In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Dan Doran, Director of Business Development for Diamond Transportation System Inc. 
Join them as they discuss: 

• Dan’s career journey 
• Navigating the challenges of industry deregulation
• Leading significant growth
• Embracing modernization
• How to build strong relationships
• The importance of networking

Dan Doran comes from a third-generation trucking family and has led several successful trucking companies, including Ace Doran Hauling and Rigging, C&G Transportation. He is now Director of Business Development for Diamond Transportation System Inc, where he is responsible for growth through customer additions, owner operator recruitment, and freight agent solicitation with a primary focus on the flatbed market.

Episode Highlights:
[10:40 - 16:18] Dan discusses the impact of deregulation in the trucking industry, a shift that transformed operational models. He explains how prior to deregulation, companies had to apply for transportation authorities through the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), which involved substantial expenses and procedural hurdles. Deregulation simplified this process, allowing carriers to obtain state authority with far less effort and cost. However, this shift also devalued previously expensive assets, such as authority rights, fundamentally changing the financial landscape for many trucking companies.
[28:57 - 35:12] Dan discusses how early adoption of technology, including a computerized system, played a vital role in streamlining operations at his organization. While the implementation of imaging and digital processes initially met resistance, it ultimately allowed the company to become more efficient, handling the same workload with fewer people. Although this modernization didn’t directly fuel business growth, it significantly improved operational efficiency, contributing indirectly to the company's success. This shift toward more decentralized and automated freight brokerage helped the company stay competitive in an evolving industry. 
[47:51 - 48:50] Dan stresses the critical role of networking and personal relationships in the business world, particularly for younger professionals who might lean towards a more remote or office-centric approach. He observes that many young individuals are becoming increasingly comfortable completing their tasks without engaging in face-to-face interactions. While he understands the challenges posed by busy family lives and dual-income households, he cautions against neglecting the personal connections that can arise from networking. Doran believes these relationships are not just beneficial but essential for career growth and success. He encourages professionals to prioritize networking opportunities, reminding them that building trust and rapport with others can lead to lasting partnerships and new opportunities in the industry.
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Kevin Rutherford of LetsTruck and Henry Albert of Albert Transport. 
Join them as they discuss:

• Strategies for increasing profitability
• Building relationships
• Controlling costs
• Maximizing fuel mileage
• Understanding the profitability of each load

Kevin Rutherford is the owner of LetsTruck, who provide a wide range of solutions for the challenges facing drivers. He hosts a radio show about trucking on SiriusXM satellite radio, and is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner at Destination Health. Before this, Kevin was a small fleet owner for over twenty-two years. 
Henry Albert has been the President of Albert Transport for over twenty-eight years; Albert Transport is an active carrier in Huntersville, North Carolina. He is involved with Trucker Buddy and is currently on the board of directors. In 2007, Overdrive Magazine recognized Henry as Trucker of the Year. 

Episode Highlights:
[06:43 - 08:59] - Henry emphasizes the importance of optimizing basic truck configurations for fuel efficiency. He illustrates this by recounting a case where fleet trucks had their fifth wheels pulled all the way back, signaling a lack of understanding about its impact on fuel mileage. He observed that despite having advanced aerodynamic trucks and optimized idle settings, the drivers were running air conditioning and refrigerators continuously, leading to unnecessary fuel consumption. Albert underscores that even with the best equipment, not using it correctly can hinder operational efficiency, likening it to having a top-quality hammer but failing to use it properly.
[23:42 - 26:49] - Henry highlights the critical importance of measuring every aspect of one's operation to maintain profitability. He recalls a time when he aimed to surpass the average rate per mile of a major competitor, which was $1.73, by meticulously tracking each load, including deadhead miles. His experience underscores that measuring costs and profits—similar to how valuable commodities like gold and diamonds are tracked—is essential for making informed decisions and achieving financial success in trucking. He argues that everything of worth must be measured to understand and optimize profitability.
[26:49 - 28:44] - Kevin emphasizes that small owner-operators have significant advantages over large fleets, particularly in terms of flexibility and cost control. He explains that unlike big carriers with thin profit margins and extensive overhead, owner-operators can adapt quickly to changes, such as adjusting driving speed or managing fuel costs. This agility allows single-truck operators to make strategic decisions that can be implemented immediately, providing a competitive edge that larger fleets often cannot match. 
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Craig Fuller, founder and CEO of FreightWaves. 
Join them as they discuss: 

