITE 2021 Online Series.
On-demand viewers of the webinar will have an opportunity to learn about the programs and support systems ES has established for its ES Community Members, backing the company’s motto that “You will Never Stand Alone with ES.”Click here to access this free webinar replay.
The panel discussion for this edition of the IN-SITE 2021 webinar series is being moderated by Leah Shaver, the President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI). Founded in 1995, NTI has earned the reputation as a leader in the trucking industry for tracking company driver and owner-operator compensation history, changes and benchmarks. Shaver, who also serves as a host on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Radio Channel 146, leads the discussion in the style of a fireside chat.
The webinar panel features two members of the Services Coordinator team at ES, Senior Service Coordinator Patrick Bertrand and Service Coordinator Lee Burkhalter.Webinar attendees will learn first-hand how Bertrand and Burkhalter work to successfully bridge the gap between dispatch and the driver, allowing business owners to focus on generating profits rather than being slowed down by typical day-to-day issues.
Bertrand has more than 20 years of experience in the trucking industry, working in operations and other areas of the industry, while Burkhalter, prior to taking his current position with ES in 2015, has experience with establishing his own trucking business as a fleet owner. During that time, Burkhalter utilized the advantages offered through the ES Community.
As part of the discussion of the comprehensive offerings from ES, David Withers, the Senior Director of Operations at ES, is also a part of the webinar panel. On-demand webinar viewers will hear Withers share details on the ES philosophy and approach to working with the owner-operators, independent contractors and fleet owners within the ES Community. Withers also takes time during the webinar to explain how ES helps to best position ES Community Members for success in trucking.
We invite you to spend time with ES for the on-demand edition of Start Your Own Trucking Business: Connecting Dispatch With YOU! On-demand access to the latest webinar in the IN-SITE 2021 Online Series is available by clicking here.
ES is proud to have Stoops Freightliner serve as the Title Sponsor for the IN-SITE 2021 Series.
The May 26th live webinar event, entitled “Start Your Own Trucking Business: Connecting Dispatch With YOU!,” will be a panel discussion exploring the comprehensive support and the services trucking business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs receive as part of the ES Community.
ES will be presenting a webinar focusing on the importance and value of strong operational support for owner-operators, independent contractors and fleet owners.The live, free event will be the fourth webinar of the company’s IN-SITE 2021 Online Series. The live webinar will take place on Wednesday, May 26, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Replays of the webinar will be available online following the conclusion of the live presentation.
Entitled “Start Your Own Trucking Business: Connecting Dispatch With YOU!,” this edition of the INSITE 2021 Online Series will be a panel discussion exploring the comprehensive support and the services trucking business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs receive as part of the ES Community. During the webinar, attendees will have an opportunity to learn about the programs and support systems ES has established for its ES Community Members, backing the company’s motto that “You will Never Stand Alone with ES.” The live event and access to the replay are free to anyone who is interested in attending the webinar.
The panel discussion for this edition of the IN-SITE 2021 webinar series will be moderated by Leah Shaver, the President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI). Founded in 1995, NTI has earned the reputation as a leader in the trucking industry for tracking company driver and owner-operator compensation history, changes and benchmarks. Shaver, who also serves as a host on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Radio Channel 146, will be leading the discussion in the style of a fireside chat.
The webinar panel will feature two members of the Services Coordinator team at ES, Senior Service Coordinator Patrick Bertrand and Service Coordinator Lee Burkhalter. Webinar attendees will learn first-hand how Bertrand and Burkhalter work to successfully bridge the gap between dispatch and the driver, allowing business owners to focus on generating profits rather than being slowed down by typical day-to-day issues. Bertrand has more than 20 years of experience in the trucking industry, working in operations and other areas of the industry, while Burkhalter, prior to taking his current position with ES in 2015, has experience with establishing his own trucking business as a fleet owner. During that time, Burkhalter utilized the advantages offered through the ES Community.
As part of the discussion of the comprehensive offerings from ES, David Withers, the Senior Director of Operations at ES, will also be joining the webinar panel. Withers will be sharing details on the ES philosophy and approach to working with the owner-operators, independent contractors and fleet owners within the ES Community. Withers will also explain how ES helps to best position ES Community Members for success in trucking.
