The Freight Coach Podcast

Today, Velocitor Solution's Rudy Nemeth talks about the evolution of fleet technology from digitizing basic processes to integrated platforms that enhance safety and efficiency!

Rudy highlights how utilizing AI in fleet management helps identify safety issues, existing data challenges in logistics companies, cash flow constraints faced by small businesses, and the benefits of technology advancements!

About Rudy Nemeth

As the VP of Sales at Velocitor Solutions, Rudy has over 25 years of experience in new business development for mobile software solutions and managed mobile services. His expertise includes Enterprise Cross-Platform Mobile Apps, Mobile Back-End, and ERP Integration. He also manages a fleet management system that includes GPS tracking, telematics monitoring, FMCSA-compliant ELD system, driver score cards, and in-cab video. His vertical markets include Consumer Packaged Goods, Field Service, Transportation and Logistics, Manufacturing, Retail, and Field Sales. He's passionate about delivering innovative and effective mobile solutions to various industries and helping businesses optimize their operations and performance.

Connect with Rudy

• Website: https://velocitor.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudynemeth/

📊📉 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/
• Greenscreens | https://brokers.greenscreens.ai/partnership/chris-jolly
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

🚚 Ditch your carrier packet, drive more carrier sales, and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage by visiting https://brokercarrier.com/.

To donate and contribute to the Have a Heart's purpose, visit https://www.haveaheartinc.org/donate.

🚀🔥 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 episode, you'll hear an analysis of what shippers look for when selecting freight providers, their sentiments and challenges, and how to build long-term relationships with them effectively. Tune in so you won't miss another discussion that will help you stand out as a freight broker!

2025 Shipper Pulse Report: https://shorturl.at/Eixz9

📊📉 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/
• Greenscreens | https://brokers.greenscreens.ai/partnership/chris-jolly
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

🚚 Ditch your carrier packet, drive more carrier sales, and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage by visiting https://brokercarrier.com/.

To donate and contribute to the Have a Heart's purpose, visit https://www.haveaheartinc.org/donate.

🚀🔥 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, we're joined by incredible women in transportation, Lacey Olson and Amanda Haire - the co-founders of Transport Express!

Despite coming from different industries, Lacey and Amanda share how they got into the freight business and continue to thrive, their challenges due to changing market conditions, and their focus on promoting a work-life balance, creating standard operating procedures, training manuals, and KPIs to enhance operational scalability!

About Lacey Olson and Amanda Haire

Lacey Olson is the Co-owner of Transport Express, a Minnesota-based freight brokerage she acquired with her business partner, Amanda Haire, in 2021. She began her career in investment banking before taking a hiatus to raise her three boys. Today, she holds an MBA and co-owns a concrete and masonry company with her husband. Her experience spans finance, logistics, construction, and real estate investing—all rooted in a drive to build strong, values-aligned businesses. Lacey believes momentum comes from doing the little things well and brings a steady, thoughtful approach to entrepreneurship.

Amanda Haire grew up around entrepreneurship — watching her dad run a third-generation lumber yard sparked her own desire to build something lasting. Before entering the transportation industry, she spent over a decade as a paramedic, a role that taught her to lead with calm and purpose under pressure. She also invested in and co-owned businesses in the residential construction space. Today, she's proud to help modernize a legacy business and to inspire more women to pursue entrepreneurship.

Connect with Lacey and Amanda

• Website: https://www.transportexpress.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceyroxannolson/ / https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-haire-980424232/

📊📉 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/
• Greenscreens | https://brokers.greenscreens.ai/partnership/chris-jolly
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

🚚 Ditch your carrier packet, drive more carrier sales, and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage by visiting https://brokercarrier.com/.

To donate and contribute to the Have a Heart's purpose, visit https://www.haveaheartinc.org/donate.

🚀🔥 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/

Tune in and be updated today on the current transportation industry, with significant capacity and challenges in customer relationships, regional freight trends, insights on the impact of upcoming NMFC code changes, and the significance of continuous business development in a competitive market!