• Craig’s background in the trucking industry
• How Craig created FreightWaves
• The need for real-time information in the industry
• The creation of the Sonar data platform
• Craig's ventures into other industries
• Advice for entrepreneurs

Craig Fuller is the founder and CEO of FreightWaves, the leading FreightIntel provider, who offer current digital intelligence and context to the freight community on a central platform. FreightWaves.com, the company's news site, is the leading provider of news and commentary for the space, serving up over 2.5M pageviews a month and over 1.5B monthly impressions. Craig is also the Chief Executive Officer of Firecrown, the largest media platform in aviation, marine, and supply chain.
Episode Highlights:
[21:36 - 24:20] Craig attributes his deep understanding of the trucking industry to his upbringing, where his father, though reserved, shared extensive industry knowledge during long road trips. Growing up in a family deeply connected to trucking across three generations, Craig highlights how much of the industry's knowledge is "tribal" and passed down through experience. He expresses sadness that this rich, experiential knowledge may not be transferred to the next generation in the same way, as his children might not inherit the same intimate connection with the industry.
[28:30 - 34:22] FreightWaves was born out of necessity when Craig realized traditional PR firms found it difficult to market the complex futures concept. After being advised to produce their own content, FreightWaves began writing industry-specific news that diverged from the traditional press-release-driven reporting. This move to provide real-time, authentic insights—coupled with Craig’s deep industry experience—helped differentiate FreightWaves as a media company and drove its growth. Their content catered to freight brokers and tech-focused audiences, an underserved market at the time.
[44:40 - 49:46] Craig’s vision was to create a platform that treats freight like a commodity, similar to oil or gold, and provides real-time data and insights, much like Bloomberg’s model. This led to the development of Sonar, FreightWaves' data platform, designed to offer executive-level analysis rather than daily trading tools. Although initially intended for price analysts and executives, Sonar's sophisticated features have found success on trading floors, complementing rather than replacing existing tools like Truck Stop. Sonar provides detailed market insights and data intelligence, while Truck Stop focuses on ease of use for daily operations. 
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Shannon Currier, the Director of Philanthropy at the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund.
Join them as they discuss: 

• St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund: their mission, the assistance they provide, and the positive impact they have on drivers’ lives
• Driver health and wellness
• Personal stories 
• How to help
• Philanthropy in the trucking industry

Shannon Currier is Director of Philanthropy at St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting truck drivers in need. She has cultivated relationships with top industry leaders and key stakeholders, secured strategic partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, increased organization revenue by 24% average year-over-year, and secured numerous major gifts of $100,000, and significant contributions varying from $5,000 to $75,000 from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Before this, Shannon was Children’s Ministry Director for West Park Baptist Church.

Episode Highlights:
12:12 - 19:48 - St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, named after the patron saint of safe travels, was established to provide short-term financial relief to truck drivers facing health-related setbacks that affect their ability to work. The fund addresses urgent needs like medical expenses that threaten drivers’ livelihoods. Over time, the organization has expanded its focus to include health and wellness programs aimed at preventing long-term health issues common among drivers. These initiatives are developed with input from a driver council and are designed to support drivers in making healthier lifestyle choices, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and longevity in the profession.
23:17 - 26:05 - Shannon outlines the focused support provided by the St. Christopher Fund, emphasizing their strategy of addressing high-priority expenses for truck drivers. The fund covers essential costs such as household expenses, rent or mortgage, utility bills, and vehicle payments, but does not extend to medical bills due to their high costs. Assistance is provided for up to a couple of months to help drivers maintain stability. Applications are processed by having drivers submit their bills directly, which ensures that the funds are used as intended and allows for accountability to donors. This method also helps alleviate immediate financial pressures for drivers facing crises.
29:58 - 39:52 - Shannon shares impactful stories showcasing the effectiveness of the St. Christopher Fund's programs. Clarence Jackson's experience highlights the financial relief provided after severe medical issues, with the fund covering rent and essential expenses, which profoundly affected his faith in the industry's support. Danny Lawson's journey with the "Rigs Without Cigs" program illustrates the positive outcomes of health and wellness initiatives, including smoking cessation and ongoing healthy habits training. These stories not only underscore the fund's commitment to driver well-being but also inspire recipients to advocate for and contribute back to the organization, furthering its mission.
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Matthew Leffler, President of Armchair Attorney, and Brandon Minert, President of United Commercial Insurance. 
Join them as they discuss: 

