The Freight Coach Podcast

Let's welcome our first guest this week, Eric Jordan, a third-party logistics broker at SPI Logistics, talking about his journey to becoming an independent agent and running a successful freight agency!

Eric shares the early grind of making 75 cold calls a day, creative ways he landed customers, and how relationships and referrals now drive half his business.

We dive into the reality of sales pre- and post-COVID, why industry specialization matters more than ever, how a support structure allows agents to move high-value freight without missing a beat, and the hardest lessons he learned about contracts, financial discipline, and protecting your business!

Connect with Eric

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 404-993-9005

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• Denim | https://info.denim.com/chrisjolly
• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

Help Sgt. Murphy's Kids Soar: A Fallen Hero: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sgt-murphy-support-his-children

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▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

What's the real problem in trucking right now? Are there too many regulations? Or lack of reinforcement? Find out in this episode with our returning guest, Adam Wingfield of Innovative Logistics Group!

Adam discusses the FMCSA's staffing crisis, what really creates safety gaps across the industry, the disconnect between federal and state regulations that leaves us with 48 to 50 different standards instead of a national approach, and why political swings only exacerbate the issue.

We also cover safety audit delays, misconceptions surrounding language barriers, how social media noise distracts from real solutions, the broker accountability in today's excess capacity market, and why treating carriers right now will pay off when things tighten!

About Adam Wingfield

Adam is the Founder and Managing Director of Innovative Logistics Group. The Charlotte, NC based company is a Trucking Consulting and Carrier Services firm that focuses on providing resources and success guidance to small carriers. Adam a South Carolina native and 21 year industry vet, started in the industry in 2000 as a OTR company driver and quickly progressed to fleet ownership purchasing his first semi truck at 23 years old. Adam began his collegiate study at Johnson C. Smith University where he begun his studies to go on to complete his degree, Magna Cum Laude in Business Management/Supply Chain from Strayer University.

As a trucking visionary, he managed to amass a portfolio of trucks under management as well as progressing into executive mentorship all before the age of 30. Driven by his passion for success, Innovative Logistics has helped thousands of carriers small and large with countless resources and mentorship.

Connect with Adam

• Website: https://www.thetruckingconsultants.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-wingfield-012b523a/
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/adamlwingfield

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• Denim | https://info.denim.com/chrisjolly
• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

Help Sgt. Murphy's Kids Soar: A Fallen Hero: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sgt-murphy-support-his-children

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

How much money is your fleet leaving on the table by not managing trailers effectively? What if a simple, one-minute install could turn a $50,000 asset into a profit driver instead of a liability?

In today's episode, Carl-Christoph "CCR" Reckers shares how FleetPulse has stepped into the market with practical trailer telematics that solve real problems instead of just throwing "dots on a map" at you. With its data-driven preventive maintenance, CCR discusses how technology is reshaping trailer utilization, safety, and security.

Plus, we cover why today's higher interest rate environment is forcing fleets to rethink trailer-to-tractor ratios, how theft prevention and cargo monitoring tech protect your reputation and bottom line, and why automation is the key to stopping unpaid dwell time from eating into revenue!

About Carl-Christoph "CCR" Reckers

Carl-Christoph is a full-stack, hands-on tech leader with strong go-to-market and product instincts, adept at aligning product, sales, marketing, and customer experience teams while empowering strong ownership to achieve common goals. He's focusing on recruiting, developing and retaining top talent and fostering a values-driven, entrepreneurial high-performance culture.

Carl-Christoph is known for creating an environment conducive to experimentation and rapid learning by balancing collaboration with decisiveness and moving fast, and has a track record of launching B2B products and businesses from zero and scaling profitably to $MMM.

Currently, he's focusing on digital transformation in B2B, digital supply chain, product, electrification, and AI.

Connect with CCR

• Website: https://fleetpulse.com/ / https://greatdane.com/fleetpulse/
• Email: [email protected]

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• Denim | https://info.denim.com/chrisjolly
• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

Help Sgt. Murphy's Kids Soar: A Fallen Hero: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sgt-murphy-support-his-children

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

In this mashup episode, we're presenting our first two guests from the 2025 IANA Intermodal Expo, Kristy Knichel of Knichel Logistics and Gary Van Tassel of INFORM GmbH!