References/Resources

• https://www.joc.com/article/us-trucking-rate-momentum-stalls-amid-volume-decline-cass-ppis-6023976
• https://www.joc.com/article/schneider-jb-hunt-see-us-truck-capacity-shrinking-in-h2-6023884
• https://www.ttnews.com/articles/trump-california-emissions

📊📉 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/
• Greenscreens | https://brokers.greenscreens.ai/partnership/chris-jolly
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

🚚 Ditch your carrier packet, drive more carrier sales, and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage by visiting https://brokercarrier.com/.

To donate and contribute to the Have a Heart's purpose, visit https://www.haveaheartinc.org/donate.

🚀🔥 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/

Let's end this week with more business growth strategies with today's guest, John Marienau of Valey, sharing his real industry experience!

John highlights the challenges and successes of entrepreneurship in freight, the importance of consistent daily effort and sustainable work practices, Valey's comprehensive staffing solutions, and his goal to promote a supportive entrepreneurial community!

About John Marienau

John Marienau blends over a decade of logistics and project leadership with a love for smart systems and great teams. At Valey, he's on a mission to help founders do their best work by helping teams move faster, smoother, and with more intention.

Valey's special offer for listeners: https://www.valey.io/freightcoach/

📊📉 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/
• Greenscreens | https://brokers.greenscreens.ai/partnership/chris-jolly
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

🚚 Ditch your carrier packet, drive more carrier sales, and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage by visiting https://brokercarrier.com/.

To donate and contribute to the Have a Heart's purpose, visit https://www.haveaheartinc.org/donate.

🚀🔥 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/

If you're looking for more strategies to operate and manage your freight business efficiently, look no further and listen to our guest, Kyle Lintner!

Kyle emphasizes improving cash flow and profitability, key business assessment processes, the importance of automation, balancing technology and human interaction, and leveraging AI tools for various tasks!

About Kyle Lintner

Born, raised, and residing in Chicago, Kyle Lintner is an unapologetic Cubs fan, free market enthusiast, and logical tamer of risk. Utilizing 25 years of investment market experience, Kyle employs a unique methodology to solve problems within supply chains. With an objective, analytical point of view, Kyle is a frequent contributor in print, television, and radio for unbiased assessments of current freight market dynamics, conditions, and industry participants.

📊📉 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/
• Greenscreens | https://brokers.greenscreens.ai/partnership/chris-jolly
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

🚚 Ditch your carrier packet, drive more carrier sales, and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage by visiting https://brokercarrier.com/.

To donate and contribute to the Have a Heart's purpose, visit https://www.haveaheartinc.org/donate.

🚀🔥 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 episode, we've got another incredible guest, Sean Dehan from Truckstop!

Sean talks about the importance of adapting to challenging market dynamics, longer sales cycles post-COVID, Truckstop's strategy for building long-term relationships and effective communication, future development plans, and more that you shouldn't miss!

About Sean Dehan

Sean Dehan is the VP of Corporate Strategy at Truckstop and one of the most trusted load boards in freight for almost 30 years.

Sean is an expert in carrier success, freight fraud prevention, and industry trends. With fraud on the rise and market conditions constantly shifting, he offers a grounded, insightful view of what's happening behind the scenes — and how brokers and carriers alike can stay ahead.

Connect with Sean

• Website: https://truckstop.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dehansean/

📊📉 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/
• Greenscreens | https://brokers.greenscreens.ai/partnership/chris-jolly
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

🚚 Ditch your carrier packet, drive more carrier sales, and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage by visiting https://brokercarrier.com/.

To donate and contribute to the Have a Heart's purpose, visit https://www.haveaheartinc.org/donate.

🚀🔥 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/

Whether you're an aspiring or experienced freight broker, listen to this episode with our returning guest from Rocket Shipping, Gabe Pankonin, as he shares his expert insights on upcoming NMFC code changes!

Gabe explains how the NMFC changes could represent a significant shift in transportation, the opportunities for brokers to provide proactive analysis, and more about cold calling success, resolving operational challenges, and understanding the impact of class changes!

About Gabe Pankonin

Gabe Pankonin has always had a knack for sales and relationships - a skillset that has led him to run a successful, fast-growing freight startup in the industry.

