Commercial Vehicle Pro

Fleet maintenance remains one of the most fragmented challenges in the commercial vehicle ecosystem. Between disconnected telematics platforms, siloed parts procurement, and separate repair shops, fleet managers often find themselves caught in reactive loops that lead to expensive downtime.

In Episode 225 of the Commercial Vehicle Pro Podcast, host Candy McCollum sits down with Paul Gilmore, President and Co-Founder of Slick, and Brady Gilmore, Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Technology at Slick. Together, they discuss how combining open software architecture with hands-on, on-site mobile service creates predictable uptime for commercial fleets.

Paul explains why software alone cannot fix vehicle downtime, the origin of Slick's core philosophy ("Leverage technology, win with people"), and why technicians in the field remain the most critical piece of the business. Brady breaks down the practical realities of artificial intelligence in fleet operations, explaining how Model Context Protocols (MCP) replace rigid legacy integrations and allow AI agents to coordinate data across systems without replacing human judgment.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Episode 225 with host Candy McCollum   
01:17 - The problem with fragmentation in commercial fleet maintenance   
02:40 - Why technology alone cannot solve downtime: Slick's TrueView model   
04:52 - Driver walkaround apps and closed-loop inspection data   
06:40 - "Leverage technology, win with people": The technician-first philosophy   
10:07 - Establishing clear uptime SLAs: 98% availability and transparent budgeting   
13:00 - Brady Gilmore on practical AI applications vs. marketing hype
14:04 - Model Context Protocols and eliminating rigid software integrations   
18:44 - How to safely verify and train AI on internal company data  
20:04 - Leveling the operational playing field for mid-sized fleets   
22:15 - Why real-world execution still defines commercial vehicle success

Building a thriving commercial vehicle department requires a completely different strategy than standard retail operations. In this episode of the Commercial Vehicle Pro Podcast, host Candy McCollum sits down with Amy Smith, Managing Partner & Senior Executive Recruiter at Autopeople, to explore what it really takes to recruit, onboard, and retain high-performing commercial leaders and sales teams.

Amy breaks down why commercial sales is a relationship-driven long game, why handing a retail salesperson a fleet list rarely works, and how commercial buyers prioritize fleet uptime and total cost of ownership above all else. She also shares actionable advice on cross-industry hiring, structuring scalable commercial teams, and preparing for succession planning.

"You are building a business within a business, and it's going to take work." — Amy Smith, Autopeople

Key Highlights & Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Episode 224

00:58 – Amy Smith’s path into commercial auto recruiting

04:33 – The state of commercial vehicle talent in dealerships

06:21 – Transactional vs. relationship sales: Retail vs. Commercial

11:13 – What commercial buyers actually care about (Uptime & TCO)

13:14 – What’s harder to teach: Technical specs or B2B discipline?

15:53 – Why getting the Commercial Manager role right is crucial

17:50 – Red flags and warning signs of a stalling commercial department

21:01 – Looking outside automotive for B2B sales talent

22:50 – How to structure and scale a commercial team for succession

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In Episode 223 of the Commercial Vehicle Pro Podcast, host Steve Henning sits down with Kathryn Schifferle, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Work Truck Solutions, to preview the upcoming Fall Commercial Vehicle Business Summit taking place virtually on November 4 and 5, 2026.

Kathryn shares the origins of the virtual event, why viewing the commercial vehicle market as a connected ecosystem is essential for long-term success, and how this fall's theme, "Agents of Change," focuses on practical tools, specific operational fixes, and actionable artificial intelligence.

Guest: Kathryn Schifferle (Founder and Chief Vision Officer, Work Truck Solutions)   
Host: Steve Henning (CVBNetwork)

Register for the free Fall 2026 Commercial Vehicle Business Summit: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/commercial-vehicle-business-summit-fall-2026/registration

Explore more news, podcasts, and articles at https://cvbnetwork.com.

Fleet telematics has evolved far beyond watching dots move across a map. The real opportunity comes when vehicle and asset data connects directly with the systems used to manage maintenance, job costs, dispatching and business performance.

In Episode 222, host Candy McCollum continues her conversation with Zac Hales, Vocational Business Segment Manager at Geotab. They explore how fleets can break down data silos and turn raw telemetry into useful business intelligence.

If you missed part 1, make sure to watch it here: https://youtu.be/N3B3SaIxPro

Stay tuned for Part 3, covering public-sector fleets, building a strong fleet ROI case for leadership and the future of AI in telematics.

Explore more Commercial Vehicle Pro Podcast episodes:
https://cvbnetwork.com/podcasts/

Winter doesn't wait for the first snowstorm to disrupt your fleet. Cold weather works against commercial vehicles long before snow hits the road, draining tire pressure overnight, reducing traction, and setting up costly roadside breakdowns.

In Episode 221 of the Commercial Vehicle Pro Podcast, host Candy McCollum sits down with Kristin Nyce, Senior Business E-Commerce Manager at SimpleTire, to break down the mechanics of cold-weather tire management. From busting common industry myths to explaining the real math behind PSI drops and thermal contraction, this episode provides actionable strategies to protect fleet uptime, fuel efficiency, and tire casing life.