• Nuclear verdicts and their impact on the transportation industry
• Reptile theory
• Creating a culture of safety 
• Trucking litigation
• The impact of nuclear verdicts on small trucking operations and brokers
• The need to work with experts and industry associations

Matthew Leffler is President of Leffler Technologies, a startup tackling the inspections of heavy duty commercial trailers. He is also the host and producer of “Fleeting Conversations podcast”. Matthew is the Managing Attorney for Armchair Attorney, a general practice law firm. 
Brandon Minert has been President of United Commercial Insurance, a commercial auto insurance provider, since 2013. Before this, he was Operations Manager for Minert & Associates. 

Episode Highlights:
[06:08 - 07:48] Matthew discusses the term "nuclear verdict", which was coined by the industry, not by the legal community, to describe cases where the liability exceeds $10 million, typically involving wrongful death or catastrophic injury. These high-damage awards reflect the significant costs associated with medical expenses, long-term care, and the perceived value of a human life, as determined by juries. Matthew notes that the frequency of such verdicts has risen by 43% between 2010 and 2019, attributed to increased distractions for both passenger and truck drivers, leading to more serious accidents.
[11:25 - 14:37] Matthew discusses the concept of "reptile theory," a legal strategy used by plaintiff attorneys to win large settlements in cases involving trucking accidents. Reptile theory is not a legal term but a psychological tactic designed to appeal to the jury's instinct for self-preservation by framing the defendant's actions as a threat to community safety. Matthew explains that this approach shifts the focus from the individual driver's actions to the systemic safety practices of the trucking company, often leading to higher punitive damages. This tactic is increasingly used to secure nuclear verdicts, making it essential for trucking companies to maintain stringent safety standards to protect themselves from such litigation.
[22:59 - 27:22] Brandon highlights how insurance is a necessary expense, not an asset, and its rising costs don't benefit anyone. To manage insurance effectively, especially in the trucking industry, companies must adopt a proactive approach rather than a reactive one. Insurance carriers, particularly those specialized in trucking, are eager to educate and support their clients, preparing them for potential claims. Brandon suggests that the key is early identification and resolution of issues, such as those involving reptile theory cases, which can lead to significant legal battles. A strong company culture focused on safety is crucial, as it can prevent many problems. Without such a culture, no amount of preparation can fully protect a company. 
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Shawn Rasmor, Principal Product Manager at Truckstop. 
Join them as they explore: 

• The rise and impact of freight fraud in the industry.
• The role of technology in detecting and preventing fraud.
• Importance of human intelligence alongside digital tools.
• Strategies for building trust in the freight market.
• Collaboration among industry players to combat fraud.
• Real-world examples of fraud cases and preventive measures.

Shawn Rasmor is dedicated to combating fraud in the freight marketplace. He deeply understands fraud prevention techniques and is passionate about protecting carriers, brokers, and shippers from malicious actors. His work involves developing technical barriers to deter fraud and safeguard the industry.
Episode Highlights:
[03:30 - 04:51] Shawn highlights the pervasive nature of fraud in the freight industry, noting that it can occur at every touch point. He explains that fraudsters are adapting their tactics, moving from creating fake carriers to exploiting vulnerabilities through emails and phone calls. Shawn emphasizes, "They're learning and adapting continuously," making it increasingly difficult to differentiate between legitimate and fraudulent actors. He stresses the need for vigilance across all communication channels to detect these schemes that are getting more sophisticated.
[09:10 - 10:50] Shawn talks about the rapid adoption of advanced technologies by fraudsters to disguise their identities and evade detection. He explains that while companies could significantly benefit from adopting similar efficiencies, they are often slow to do so. Shawn highlights that "bad actors are out there, they're adopting technologies" to enhance their concealment tactics. He stresses the importance of implementing robust policies and technological safeguards to protect against these evolving threats.
[12:28 - 14:40] Shawn notes the surge in fraud within the freight industry, noting a significant spike beginning in October 2022. Shawn notes that the reported cases of fraud, including double brokering and stolen loads, were meticulously verified by their assurance team. He points out that these fraud patterns surged notably around November and December, reminiscent of past economic downturns like the 2009 recession. Shawn explains that economic hardships often drive individuals to cut corners, which can lead to increased vulnerability to fraud. As Shawn puts it, "bad actors, it's like blood in the water, sharks attacking," illustrating how fraudsters exploit such conditions for their gain.
[24:40 - 26:20] Shawn discusses Truck Stop’s advanced tools and strategies for combating fraud in the freight industry. He highlights the use of their risk factors tool, which identifies risk signals even outside their platform, and underscores the importance of surveillance technology in monitoring bad actors. Shawn reveals that Truck Stop actively posts compromised identities and has removed hundreds of fraudulent accounts from their load board. He emphasizes that their risk management platform, RMIS, helps notify participants of potential threats. Shawn states, "When we get made aware of a situation, we're going to look over on RMIS and notify participants," showcasing their proactive approach to fraud prevention.
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Beau King, Senior Director of Global Markets at FreightWaves.
Join them as they explore:

• Beau’s career journey 
• Technology and automation
• Data analysis 
• The intersection between different roles in the industry
• The importance of pricing 

Beau King is the former Director of Pricing at RXO and currently serves as Senior Director of Global Markets at FreightWaves. His career spans across a number of logistics and transportation companies, and he has experience in pricing automation and strategy, influencing algorithms and pricing architecture, and developing new ways to leverage technology for pricing in transportation markets. 

Episode Highlights:
[09:30 - 11:53] - While there can often be mistrust between brokers and carriers, Beau says that it is vital to build strong relationships with carriers, especially owner-operators. Beau focuses on understanding the preferences and limitations of carriers, such as where they like to operate, what type of freight that they prefer, and the pricing they find acceptable. By taking the time to learn these details, brokers can offer carriers shipments that align with their preferences, leading to better outcomes for both parties. 
[17:33 - 18:56] - Beau emphasizes the critical role of pricing in the freight brokerage business and explains why understanding it thoroughly is essential. Pricing is a major focus in freight brokerage, accounting for a substantial portion of a broker's work. Beau mentions Andrew Leto speaking at a Freightways Conference saying how reps spend about 70% of their time on price discovery. Understanding how pricing tools work behind the scenes is also important. Beau suggests that many brokers expect a straightforward, pre-packaged rate from providers, but this is not always the case. Instead, it's important to understand how these rates are derived and what external market factors influence them.
[29:31 - 31:41] - Beau took over an existing automation program and focused on introducing governance, explaining that while many people desire precise answers from automation, effective governance is crucial to handle scenarios where standard answers may not apply. He cites three key aspects of effective pricing in an automated system: accuracy: how close a price estimate is to the actual cost; precision: the consistency of the pricing results; reliability: the overall dependability of the system. Beau adds that while accuracy is often prioritized, it’s essential to balance it with precision and reliability. 
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Kathy Fulton, Executive Director of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN). 
Join them as they explore: 

• Kathy’s career journey 
• The purpose of ALAN and how it helps during crisis situations
• The challenges of leading an organization that relies on outside involvement
• The importance of industry associations 
• Examples of when trucking played a crucial role in providing aid during disasters

Kathy Fulton has been with ALAN for over fourteen years. She currently serves as Executive Director, where she leads the organization in facilitating donations of logistics services and equipment to enable delivery of millions of dollars’ worth of humanitarian aid. Kathy has also worked for Saddle Creek Logistics Services for over twenty-six years, and was the President of CSCMP Central Florida Roundtable between 2017 and 2019.
[16:29 - 18:45] Kathy explains that although going from a defined role at Saddle Creek to a more amorphous role at ALAN was difficult, she and her team all relied on one another to cope with the problems that arose in the organization's infancy—she says “I learned was I was not alone”. Another key lesson she learned was that when people serve a greater purpose, they are willing to put business interests aside. 
[25:54 - 29:21] Kathy describes running an organization that's fully dependent on every outside resource, saying that the only thing that ALAN possesses is the relationships and trust they have built with their partners—whether that’s the nonprofit organizations they serve, the businesses who step in to provide the support, or the government organizations they help to have better visibility on what's happening with supply chains. Kathy notes that she prioritizes these personal relationships over transactional business relationships. 
[33:05 - 35:54] Explaining the core function of ALAN, Kathy says that it was formed to be the trucking industry's response to disaster, to figure out how to provide logistics, expertise, and services to support disaster relief efforts. Kathy says this happens in a couple of ways. Firstly, they bring together nonprofits who are responding to disasters with logistics services providers who can donate their services—she describes ALAN as “matchmakers”. Secondly, the organization provides critical information (such as updates on transport waivers during emergencies) to businesses in order to keep them operational. 
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Jessica Dotson, Director of Business Development and Account Management at Multi Service Fuel Card. 
Join them as they explore: 

