Drive

It’s no secret why Indiana is called “The Crossroads of the World,” and today’s episode celebrates not only the state’s role in the transportation industry but also the latest initiatives that could affect your routes, your loads, and put you on the fast lane to growth opportunities.

Vincent Ash is the Chief of Staff at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). In this episode, he talks with Zac and Chelsea about how their team navigates the roadways of innovation and infrastructure to bring better movement in the transportation industry. He sheds light on three hot topics: The Future of Mobility Campaign revving Indiana's tech and transport scene, the strategic partnerships fueling advancements in AI and hydrogen engines, and the infrastructure upgrades paving the way for smoother rides. Vincent spotlights how these initiatives can open new horizons for truckers and blue-collar heroes like you. Get ready to be part of Indiana's bold journey under the banner "Indiana for the bold," and find out how to secure your spot in the driver's seat of progress.

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• About Indiana's booming business opportunities, including their $28.7B in investments in 2023 to drive the economy forward, enabling the state to be number one for manufacturing jobs, number one for manufacturing output, and the number one state to start a business. 

• How the Future of Mobility program is pouring resources into a focus on innovative infrastructure, AI testing, and autonomous vehicles, and how these cutting-edge projects ensure your skills stay relevant.

• About Indiana's efficient highway system and its competitive advantage in logistics owing to its location.

Resources:

• Connect with Vincent Ash on LinkedIn

• Check out the IEDC

More info on the Future of Mobility Program

It’s time to dispel myths and spread the word about the often unseen contributions of women in trucking.

And Jennifer Hedrick, President and CEO of Women in Trucking Association, is doing just that.

In this episode, Zac and Chelsea talk with Jennifer about the incredible strides Women in Trucking has made in the industry since 2007, now boasting over 8,000 members. They’ll dive into their remarkable events, like the CDL holders' celebration, and the prestigious Driver of the Year award sponsored by Walmart, and also discuss the WIT Index, the educational initiatives such as the Whitney trailer program aimed at attracting talent and the ways Women in Trucking is pushing for greater policy support.

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• About the association's award programs, such as 'Driver of the Year,' and how individuals can nominate women in trucking for various awards through their website.

• The initiatives and programs Women in Trucking is developing, like the Wit Index, which measures women's roles and their percentage within the profession, and DEI initiatives.

• How to attract and retain talent in the trucking industry.

Resources:

• Connect with Jennifer through LinkedIn

• Check out Women in Trucking

No one generally talks about the paperwork and details you need to manage as a trucker, and sometimes that can be burdensome and not efficient. Jeff Davison, CEO & Founder of Freight Mate has taken this pain point and created a solution - with you in mind.

In this episode, Zac and Chelsea talk with Jeff about his innovative app, a freight management solution that harnesses the power of AI to streamline and enhance daily operations for owner operators and fleet managers.. A seasoned veteran with over a decade of experience in the trucking industry, Jeff unpacks crucial topics like how Freight Mate's new invoicing feature is accelerating cash flow for drivers, the importance of transparency and efficiency in payroll, and the exciting future of AI in aiding decisions about loads, fuel costs, and those dreaded layovers. 

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• How Freight Mate slashes invoice processing from a week down to minutes, immediately boosting cash flow for diligent drivers.

• How Freight Mate route planning and live navigation guidance prioritize driver safety and ensure a smooth sail across the miles.

• About Freight Mate's relentless pursuit of sorting out the payroll puzzle, securing spot-on settlements for the hardworking folks behind the wheel.

Resources:

• Connect with Jeff through LinkedIn

Check out Freight Mate - https://www.freightmateapp.com/

2023 was a heck of a year for truckers. 

In this episode of Drive, hosts Zac and Chelsea with HandledNow break down some of the hottest topics of the year for truckers – Women in Trucking, safety & new technologies, the job market, and even driver pay reform. They also take an opportunity to look ahead at what’s in store for 2024 – in short, change is happening and necessary, and we’re here for it. 

Make sure to listen in to some of the past episodes mentioned:

• Kristy Knichel at Knichel Logistics

• Devon Stormont with Weather Route

• Keith Whann at TruckSuite

• Dean Croke at DAT iQ

New technology is emerging in the trucking industry every day. When you are an Owner Operator, it might not always be accessible. 

Enter TruckSuite, a “technology-based” innovative and comprehensive Owner Operator Support program specifically designed to offer the Owner Operator truck ownership benefits typically only available to large fleets. 

In today’s episode, HandledNow’s Chelsea Faulkner speaks to Keith Whann, direct from the Women in Trucking conference, about the launch of the TruckSuite app and its innovative features. They discuss their flagship vehicle service contract, the app's user-friendly sections for truck management, trucker health support, business resources, and its commitment to providing valuable, vetted resources for truck drivers. They also discuss the company’s mission to level the playing field for all individuals in the trucking industry and the importance of breaking down barriers for all trucking professionals.