“From our earliest days when we began working with owner-operators, independent contractors and fleet owners 15 years ago, our team at ES immediately recognized the numerous challenges trucking business owners face in this industry. Through the years, we have worked to build strong programs and support systems that have been specifically designed to help trucking business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to establish themselves and grow,” said ES President Jason Williams. “Through this edition of our IN-SITE 2021, we wanted to take the opportunity to share with the industry how we take a comprehensive approach in supporting professional drivers and their businesses.During this webinar, you’ll have the opportunity to hear the level of care and support that ES provides on behalf of every ES Community Member, walking with you every step of way to make sure that you Never Stand Alone.”
Attendees of this webinar will hear details on how ES delivers a host of advantages, including carrier advocacy, that can assist members of the ES Community with their business operations.
We invite you to join us for Start Your Own Trucking Business: Connecting Dispatch With YOU! The live edition of the webinar takes place Wednesday, May 26, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Register now for the live webinar and have access to the replay.
ES is proud to have Stoops Freightliner serve as the Title Sponsor for the IN-SITE 2021 Series.
Did you happen to catch the latest webinar in the ES IN-SITE 2021 online series? The live, free event event took place on April 28th, and it featured the latest in our series of webinars highlighting the partner motor carriers within the ES Community. Forward Air was the partner motor carrier in the spotlight during this edition of the IN-SITE 2021’s Start Your Own Trucking Business: Where The Rubber Meets The Road Series.
If you missed the live event, you can still view an on-demand replay of this free webinar. Like those who attended the live event, everyone watching the replay of the webinar will see a discussion that focuses on the key considerations owner-operators, independent contractors and aspiring entrepreneurs should review during the carrier recruiting process.
To watch the on-demand replay of our latest webinar, please click here.
Justin Ault, a manager on the ground floor of over-the-road recruiting with Forward Air, was featured on our expert panel as we highlighted the opportunities available through Forward Air and ES.Justin is joined on the panel by Meghan Turner, the Director of Recruiting for Expediter Services. The on-demand replay audience will hear the commitment by ES and Forward Air to position the members of the ES Community for real success in trucking when the rubber meets the road.
The panel discussion was moderated by Leah Shaver, the President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI). Founded in 1995, NTI has earned the reputation as a leader in the trucking industry for tracking company driver and owner-operator compensation history, changes and benchmarks. Leah, who also serves as a host on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Radio Channel 146, led the discussion in the style of a fireside chat.
Nothing illustrates the opportunities offered by ES and Forward Air better than those who have experienced the benefits of being part of the ES Community, and this webinar offered the opportunity for attendees to hear the success story of Briana and Virgil Bruning. Briana and Virgil are one of the many driving teams that have utilized the programs available from ES and Forward Air to build a strong business, enabling them to find their success in trucking.
Attendees to this webinar have the opportunity to learn how ES and Forward Air have partnered to create a simple and straightforward way to be your own boss.
We invite you to join us and watch the on-demand replay of Start Your Own Trucking Business: Where The Rubber Meets The Road – Spotlighting Forward Air. To watch the on-demand replay of our latest webinar, please click here.
ES is proud to have Stoops Freightliner serve as the Title Sponsor for the IN-SITE 2021 Series.
Expert Panel
Leah Shaver
President & CEO
National Transportation Institute
Justin Ault
Capacity Development Manager - Over-The-Road-Fleet
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 2:00 PM EDT (1:00 PM CDT)
Would you like to learn more about the opportunities available through ES? We have an event coming up at the end of April that’s a perfect fit for the schedules of professional drivers who are looking for a proven path for launching and then successfully operating your own trucking business.
On Wednesday, April 28th, ES will be continuing our series of webinars highlighting the partner motor carriers within the ES Community. Forward Air will be the next motor carrier in the spotlight during IN-SITE 2021’s Start Your Own Trucking Business Where The Rubber Meets The Road Series. As we will do with all our motor carrier spotlights, this webinar will be focused on the key considerations owner-operators, independent contractors and aspiring entrepreneurs should review during the carrier recruiting process.
This free webinar event will be broadcast live online at 2:00 p.m. EDT on April 28th. For those who are not able to participate in the live event, ES will have a recording of the live event that will be available for on-demand viewing, To register for either the live event or on-demand replay, please click here.
Justin Ault, a manager on the ground floor of over-the-road recruiting with Forward Air, will be featured on our expert panel along with a member of the recruiting team at ES. Justin will be joined by Meghan Turner from Expediter Services. Meghan serves as the Director of Recruiting for the company. Among the topics discussed by the panel will be the commitment by ES and Forward Air to position the members of the ES Community for real success in trucking when the rubber meets the road.