• Jessica’s career journey 
• The benefits of using fuel cards
• The importance of having operational savings
• Valuable advice for truckers looking to start their own business
• The need for thorough understanding of all operational expenses.
• The value of understanding overall fuel spend 

Jessica Dotson is Director of Business Development and Account Management at Multi Service Fuel Card, who launched the first real-time authorization fuel card that revolutionized fleet management and fuel purchases. She has been with Multi Service Fuel Card for over six years, having previously worked as Director of Account Management, and Manager. Jessica recently joined the Board of Directors for the Women in Trucking Foundation. 

[21:56 - 26:26] When Jessica started learning about the trucking industry, she worked for a variety of companies in order to gain experience. For instance, she worked for a brokerage, where she learned what brokers look for in carriers, including insurance, driving records, and communication skills. Jessica emphasizes that building strong broker-carrier relationships is vital. Additionally, to understand cash flow challenges, she worked for a factoring company, where she learned how factoring can be useful for trucking companies that need quick payments in order to stabilize cash flow. 
[29:29 - 31:42] Jessica discusses the importance of having operational savings before starting your own business in the trucking industry. She advises having at least a year to a year and a half worth of operational savings to ensure financial stability. Noting how major mechanical failures and health crises are the two main factors that can put truckers out of business, she says that cash flow is crucial, especially during breakdowns or other issues, and having enough savings can prevent financial hardships. 
[37:55 - 39:24] Jessica highlights the benefits and pitfalls of using fuel cards in the trucking industry. She notes the importance of understanding the overall fuel spend and not getting too focused on discounts. Jessica also says that fuel cards provide a safer and easier way to pay, as well as the ability to track and plan fuel expenses more strategically—for instance, before using a specialized fuel card, she struggled with time-consuming and complicated reporting processes. She advises choosing a fuel card that is accepted at truck stops—as opposed to general fuel cards, like those from major credit card companies.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Ingrid Brown, Owner and Principal of Rollin’ B. 
Join them as they explore: 

• The integral role Ingrid’s parents played in her transportation journey
• Being a woman in a male-dominated industry
• The importance of never giving up and seeking help
• And more!

Ingrid is a professional truck driver with 45 years of experience. Since 1979, she has been Owner and Principal of Rollin’ B, and more recently she is a Company Driver with Blackjack Express. She is also a prominent member of the Women in Trucking (WIT) Association, serving on the 2024-2025 Board of Directors. In 2022, she was named one of the WIT Women to Watch in Transportation.
Episode Highlights:

[09:10 - 15:17] Ingrid attributes a lot of her success in transportation and supply chain to the foundational tools and work ethic her father instilled in her. She worked directly with him at his family construction business, where he was the main man on the ground. He was always strict about education, and expected her to learn quickly and efficiently. Even after an accident left him with severe injuries and impaired speech, he still provided valuable mechanical advice to her about her trucks. She strongly believes that her foundations in construction helped her in the switch to transportation, and that everybody can use their own background knowledge to achieve what she has with determination and effort. 
[18:02 - 26:23] Ingrid’s experience in construction, where she was the only female, prepared her for the male-dominated trucking industry. When she first made the shift over to transportation, there were very few female drivers, only six crossing the country as solo drivers, so they supported one another by leaving notes at truck stops. Throughout her career, Ingrid hasn’t been scared to ask for help, and she emphasizes how important this is for everybody, not just women, from both a safety and education perspective. Drivers need to communicate and support each other, and create a wider community, similar to how it used to be when we would all stand around at the truck stop sharing stories. 
[38:07 - 43:55] In 2017, Ingrid was diagnosed with stage two melanoma, a disease that had caused the death of several of her family members. She has had several surgeries, which included the removal of a quarter of her throat, and is still in treatment today but has been allowed back to work. Last year she sold her truck and deactivated her authority, joining Blackjack Express, a heavy haul company which accommodates her medical needs. She stresses how important it is to find a company that will support your personal and health needs as a driver. Her experience is also testament to the value of backup plans and varied experience for when unforeseen circumstances show themselves. Her story is proof that you should never give up, and instead seek help when you need it. 
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, instructions on how to do this are here.Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so