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TJ Graff on Predictive Hiring, Driver Turnover & Second Chance Programs | Behind The Wheelhouse
In this episode of Behind the Wheelhouse, we sit down with TJ Graff, CEO of Star Behaviors and a 22-year industry veteran, to break down one of the biggest structural failures in trucking: driver turnover.
TJ drove for 22 years — including convoy missions in Iraq and Afghanistan — before transitioning into recruiting and behavioral assessment. His conclusion? Trucking doesn’t have a driver shortage problem. It has a hiring and system alignment problem.
We discuss:
• Why traditional qualification-based hiring fuels 75–125% annual turnover
• The true cost of replacing a driver (over $12,000 per hire)
• Predictive hiring vs. “meat in the seat” recruiting
• Behavioral indicators that compliance checks completely miss
• Safety, customer service, teamwork & personal accountability
• Why drivers should be treated like customers
• The SAP program & FMCSA Clearinghouse explained
• What second chance programs should (and shouldn’t) look like
• How Star Path raises the safety bar instead of lowering it
TJ explains how behavioral assessments can identify drivers who are aligned with a company’s culture, freight profile, and long-term expectations — reducing churn, strengthening safety, and improving profitability.
If the industry wants to reduce turnover, nuclear verdict exposure, and hiring fatigue, it may be time to stop moving faster — and start hiring smarter.
🔗 Learn more about Star Behaviors: https://starbehaviors.com
Follow TJ Graff on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tj-graff-700772a?originalSubdomain=mx
Follow Trucker Talk Radio
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TruckerTalkRadio
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@truckertalkradio
Instagram: https://instagram.com/truckertalkradio
X: https://x.com/trucktalkradio
Powered by Ready App
The driver-verification platform protecting brokers, carriers, and shippers from identity fraud, onboarding risks, and unsafe hires.
Learn more at: https://ready-app.com
Support GreyCross.org
A 501(c)(3) supporting families affected by roadway tragedies across America.
Donate at: https://greycross.org
View all episodes
By Jon VogtIn this episode of Behind the Wheelhouse, we sit down with TJ Graff, CEO of Star Behaviors and a 22-year industry veteran, to break down one of the biggest structural failures in trucking: driver turnover.
TJ drove for 22 years — including convoy missions in Iraq and Afghanistan — before transitioning into recruiting and behavioral assessment. His conclusion? Trucking doesn’t have a driver shortage problem. It has a hiring and system alignment problem.
We discuss:
• Why traditional qualification-based hiring fuels 75–125% annual turnover
• The true cost of replacing a driver (over $12,000 per hire)
• Predictive hiring vs. “meat in the seat” recruiting
• Behavioral indicators that compliance checks completely miss
• Safety, customer service, teamwork & personal accountability
• Why drivers should be treated like customers
• The SAP program & FMCSA Clearinghouse explained
• What second chance programs should (and shouldn’t) look like
• How Star Path raises the safety bar instead of lowering it
TJ explains how behavioral assessments can identify drivers who are aligned with a company’s culture, freight profile, and long-term expectations — reducing churn, strengthening safety, and improving profitability.
If the industry wants to reduce turnover, nuclear verdict exposure, and hiring fatigue, it may be time to stop moving faster — and start hiring smarter.
🔗 Learn more about Star Behaviors: https://starbehaviors.com
Follow TJ Graff on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tj-graff-700772a?originalSubdomain=mx
Follow Trucker Talk Radio
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TruckerTalkRadio
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@truckertalkradio
Instagram: https://instagram.com/truckertalkradio
X: https://x.com/trucktalkradio
Powered by Ready App
The driver-verification platform protecting brokers, carriers, and shippers from identity fraud, onboarding risks, and unsafe hires.
Learn more at: https://ready-app.com
Support GreyCross.org
A 501(c)(3) supporting families affected by roadway tragedies across America.
Donate at: https://greycross.org