After several years servicing E-comm companies moving big and bulky freight, one painful reality set in: Brands had the marketing skills to grow quickly, but they were NO match for outdated LTL shipping solutions.

Gabe saw this issue plaguing the LTL space...that as shippers get bigger and start to handle more shipments, half of their business turns into the logistics of just getting things to people's homes

Which is why he started Rocket Shipping; Mid-Market Managed Transportation!

Rocket's Core Values are an extension of Gabe's deeply held beliefs. Faith, Family, Joy, Grit, and Integrity. Ultimately, the goal Gabe set for Rocket has and always will be to build predictable and repeatable revenue and to impact the people who work with and at Rocket Shipping for many years to come!

📊📉 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/
• Greenscreens | https://brokers.greenscreens.ai/partnership/chris-jolly
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

🚚 Ditch your carrier packet, drive more carrier sales, and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage by visiting https://brokercarrier.com/.

To donate and contribute to the Have a Heart's purpose, visit https://www.haveaheartinc.org/donate.

🚀🔥 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, Bob King of Sage Freight brings his over thirty years of experience in the transportation industry and the entrepreneurial mindset that keeps him thriving and growing!

Bob emphasizes prioritizing revenue-generating activities, accepting personal liability impacts decision-making, and promoting long-term customer relationships. Tune in to unpack more from this episode!

About Bob King

Robert King is a veteran logistics executive and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in transportation and supply chain leadership. He is the Founder and CEO of Sage Freight, launched in October 2021 in Brentwood, Tennessee. Under his leadership, Sage Freight has grown into a high-performing logistics company with international operations and a strong cultural foundation built on people, purpose, and process.

Before Sage, Robert served as President of One Point Logistics in early 2020, where he was recruited to lead a turnaround of a 250-person operation.

From 2005 to 2020, Robert was the Founder and President of Cavalry Logistics, which he built from the ground up without outside funding. In 2010, he sold Cavalry to Universal Logistics Holdings but continued to lead the company as President for nearly a decade post-acquisition.

Robert began his career at C.H. Robinson in August 1993, starting in the North Chicago office. He rose through the ranks to become Transportation Manager and, ultimately, General Manager of the Nashville office.

He later served as Director of Logistics at Western Express from 2004 to 2005, where he launched a brokerage team that achieved a multimillion-dollar run rate in its first year and helped establish a high-performing, cross-functional culture.

Robert holds a Bachelor of Arts in Global Security and Nuclear Warfare from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Known for his strategic clarity, cultural leadership, and operational excellence, he continues to shape the future of freight through innovation, acquisition, and people-first growth.

📊📉 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/
• Greenscreens | https://brokers.greenscreens.ai/partnership/chris-jolly
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

🚚 Ditch your carrier packet, drive more carrier sales, and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage by visiting https://brokercarrier.com/.

To donate and contribute to the Have a Heart's purpose, visit https://www.haveaheartinc.org/donate.

🚀🔥 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/

Want to learn more about refrigerated freight for the food and beverage industry? Listen to this week's last guest, Michael Cherney, the co-founder and CEO of Cooler Logistics!

Michael shares his shift from the financial services sector to founding Cooler Logistics, their company's strategic focus on small to mid-sized customers, innovative operational approaches using technology, and the importance of customer retention and consistent pricing strategies!

About Michael Cherney

Michael Cherney is a proven leader in the logistics industry with 16 years of experience. He holds a master's degree in Global Supply Chain Management and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification. Known for his exceptional leadership, Michael, a first time CEO, leads a diverse team of experienced logistics professionals aiming to provide an exceptional experience to their carrier and customer partners alike. With an ideal customer profile of SMBs in the F&B vertical, his subject matter expertise in shipping fresh and frozen products shines.

Connect with Michael

• Website: https://www.coolerlogistics.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcherney/

📊📉 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/
• Greenscreens | https://brokers.greenscreens.ai/partnership/chris-jolly
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/

🚚 Ditch your carrier packet, drive more carrier sales, and get better load coverage with seamless digital onboarding, TMS integration, and smart load coverage by visiting https://brokercarrier.com/.

To donate and contribute to the Have a Heart's purpose, visit https://www.haveaheartinc.org/donate.

🚀🔥 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/