Kristy shares the strategies behind running a non-asset-based intermodal company, how customer retention, flexibility in equipment, and strong carrier relationships gave them an edge during the COVID equipment shortages, and why events like the IANA Conference are critical for long-term business development.

Gary talks about how automation, AI, and cybersecurity are shaping the future of supply chain efficiency and security!

About Kristy Knichel

Meet Kristy Knichel, the heart and brains behind Knichel Logistics and a proud Pittsburgh native. She didn't just inherit the logistics torch from her father; she turned it into a blazing success story. Taking the helm as president in 2007 was more than a title shift; it was a game-changer. Since becoming president, Kristy's been playing logistics Jenga, stacking up growth year after year. Kristy's success in growing Knichel Logistics can be attributed to her strategic decision-making and ability to identify expansion opportunities, such as adding OTR, LTL, and specialty services, as well as a slew of technological advancements to boost efficiency. Through her leadership, Kristy has not only tripled the business but also solidified Knichel Logistics' reputation as a top player in the IMC community.

Kristy has quite a few awards and accolades under her belt. Check out some of her most recent accomplishments, including the 2022 Women in Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive, the 2022 Top Woman-Owned Companies in Transportation Award from Women in Trucking, and being the Intermodal Logistics Conference Chair on the TIA Board of Directors from 2019 to 2023. And get this: Kristy's the only woman to receive the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year award for the East Central Region in 2022!

Today, Kristy's focus is to elevate Knichel Logistics to new heights through strategic development. She's dedicated to providing her team with opportunities for growth and self-improvement. When Kristy isn't busy conquering the business world as well as being a devoted mom to Brayden and wife to Jason, she's rooting for the Steelers or embarking on a camping adventure with her loved ones. With a leader like Kristy, there's more than just logistics at play!

• Website: https://www.knichellogistics.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyknichel/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/knichel-logistics/

About Gary Van Tassel

Gary van Tassel is a logistics and terminal operations expert with over 20 years of experience in maritime, intermodal, and rail environments, specializing in strategy, automation, and change management. Having started his career at APM Terminals, he has held senior leadership roles at REMPREX and CSX Intermodal Terminals, where he oversaw large-scale technology-enabled transformation initiatives, including greenfield terminal developments and automation programs. Since March 2025, Gary serves as Director Sales North America at INFORM's Terminal & Distribution Center Logistics Division, a German-based software company with a history of over 55 years in optimizing logistics processes.

• Website: https://www.inform-software.com/en/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-van-tassel-5751b2220/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/inform/

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• Denim | https://info.denim.com/chrisjolly
• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

Help Sgt. Murphy's Kids Soar: A Fallen Hero: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sgt-murphy-support-his-children

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

How prepared is your business to face today's evolving cybersecurity threats? Are you confident your team could spot an AI-generated scam or respond to a ransomware attack in real time? Listen to Joe Ohr sharing the impact of the NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference, which was born out of the LTL industry's push to go digital and address the gap in security education and awareness. We discuss who the prime targets for cybercriminals are, how AI has changed the game for bad actors, and how the NMFTA conference equips attendees with real-world tools. With its peer-to-peer format, intimate setting, and focus on actionable outcomes, strengthen your defenses against the rising tide of cyber threats!

NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference Registration: https://cyber.nmfta.org/cybersecurity-conference/register

About Joe Ohr

Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support.

Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity.

Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs.

Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals.

He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs.

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• Denim | https://info.denim.com/chrisjolly
• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

Help Sgt. Murphy's Kids Soar: A Fallen Hero: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sgt-murphy-support-his-children

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

In this week's first episode, let's break down the real issues facing transportation professionals, particularly on the enforcement of Entry Level Driver Training and DOT policies, how tariff flip-flopping hurts U.S. businesses, and why our government's recurring budget crises create real risks for CDL issuance!

Discover the market shift from LTL to truckload, where shippers can reduce costs, minimize damage risk, and improve transit times, a significant opportunity for freight brokers and carriers who understand how to educate their customers. I also cover the latest fraud case, exposing weaknesses in VIN verification and title systems, and why we need better government accountability instead of excuses!