The webinar will be a panel discussion moderated by Leah Shaver, the President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI). Founded in 1995, NTI has earned the reputation as a leader in the trucking industry for tracking company driver and owner-operator compensation history, changes and benchmarks. Leah, who also serves as a host on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Radio Channel 146, will be leading the discussion in the style of a fireside chat.
Nothing illustrates the opportunities offered by ES and Forward Air better than those who have experienced the benefits of being part of the ES Community. During this webinar, you’ll hear perspectives from Briana and Virgil Bruning, one of the many driving teams who have utilized the programs available from ES and Forward Air to build a strong business, enabling them to find their success in trucking.
Attendees to this webinar will learn how ES and Forward Air have partnered to create a simple and straightforward way to be your own boss.
We invite you to join us for Start Your Own Trucking Business: Where The Rubber Meets The Road – Spotlighting Forward Air. The live edition of the webinar takes place Wednesday, April 28th, at 2 P.M. EDT. Register now for the live webinar and have access to the replay.
ES is proud to have Stoops Freightliner serve as the Title Sponsor for the IN-SITE 2021 Series.
Expert Panel
Leah Shaver
President & CEO
National Transportation Institute
Justin Ault
Capacity Development Manager - Over-The-Road-Fleet
Earlier this year, Spotlight News introduced our readers to Ken and Jessica Horn, long-time veterans of the trucking industry who were searching for a fresh start as owner-operators when they connected with ES. This week, Spotlight News is providing an update to the Horns’ story through a recent interview that is being featured on the IN-SITE 2021 Podcast Series.
On the podcast, you will hear directly from Jessica and Ken about their experience as part of the ES Community since they were first contacted by ES Director of Recruiting Meghan Turner. The Horns had been referred to ES by Forward Air, and Meghan encouraged Ken and Jessica to enter the ES Path To Ownership (PTO) program.
As part of the PTO program, the Horns were able to rent a truck from ES and drive as independent contractors in the Forward Air fleet. As you’ll hear in the podcast, the PTO program gave Ken and Jessica the opportunity to get to know the support team at ES and the wide scope of services that can be accessed as part of the ES Community. Most importantly, the PTO program allowed the Horns to demonstrate to themselves and to ES that they could be successful running a business operation while out on the road.
In October of 2020, the Horns felt ready to take the next step within the ES Community and become truck owners. In February, Jessica and Ken shared part of their personal story of their introduction to the ES Community during our first webinar in the IN-SITE 2021 Series, Start Your Own Trucking Business: Why Now Is The Time & This Is The Place.
During this edition of the IN-SITE 2021 Podcast Series, we had the opportunity to have a deeper conversation with Ken and Jessica. In this podcast, you’ll hear how pursuing the opportunity with ES has truly improved the lives of two trucking industry veterans who have nearly 50 years of combined experience on the road.
“There’s nothing out there in this industry like the program ES has put together. ES has dotted all the I’s and crossed all the T’s to provide you with a plan and the kind of support that you need to make sure that you are successful.” ~ Jessica Horn
As Jessica shares during the podcast on what she now tells fellow professional drivers who ask about the programs available from ES, “Quite frankly, you need to look at what ES has to offer. If you are someone who has ever had a thought about owning your own truck, you need to talk with ES. Ken and I have been out here a long time, and we’ve been a part of other programs that offer the opportunity to become an owner-operator. Like a lot of people in this industry, we struggled hard in those programs. ES is totally different. ES has your back and they stand beside you from the first day in their program. There’s nothing out there in this industry like the program ES has put together. ES has dotted all the I’s and crossed all the T’s to provide you with a plan and the kind of support that you need to make sure that you are successful.”
COMING SOON: Next IN-SITE Edition of the IN-SITE 2021 Webinar Series
On Wednesday, April 28th, ES will be continuing our series of webinars highlighting the partner motor carriers within the ES Community. Forward Air will be the next motor carrier in the spotlight during IN-SITE 2021’s Start Your Own Trucking Business Where The Rubber Meets The RoadSeries. As we will do with all our motor carrier spotlights, this webinar will be focused on the key considerations owner-operators, independent contractors and aspiring entrepreneurs should review during the carrier recruiting process.
Justin Ault, a manager on the ground floor of fleet recruiting with Forward Air, will be featured on our expert panel along with members of the recruiting team at ES. Among the topics discussed by the panel will be the commitment by ES and Forward Air to position the members of the ES Community for real success in trucking when the rubber meets the road. Our panel will include the driving team of owner-operators who, like the Horns, went through the ES PTO Program.
We will have more details coming your way very soon about this free webinar event. If you would like to register to join us for the live webinar or to catch the replays on demand, please click here.
Did you catch our latest live webinar event highlighting the opportunities with one of our partner carriers in the ES Community?
During our March 24th webinar, ES placed the spotlight on Panther Premium Logistics, a Service of ArcBest. The replay of our IN-SITE 2021 Start Your Own Trucking Business: Where The Rubber Meets The Road Series is now available for you to access on demand. We have made it where you can watch the webinar on your schedule.
While highlighting the opportunities available through Panther Premium and how you can get started on your path to truck ownership with ES, this edition of our webinar series focused on the key considerations owner-operators, independent contractors and aspiring entrepreneurs should review during the carrier recruiting process.
Cory Robertson, a manager on the ground floor of fleet recruiting with Panther Premium Logistics, served on our expert panel. Cory was joined on the panel by David Withers and Meghan Turner from Expediter Services. Withers is the Senior Director of Operations for ES, while Meghan serves as the Director of Recruiting for the company.
The panel discussion for this edition of the IN-SITE 2021 webinar series was moderated by Leah Shaver, the President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI). Founded in 1995, NTI has earned the reputation as a leader in the trucking industry for tracking company driver and owner-operator compensation history, changes and benchmarks.
Leah also serves as a host on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Radio Channel 146, and she put her on-air expertise to work in leading a very interesting and informative discussion. One of the points viewers of the webinar will hear in detail is the commitment by ES and Panther Premium Logistics to position the members of the ES Community for real success in trucking when the rubber meets the road.
By watching this webinar, you will learn how ES and Panther Premium Logistics have partnered to create a simple and straightforward way to be your own boss. The panel discussion will include details on the following:
How the expedited driving opportunities are available for both tractors or straight trucks through Panther.
How Panther works with solo, team and dedicated driving opportunities.
How Panther utilizes the ES Path To Ownership Plan within its fleet.
How ES has helped more than 250 drivers, including more than 100 women, to become owner-operators within the Panther fleet during the past 18 months.
How Panther established a program that allows new entrants to the industry to move from straight trucks to tractors.
How becoming an owner-operator has never been easier when working with the programs offered by Panther Premium and ES.
How entrants into the ES Path To Ownership (PTO) program have the opportunity to start driving with Panther in as little as 14 days – regardless of a program participant’s credit standing.
ES is proud to have Stoops Freightliner serve as the Title Sponsor for the IN-SITE 2021 Series.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021 2:00 PM EDT (1:00 PM CDT)
With this edition of the IN-SITE 2021 series from Expediter Services, we are going to begin a series of webinars highlighting the partner motor carriers within the ES Community. Panther Premium Logistics, a Service of ArcBest, will be the first motor carrier in the spotlight during IN-SITE 2021’s Start Your Own Trucking Business Where The Rubber Meets The Road Series. As we will do with all our motor carrier spotlights, this webinar will be focused on the key considerations owner-operators, independent contractors and aspiring entrepreneurs should review during the carrier recruiting process.
Cory Robertson, a manager on the ground floor of fleet recruiting with Panther Premium Logistics, will be featured on our expert panel along with members of the recruiting team at ES.Among the topics discussed by the panel will be the commitment by ES and Panther to position the members of the ES Community for real success in trucking when the rubber meets the road. This webinar will be a panel discussion moderated by Leah Shaver, the President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI). Founded in 1995, NTI has earned the reputation as a leader in the trucking industry for tracking company driver and owner-operator compensation history, changes and benchmarks. Leah, who also serves as a host on SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking Radio Channel 146, will be leading the discussion in the style of a fireside chat.
Attendees to this webinar will learn how ES and Panther Premium Logistics have partnered to create a simple and straightforward way to be your own boss. The panel discussion will include details on the following:
How the expedited driving opportunities are available for both tractors or straight trucks through Panther.
How Panther works with solo, team and dedicated driving opportunities.
How Panther utilizes the ES Path To Ownership Plan within its fleet.
How ES has helped more than 250 drivers, including more than 100 women, to become owner-operators within the Panther fleet during the past 18 months.
How Panther established a program that allows new entrants to the industry to move from straight trucks to tractors.
How becoming an owner-operator has never been easier when working with the programs offered by Panther Premium and ES.
How entrants into the ES Path To Ownership (PTO) program have the opportunity to start driving with Panther in as little as 14 days – regardless of a program participant’s credit standing.
When Ken and Jessica Horn made their run to the Stoops Freightliner dealership in Fort Wayne last October, the trip to Indiana represented a very important milestone in the journey they have taken within the ES Community. In their eyes, those final miles covered in going to the dealership truly held the key to their future success in trucking.
Ken and Jessica were comfortable and confident when they arrived at Stoops, where they were greeted by Nate Meyer from the company’s equipment sales team. Nate, the Stoops team, and everyone connected with the Path To Ownership (PTO) program at ES had been working with Ken and Jessica on all the details related to their life-changing purchase. It had been a careful and thoughtful process for Ken and Jessica. Over the previous 10 months, the Horns had taken the time to learn about the full range of services and support available to the ES Community through the PTO program.
Ken and Jessica had also taken the time to get to know ES as they ran as owner operators within the Forward Air Fleet. Meanwhile, the ES team had an opportunity to learn about the Horns and how they handled the demands of running a business while being on the road in the trucking industry. All the miles that had been covered in the PTO program before Nate handed off the keys to the Horn’s new 2021 Freightliner Cascadia had paid off. The relationships had been established and trust had been formed.
“I am really glad that we were able to take our time with the ES PTO program. The 10 months we spent in one of the trucks that ES has with Forward Air allowed us to learn about ES and everything they have in place to help you succeed as independent contractors, explained Jessica. “By the time we got our keys, we were ready to take the next step into equipment ownership. We knew that we could trust ES, and ES knew that they could trust us.”
In looking back at the events that began turning the ignition on a new career path, a call to Forward Air by the Horns to ask about opportunities for owner-operators put the process in motion.
The Horns had reached a point of transition in their trucking careers. They had been a top-running team for their previous motor carrier while driving a series of lease-purchase trucks during an 11-year stretch. Quite frankly at this point in their careers, Ken and Jessica were in search of an owner-operator program that could deliver more to them when they called Forward Air. Fortunately, for Ken and Jessica, the call to Forward Air led to a referral and then a call from the ES Recruiting Department.
“ES respects us as business owners, and they have put everything in place that you need to have to be successful in trucking with a network of services and great support.” ~ Ken & Jessica Horn
Forward Air had always been a company that looked interesting to Ken and Jessica, and it ranked as the top choice on their contact list. In many ways, it was fitting that their call to Forward Air ultimately represented a key moment in determining the Horns’ future career path. When looking back at their time in trucking, the Horns have always been able to find the keys – from the ones you hold that open a locked door and start a truck to the ones that point you to some of life’s most important opportunities.
“Ken and I actually met because I had locked my only set of keys in my truck. We were at a truck stop, and Ken could see we drove for the same company. He wanted to know what was going on and if he could help,” recalled Jessica. “The locksmith had told me it was going to be at least a two-hour wait, and Ken asked if I could try his key in the lock. His key actually unlocked my truck and we were both amazed.”
That moment with Jessica’s truck started a conversation in which they learned they had a great deal in common – including living fairly close to each other in Alabama. Not long after Ken and Jessica first met, they were married and driving as a team.
“When Meghan first talked to us, we didn’t know about ES and how ES works with Forward Air,” recalled Jessica. “Meghan was able to answer all our questions and kept in touch with us. She gave us the time and space we needed to make a decision, and we are thrilled with the choice we have made in going through ES. We have all the support we need, and I can’t say enough about what Lee Burkhalter, our service coordinator from ES, has done for us. We appreciate the fact that Lee and everyone at ES are committed to our success.”
“Jessica and I have both been in the trucking industry for more than 25 years. We have seen a lot in that time,” observed Ken. “We learned first-hand that ES has a great program. ES respects us as business owners, and they have put everything in place that you need to have to be successful in trucking with a network of services and great support. We’ve got the keys to a truck that is our own, and we love our new truck. I wish I had known about ES years ago.”
Recalling the time she first met Ken standing outside of a locked truck years ago, Jessica made a special request of Nate before the Horns met him at Stoops in Fort Wayne to pick up their truck.
“I asked Nate if it would be possible to get two sets of keys to our new truck,” related Jessica. “I didn’t want to take a chance on ever being locked out again. And, just like the way that ES covers every detail, Nate remembered what I asked him. When he gave us the keys, there were two sets. That kind of service and support, with people who really listen to you, is what we’ve come to expect from ES and everyone in the ES Community. Looking back at where we’ve gone with ES and Forward Air, we are glad we made the call that we did.”
