FreightWaves LIVE: An Events Podcast

Max is one of the visionaries that helped to create the truckload and logistics industries that we have today. As an early adopter of many safety, productivity and driver comfort, Max was very early on with items like power steering, air conditioning, steering stability controls, disc brakes, satellite communications, traction control, collision avoidance systems, electronics on engines years before it was accepted by the industry. He was one of the first to computerize his company in the mid 1980s. He would find technologies in Europe and push for implementation in the U.S. Max has developed companies in various industries with great success. He developed Paragon Trailer Rental which was sold to GE. He developed Xpress Data systems which he sold the software assets to Qualcomm. He started a company called Innovative Processing Solutions (a fintech software company) which was sold to US Bank. He co-founded a fintech company called TransCard which specializes in b to b and b to c payment applications. During his tenure at U.S. Xpress Enterprises, he completed 31 acquisitions with successful implementations. As a founder of US Xpress, he built the company to approximately $2,500,000,000 in total revenues. He has been on the SunTrust/Truist Advisory Board since 1994. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prasad Gollapalli is chief executive officer, founder and chairman of the board of Qued, a pioneering cloud-based AI workflow automation platform transforming load appointment scheduling into the future. It seamlessly automates the entire process, securing the optimal appointment times to all types of loads including multi-stop loads. By eliminating the chaos of spreadsheet management, overflowing inboxes, and cumbersome portal logins, Qued empowers 3PLs, brokers, and carriers with a streamlined workflow while delivering significant workforce optimization benefits for shippers. Through Qued, brokers build trust by guaranteeing on-time deliveries, enhancing communication, and fostering transparency, thereby strengthening industry relationships and enhancing efficiency and reliability. Qued's innovative approach has earned recognition from industry leaders such as McLeod Software, a premier freight management and transportation software provider, which has certified Qued as an integration partner. With nearly three decades of industry experience, Prasad is a seasoned entrepreneur renowned for his success in start-up ventures and leadership roles within trucking and shipping software companies. Prior to Qued, Prasad founded and led Trucker Tools, the industry's premier digital freight management platform with the most popular Trucker Tools driver app. As the CEO of Trucker Tools, he led the team in implementing innovative solutions including capacity management, predictive freight matching, automated booking, and real-time GPS-based visibility. Prasad sold Trucker Tools to ASG, a portfolio company of Alpine Investors, in June 2021. In December of 2024, DAT (a Roper Industries company) acquired Trucker Tools making ASG extremely happy with the outcome.  Prior to his tenure at Trucker Tools, Prasad held various leadership positions focused on the design and implementation of advanced transportation technology solutions. As Director of Product Management at Getloaded.com, later acquired by DAT, he led business and product strategy efforts. Prasad's expertise extends to the shipping industry, where he served as a product manager for the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR, LLC). Prasad holds an MBA with a focus on strategy and entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, as well as a master's degree in Computer Science from the University of Alabama-Huntsville. He earned his bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering from the University of Madras, India. Prasad resides in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife and daughter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryan Alsobrooks is President of Phoenix Capital Group (PCG). PCG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company and is a nationally recognized provider of working capital solutions to small- to medium-sized transportation companies.  Financing solutions include asset-based lending, accounts receivable financing and factoring, equipment financing and fuel card services.  Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, with additional offices in Fruitland, Idaho, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mr. Alsobrooks has over 32 years commercial finance experience and more than 25 years in the transportation industry. Mr. Alsobrooks is active with the International Factoring Association and has served as past Chairman and Vice Chairman for the North American Credit Manager’s National Transportation Credit Group. Mr. Alsobrooks received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Austin Peay State University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Shillingford is a Venture Partner at Columbia Capital and CoFounder of Everstream Analytics, a leading supply chain risk analytics company and his seventh venture. David has led the development of several industry-wide data and analytics platforms both as an entrepreneur and as SVP Supply Chain at Verisk Analytics (NASDAQ: VRSK). David’s first career was as a special operations officer in the British Army.  David holds a BSc Honors degree in Chemistry from the University of Exeter in England. Scot Davis serves as Vice President of Customer Fulfillment at Shaw Industries, bringing more than 35 years of experience across the textile, chemical, and flooring industries. In this role, he leads the integration of Shaw's supply chain operations across all three business units, ensuring seamless delivery and an exceptional customer experience.  