Resources / References

• https://www.joc.com/article/truckload-carriers-capturing-more-ltl-shipments-fedex-freight-6083463
• https://www.ttnews.com/articles/us-shutdown-looms
• https://cdllife.com/2025/trucking-company-owner-arrested-for-key-role-in-elaborate-rebuild-of-stolen-cmvs/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAM-Jk5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmv18KUnE6QjG8f7WsNxby3Bl3alnYWjvy1KQDK21Ohc1gne2MZ83d2MbO-R_aem_QB-S7BJc5dLWhaYumAZxZg

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• Denim | https://info.denim.com/chrisjolly
• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

Help Sgt. Murphy's Kids Soar: A Fallen Hero: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sgt-murphy-support-his-children

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

What's the real cost of outdated systems and failed tech rollouts in transportation? Tune in to YMX Logistics' CEO, Matt Yearling, to discuss systemizing yard management and operations, why half of the solutions implemented in this space fail to deliver ROI, and the explanation behind 90% of facilities still run yards without proper technology!

We also cover the business opportunities in this market, how it creates an outsized impact across the entire supply chain, how companies like YMX Logistics are changing the game with a best-of-breed, 4PL approach that bridges the gap between transportation and warehousing, and the financial benefits of professional yard management!

Connect with Matt

• Website: https://ymxlogistics.com/
• Email: [email protected]

About Matt Yearling

Matt Yearling, CED of YMX Logistics, is changing the game of warehouse yard operations. For decades, the warehouse yard has been a logistical blind spot—riddled with inefficiency, paper logs, and radio chatter. Matt Yearling is bringing a holistic approach to yard management through optimization and orchestration, turning the yard into a strategic asset.

For one major grocery retailer, YMX helped the company transition from a reactive service model to a proactive, data-driven strategy, improving performance, reducing costs, and creating safer and more efficient yard and DC operations. The transformation was achieved by implementing YMX's proprietary yard operating system, YMX OS. YMX OS combines operational expertise with technology enablement, including real-time visibility, standardized processes, and a performance-based framework delivering the highest level of service and optimized yard operations for both the retailer and its third-party providers.

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• Denim | https://info.denim.com/chrisjolly
• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

Help Sgt. Murphy's Kids Soar: A Fallen Hero: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sgt-murphy-support-his-children

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

Today, Bill Holaday of EBE Technologies joins us to talk about productivity in the trucking business and the role of automation in driver retention, cash flow, and safety compliance!

We dive into how automation, document scanning, OCR, and AI integrations are helping fleets, from small operators to truck carriers, to unlock measurable ROI, Bill's real-world insights from visiting over a thousand trucking companies across North and Central America, and a driver-friendly tech that simplifies workflows and accelerates billing.

If you're evaluating technology investments, this conversation can give a straightforward framework for demanding proof of concept, validating vendor claims, and ensuring your tech dollars drive efficiency, accuracy, and long-term business growth!

Connect with Bill

• Website: https://ebeships.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-holaday-8a70814

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• Denim | https://info.denim.com/chrisjolly
• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

Help Sgt. Murphy's Kids Soar: A Fallen Hero: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sgt-murphy-support-his-children

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

The harsh reality of entrepreneurship? Most businesses fail—not because of a lack of effort, but due to cash flow issues, technical missteps, and a lack of focus. In this replay mashup episode, Alex Schick and Matthew Zarzycki share their lessons from building a business with resilience.

Learn why niche specialization, financial management, and effective strategies are significant to thrive in a changing market!

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• Denim | https://info.denim.com/chrisjolly
• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

Help Sgt. Murphy's Kids Soar: A Fallen Hero: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sgt-murphy-support-his-children

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/

Do your marketing strategies keep you stuck in the past or position you for long-term growth? In today's episode with Mike Marut, discover how Revenova transformed its marketing approach, moving from outdated outreach and dormant social media into a people-first strategy powered by leadership visibility and authentic content!

You'll hear how their native AI gives them a true edge in the crowded TMS space, why conferences matter for brand awareness, and how empowering employees to create content fuels confidence and sales!

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• Denim | https://info.denim.com/chrisjolly
• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

Help Sgt. Murphy's Kids Soar: A Fallen Hero: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-sgt-murphy-support-his-children

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/