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• How Trucksuite, a new app, is changing the game for truckers by bringing essential tools to their fingertips, improving efficiency, safety, and overall experience on the road.

• Trucksuite caters to the truck's diagnostics and prioritizes the health and well-being of the drivers, offering early detection technology, health insurance programs, and support for a healthier lifestyle.

• How Trucksuite aims to break barriers and level the playing field, empowering individual operators and small fleets to compete on an equal footing by providing access to technology, services, and opportunities previously out of reach.

Resources:

• Connect with Keith - Keith Whann’s LinkedIn

• Check out the TruckSuite App - https://trucksuite.com/ 

Feelings of missing life at home are what brought couple Melissa Cheshire and Vincent Louque on the road together. Not only are they a trucking couple, but they are also vloggers with a successful YouTube channel where they document their journey together on the road and share some of their tips on expedited driving.

In this episode, we talk to Melissa and Vincent about connecting with the trucking community and their YouTube followers, how they stay connected to their family at home, and how to lean into creativity while on a haul.

Running a Logistics company comes with many responsibilities, especially with a family-owned business.

And the key things that make a successful logistics company are open communication, servant leadership, empathy, and creating an inclusive environment.

Kristy Knichel, President and Owner of Knichel Logistics, is a powerhouse of a woman whose focus is on expanding Knichel Logistics' footprint and providing her team members with the opportunity for growth and self-improvement.

In this episode, Kristy discusses women in leadership within the logistics industry, the value of transparency and communication in your company, intermodal transportation, and the best practices that she uses at Knichel Logistics.

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• [08:30] The unique challenges and advantages of working in a family-owned logistics business.

• [17:33] The concept of servant leadership, open communication, and the importance of creating a supportive work culture.

• [23:55] An in-depth understanding of intermodal transportation.

Connect with the Kristy and Knichel Logistics:

• Kristy’s Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyknichel/

• Knichel Logistics’ website - https://www.knichellogistics.com/

Sharae Moore, Founder and President of the SHE Trucking Foundation, has made it her mission in life to lift up and empower women and minorities in underserved communities to establish and maintain successful careers in the trucking and transportation industry. 

In this episode, Sharae touches on numerous topics, from her Facebook community of over 30,000 professional women, the SHE Trucking T-shirt line, to the various roles women are venturing into within the industry. We discuss her plans to capture stories from women truck drivers in foreign lands like Ghana, the challenges women face in the industry worldwide, and more.

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• [08:52] The need for zero-tolerance policies for sexual harassment and the significance of providing maternity benefits in trucking companies. 

• [10:25] The importance of documentation in the trucking industry.

• [24:16] Sharae’s planned trip to Ghana to meet with women drivers, understand their experiences and challenges and provide a truckload of rice to feed the local community.

Connect with the Sharae and SHE Trucking:

• Sharae’s Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharae-moore-she-trucking/ 

• SHE Trucking website - https://www.shetrucking.com/ 

• SHE Trucking Facebook - @SHETruckingFoundation

• SHE Trucking Instagram - @SHETrucking

As the logistics industry is growing rapidly, it’s essential to innovate constantly.

And the key to keeping up with the fast-paced landscape is to utilize data.

Dean Croke is the Principal Analyst for DAT iQ, the freight data and analytics operation at DAT. He brings 35 years of experience in data science, supply chain management, logistics, risk management, and human performance. In this episode, Dean discusses integrating data and technology into logistics, how to create more efficiency and profitability, trucker safety, and more.

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• [12:35] The importance of implementing technology to monitor and optimize driver sleep patterns.

• [22:22] Using staffing and scheduling to improve driver well-being and efficiency.

• [30:10] The need for a cultural shift within the industry to create an open environment where drivers can openly discuss issues without fear of repercussions.

Connect with the Guest:

• Dean Croke’s LinkedIn

• DAT Freight & Analytics 

Who said trucking can only be for men?

Nobody at all.

And Kodi Wilson is breaking that stereotype.

Kodazia, AKA Kodi, is a 23 year old female trucker who was inspired by her father to get into trucking following the tragic loss of her brother. She is also an influencer and documents her truck driving experiences on TikTok and YouTube. In this episode, Kodi shares her personal story as a female trucker, overcoming stereotypes, and her valuable advice for newcomers in the industry.

 In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• [04:07] Kodi’s advice for females wanting to join the trucking industry.

• [13:28] How trucking led Kodi to begin social media.

• [19:24] Being aware on the road as a female trucker. 

Connect with the Guest:

• Kodi Wilson’s TikTok

• Kodi Wilson’s YouTube

• Kodi Wilson’s Email: [email protected]