Catching axle weight issues or payload errors after a work truck is built gets expensive fast. In this episode of the CVBNetwork Podcast, host Steve Henning sits down with Sorcha O'Grady, Chief Sales Officer at Truck Science. They discuss how pre-build software modeling helps fleets, dealers, and upfitters spec safer, compliant, and more efficient commercial vehicles before assembly begins.

Key topics covered in this episode include:
• Why staying under gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) does not guarantee your axles are legal.
• Managing state bridge formulas, side-to-side weight balance, and center of gravity.
• Real-world build mistakes that lead to fines, safety risks, and lost customer trust.
• Practical questions fleets and dealers should ask before buying a chassis.

Learn more about Truck Science software at https://truckscience.com.

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In Episode 219 of the Commercial Vehicle Pro Podcast, host Steve Henning sits down with Aaron Johnson, CEO of Work Truck Solutions, and Kathryn Schifferle, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Work Truck Solutions.

Together, they break down the findings from the Work Truck Solutions Q2 2026 Commercial Vehicle Market Analysis. The group explores how macro-economic factors like interest rates, inflation, and federal spending are influencing commercial fleet buying behaviors. They also share practical advice on how dealerships can better serve local businesses through targeted used inventory, uptime-focused service programs, and smart upfit configurations.

Key Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction & welcome
01:08 - Q2 market data highlights: New vs. used inventory trends
05:25 - Fleet replacement cycles and steady commercial demand
09:37 - Why commercial operations represent high profit margins for dealerships
13:50 - Strategies for marketing and pricing higher-mileage used trucks
17:03 - Commercial BEVs and medium-duty market developments
20:50 - Market predictions for the rest of 2026
24:18 - Closing thoughts and CVB Summit dates

Read the full report here: 
https://worktrucksolutions.com/news-and-events/q2-2026-commercial-vehicle-data-signals-key-shift-in-fleet-turnover-and-market-velocity

Read the segment highlight on Duty Classes Market Analysis, here:
https://worktrucksolutions.com/news-and-events/q2-2026-work-truck-segment-highlight-duty-classes-market-analysis

Save the Date:
The Commercial Vehicle Business Summit returns November 4–5, 2026! Registration details available at https://worktrucksolutions.com/cvbsummit

Read more and subscribe for the latest news at cvbnetwork.com

In this episode of the Commercial Vehicle Pro Podcast, host Candy McCollum sits down with Terry Williams, who leads heavy-duty sales at Work Truck Solutions and works closely with the Comvoy and Arcadium platforms.

With over three decades of experience in the heavy-duty market, Terry reflects on how he originally fell into the truck world, his early days learning the ropes in used trucks at Volvo, and why the fundamental human connection in this industry hasn't changed—even as digital tools evolve.

Terry also touches on his mentorship philosophy, his perspective as a dad shaping his leadership style, and his run for a seat on the Used Truck Association (UTA) Board of Directors for 2027.

Key Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:01 - How Terry fell into the heavy-duty truck industry 30 years ago

02:32 - Early days in used trucks, Volvo, and the birth of the UTA

05:42 - What has stayed the same in commercial trucks despite new tech

07:36 - Giving back through mentorship and running for the UTA Board

10:40 - Family values and how being a dad shapes leadership

14:07 - Why used trucks remain the backbone of class 8 sales

17:35 - UTA Board voting details and closing thoughts

Learn more about CVBNetwork and catch up on industry news: https://cvbnetwork.com

Voting Details:

Voting for the UTA Board of Directors is open to eligible UTA members through Friday, August 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern.

In Episode 217 of the Commercial Vehicle Pro Podcast, host Candy McCollum leads a panel discussion focused on female leadership, representation, and career growth in commercial transportation. Joining the conversation are four leaders from Work Truck Solutions: Kathryn Schifferle (Founder & Chief Vision Officer), Stacie Williamson (VP of Sales), Autumn Conn (Team Lead, Customer Success), and Steph Rissmiller (Product Manager).

The panel shares candid stories about entering a traditionally male-dominated field, overcoming industry assumptions, and the power of women advocating for women across the commercial vehicle ecosystem. They also discuss how servant leadership, workplace flexibility, and modern software tools help build stronger teams and serve fleet customers more effectively.

Explore more industry insights and watch past episodes on CVBNetwork, "The Toolbox for Every Commercial-Vehicle Business." Visit our website at https://cvbnetwork.com or subscribe for new releases at https://cvbnetwork.com/subscribe/.

Beyond the Dot on the Map: The Evolution of Fleet Telematics with Geotab | Ep. 216

Telematics is no longer just about tracking where your vehicles are on a map—it’s about total operational visibility.

In Episode 216 of the Commercial Vehicle Pro Podcast, host Candy McCollum is joined by Zac Hales at Geotab, to discuss the major shifts in fleet telematics. They dive deep into "edge intelligence," how Geotab's GO platform processes high-fidelity data locally at the vehicle, and the practical application of tracking both powered and non-powered assets.

Plus, learn about Geotab's exciting new acquisition of Linklabs and how it will revolutionize how fleets manage tools, cargo, and trailers to prevent job site disruption and drive real ROI.