Throughout his career, Scot has held leadership roles spanning manufacturing operations, research and development, design, technical sales, and supply chain operations. He currently oversees a team of nearly 4,000 supply chain professionals across the United States, driving performance, efficiency, and customer satisfaction through collaboration and operational excellence.  A devoted family man, Scot and his wife of 33 years, Lisa, take pride in their daughter Sydney, who is building her own career in supply chain leadership.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clayton Griffin is the President of OTR Solutions, America’s most trusted freight factoring and logistics technology company. As President, Clayton develops and implements solutions, products, services, and partnerships that serve to provide market-leading value to OTR’s vast network of carrier and broker customers. He also works with the rest of the executive team to set the strategic vision, analyze M&A opportunities, and guide the company toward long-term growth. Clayton joined OTR Solutions (then OTR Capital) in 2012 and has held multiple leadership roles including Finance Manager, VP, Director of Finance, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin is a passionate and successful entrepreneur representing over $3 Billion in enterprise value across his five founding companies - a diverse portfolio of B2B service providers and intermediaries across a variety of industries, with a heavy focus on transportation. Kevin’s expertise and leadership have notable impacts on the sustained growth of his core transportation businesses, NTG (multimodal brokerage), OTR (factoring), MIG (insurance) and PayHawk (payment processing), for over 15 years. In this time, Kevin has operated through several private equity phases, alongside three of the top 300 private equity firms. After several successful exits, Kevin launched Sope Creek Capital with the goal of empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs through strategic guidance and operational excellence.  In his spare time, which is often hard to come by, Kevin enjoys golfing, boating and spending time with his family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott founded Truckstop in 1995 with a mission to create a “better way” for freight professionals to work. As an early pioneer of the online load board, Scott helped revolutionize how freight moves across the country, making the process more efficient and transparent for carriers and brokers alike.   With a background in technology and a passion for solving complex problems, Scott grew Truckstop from a basement startup to a leading trusted brand in the transportation industry. Over the years, his vision and leadership have driven innovation and set the foundation for Truckstop’s ongoing growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Kennedy is the co-founder and CEO of Platform Science. Previously, Jack was the President of Qualcomm Enterprise Services. Prior to Qualcomm, Jack served at News Corp where he held roles as the Executive Vice President of News Corp Digital Media, Executive Vice President of Fox Interactive Media, and Senior Vice President of Fox Network Group. During this period, Jack oversaw activities leading the digital transition of News Corp from a traditional media company into a “digital first” organization. During his tenure, he was part of the joint Fox/NBC Universal team that created the joint venture now known as “Hulu,” and the launch of one of the digital advertising technology companies, The Rubicon Product (RUBI:NASDAQ). He was responsible for a $2B+ portfolio of over two dozen digital assets. Jack retired as a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves in 2016, after serving as a founding team member of DiUX, the Department of Defense’s recently established Silicon Valley presence. His career included multiple combat deployments, tours in Washington D.C. which included serving on the staff of U.S. Senator John McCain, and as the Aide de Camp to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Jack holds a BS in Economics and Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and an MBA from the Harvard Business School and was a Legis Fellow of the Brookings Institution. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for ATN International, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don has over 20 years of experience in the transportation and logistics sector, with proven success in advancing digital transformation, forging key industry collaborations, and leading growth strategies. Before joining Transflo, he held senior leadership roles at Knight-Swift Transportation and FreightVana, where he drove innovative solutions and cultivated lasting partnerships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yannik Thomas is Vice President, Network Design & Optimization at Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies, moving approximately 7 million rail shipments each year across 19,300 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia. NS serves every major container port in the eastern US and operates the most extensive Intermodal network in the East. Yannik is responsible for designing NS’ network and service products to provide reliable and efficient service to rail shippers. He also leads technology investment and product management across Transportation and Intermodal Operations. He previously held leadership roles in Intermodal Operations and in Finance. Prior to joining NS, he spent 12 years with management consulting firm, Oliver Wyman, advising Fortune-500 Transportation and Industrial clients on strategy, finance, operations, and technology topics. Yannik holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo in Canada and a Master of Business Administration from the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) in France. He serves on the boards of The Belt Railway of Chicago, The Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad, Pan AM Southern, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices