Traffic Jam Podcast
The Traffic Club of Chicago is very excited to announce that our new Podcast series has begun! This new platform will be an opportunity for members and non-members to learn from masters who are shaping the future of supply chain and logistics in an ever-changing global marketplace. Join us as we take on “hot topics” with industry leaders preparing us for the challenges that the future holds. Industry leaders will include executives of shipping and manufacturing companies, economists, entrepreneurs and technology experts, to name a few.
This new series is part of our ongoing mission to supply our membership with insightful and relevant information about the industry, while using technology to grow membership and our brand awareness. If you have asked yourself how can I create more value from my membership or meet cutting edge industry leaders, this is your chance to take advantage of what the Traffic Club has to offer.
Want to get involved? Reach out to staff to learn how you can participate as a sponsor or guest!
Episode 26 - Matt Silver, Co-Founder of Cargado
In this episode of the Traffic Club of Chicago podcast, 'Traffic Jam', Michael Westergren interviews Matt Silver, Co-Founder of Cargado.
Matt got his start in transportation and logistics at the age of 19 working for Coyote Logistics, his family business. He spent over a decade there and launched their Mexico business.
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Episode 25 - Matt DiPilato, Vice President Sales & Market Strategy, Arka Express
Matt DiPilato is an experienced and motivated professional with a diverse background in operations, account management, sales, procurement, marketing, and leadership. He holds an MBA with an emphasis on Challenges in Global Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of Illinois, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Additionally, he holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Montana, which has provided him with a strong foundation in financial analysis, planning and decision making. Currently, he is the Vice President of Commercial Strategy & Sales at Arka Express Inc. where he is responsible for overseeing all sales activity, growth forecasting, and resource allocation. He has successfully grown the company's sales revenues and developed new multi-million dollar clients. He has also held leadership positions at C.H. Robinson, Schneider National, and Circle Logistics where he was responsible for new business development and securing high-value accounts through consultative selling.
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Episode 24 - Dr. Daniel T. Behr, Behr & Associates, Inc.
In this episode of the Traffic Jam Podcast, Michael Westergren intreviews Dr. Daniel T. Behr regarding North American general economic trends. Dr. Behr is a long-time member of the Traffic Club of Chicago. He has served on the Board of Directors for multiple terms, and he currently holds the title of Finance Committee Chair Emeritus.
Dr. Behr holds a PhD in Applied Economics from the prestigious University of Antwerp in Belgium, which is a core, leading institution behind TransportNet, a consortium consisting of six other leading European universities in the field of transportation, logistics and infrastructure. He is an experienced, international consultant in multiple business sectors.
Mike Regan, Chief of Relationship Development, TranzAct Technologies, Inc.
Our guest speaker from our July Executive Series Luncheon was Mike Regan, Chief of Relationship Development, TranzAct Technologies, Inc.
Mike discussed the 2023 market and provided an outlook for our industry specifically regarding LTL and package express.
Mr. Regan is well known and active within the logistics industry. He serves on the Boards of numerous industry groups such as the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) and also served on the Board of Transportation Intermediaries Association and the National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council (NASSTRAC), as the Chairman of the Advocacy Committee. Click here to read more.
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Episode 23 - Tom Schmitt, CEO, Forward Air
Prior to joining Forward, Schmitt served as Management Board Member and Chief Commercial Officer for DB Schenker, a $20 billion global logistics company. With 20 years of experience in executive management for public and private companies, Schmitt also served as President, CEO and Director of Aqua Terra, Canada's leading provider of natural spring water, and President, CEO and Director of Purolator, Canada's top parcel and freight transportation company.
Prior to joining Purolator, Schmitt spent 12 years at FedEx in Memphis, Tennesseee, where he served as CEO of FedEx Supply Chain and Senior Vice President of FedEx Solutions. He also held senior roles at McKinsey & Company.
Schmitt holds an MBA as a Baker Scholar from Harvard Business School and received his bachelor's degree in European Business Administration from Middlesex University in London.
Episode 22 - Bill Cassidy, Senior Editor at Journal of Commerce
In this episode of the Traffic Club of Chicago podcast, 'Traffic Jam', Michael Westergren interviews Bill Cassidy, Senior Editor at Journal of Commerce.
Episode 21 - Daniel B. Maffei, Chairman, Federal Maritime Commission
Daniel B. Maffei is an experienced public servant who serves as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission since being appointed to the position by President Biden in 2021. Under his Chairmanship, the Commission has reinvigorated its enforcement efforts, prioritized helping U.S. export shippers, and established several new initiatives to address supply chain congestion and efficiency challenges.
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Episode 20 - Paul Titterton, President, Rail North America, GATX
In this episode of the Traffic Club of Chicago podcast 'Traffic Jam', Mike Westergren interviews Paul Titterton, President, Rail North America at GATX.
Paul Titterton is GATX’s President, Rail North America. Since joining GATX in 1997, Mr. Titterton has served in a variety of increasingly responsible roles throughout the company. Mr. Titterton holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Harvard College and is a CFA charterholder. He is married with three children and splits his time between Chicago and Shrewsbury, Vermont.
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Episode 19 - Drew Wilkerson, President, North American Transportation, XPO Logistics
In this episode of the Traffic Club of Chicago podcast 'Traffic Jam', Mike Westergren interviews Drew Wilkerson, President, North American Transportation at XPO Logistics.
Drew Wilkerson is a transportation industry veteran with 14 years of senior experience in brokerage operations. He has leadership and P&L responsibility for XPO's asset-light North American truck brokerage business and complementary brokered services of managed transportation, last mile logistics and global freight forwarding.
Mr. Wilkerson joined XPO in 2012 to spearhead the growth of the company’s flagship truck brokerage hub in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was subsequently promoted to regional vice president and then president of XPO’s North American brokerage business, and in 2020, he was named president of North American Transportation. Prior to XPO, he held leadership positions in sales, operations, and customer and carrier relationship management with C.H. Robinson Worldwide.
Mr. Wilkerson will become chief executive officer of XPO's planned spin-off of its tech-enabled brokered transportation platform (RXO) when the new public company is created later this year.
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Episode 18 - Ted Prince, Chief Strategy Officer, Tiger Cool Express LLC
Mr. Prince is a co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Tiger Cool Express LLC, a startup dedicated to rail intermodal transportation of temperature-controlled freight.
Mr. Prince has spent his career of 40+ years in the transportation industry.
He has worked in all surface freight modes of transportation in numerous functional areas. He also had his own consulting company.
He is a past chairman of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) and was a founding Board member of the University of Denver’s Intermodal Transportation Institute (ITI.)
He has published over 400 articles and columns.
Episode 17 - Josh Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer at Norfolk Southern
In this episode of the Traffic Club of Chicago podcast 'Traffic Jam', Mike Westergren interviews Josh Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer at Norfolk Southern.
Appointed Chief Sustainability Officer in 2020, Raglin leads Norfolk Southern’s sustainability strategy by championing sustainable practices in the company’s daily operations to achieve efficiencies, control costs, generate revenue, and reduce environmental impacts. These efforts include close collaboration with department leaders company-wide, along with external stakeholders such as customers, investors, suppliers, and communities.
Raglin joined Norfolk Southern in 1996 as a Forest Ranger at Brosnan Forest, the company’s 14,400 acre conference and research facility in South Carolina. He would continue rising through the ranks at Brosnan Forest before being named General Manager Facilities in 2006.
For two decades, Josh led the railroad’s efforts to create a nature-based solutions platform. This innovative approach optimizes multiple ecological assets such as forest carbon sequestration, wetland and stream restoration, and land conservation while generating revenues from both forestry and traditional land-management practices.
He shares his experience with the next generation of environmentalists by serving on college advisory boards for Auburn University, Clemson University, and Georgia Tech. He also serves the greater community as an active board member with several conservation groups, including The Longleaf Alliance and Drawdown Georgia.
Raglin earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology from Oklahoma State University.
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Episode 16 - Mike Burton, President and CEO of C&K Holdings Acquisition L.L.C.
Michael Burton is President and CEO of C&K Holdings Acquisition L.L.C. since 2003, when he led the leveraged buyout of C&K Holdings. C&K Holdings Acquisition L.L.C is the parent company of C&K Trucking, LLC; Skyline Express, LLC; and AV Logistics, LLC. C&K completes over 400,000 intermodal drayage moves annually and has demonstrated above-industry revenue growth for the past ten years. C&K operates in excess of 800 tractors and provides International Logistics solutions to some of the largest retailers/manufactures in the US, through its AV Logistics subsidiary.
Prior to his career at C&K, Mr. Burton was Senior Vice President and Division Head of Commercial Lending at LaSalle Bank N.A. In this position, he provided financial and capital structure guidance to middle market companies.
Mr. Burton is an active member in multiple industry associations including the Illinois Trucking Association Advisory Board, as President, the Intermodal Association of Chicago, the Traffic Club of Chicago, CMAP’s Freight Advisory Committee, and the Northwestern Transportation Center’s Advisory Board.
Mr. Burton is involved in several charitable and civic boards including Misericordia’s Advisory Board, Village of Glenview’s Planning Commission and the Village of Glenview’s Ten year Strategic Plan Committee.
Mr. Burton holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a business degree from the University of Illinois.
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Episode 15 - Mathew DiPilato, TCC Young Professionals Chair, Valerie Pierucci, TCC Young Professionals Vice Chair
In this episode of the Traffic Club of Chicago podcast, Justin Sorto interviews Mathew DiPilato and Valerie Pierucci - Chair and Vice Chair of the Young Professionals Commitee at the Traffic Club of Chicago. Mathew and Valerie discuss the Young Professionals commitee in detail. How you can get involved, how they found TCC and the YP commitee, upcoming events, hopes for the future and much more!
Mathew DiPilato aka "Depo" is Traffic Club of Chicago's Secretary Executive Board Member, Founder, & Chair of the Young Professionals Commitee. He is also Vice President of Commercial Strategy & Sales at Arka Express Inc. (Asset - U.S. Truckload). He is responsible for organizational strategy, sales growth, and marketing activities.
Valerie Pierucci is the Vice Chair of the Traffic Club of Chicago's Young Professionals Committee. She is also the Manager of Strategic Customers for DHL Global Forwarding and is responsible for securing new customers in the strategic size category and growing existing customers in the Central region of the US.
Episode 14 - Kristina Chambers, Past President, Traffic Club of Chicago & Josh Chesser, Current President, Traffic Club of Chicago
In this episode of the Traffic Club of Chicago podcast, Justin Sorto interviews Kristina Chambers and Josh Chesser - Past and Current Presidents of the Traffic Club of Chicago. Kristina and Josh discuss anything and everything TCC related - from how they got involved, to the challenges and opportunities the last two years have brought.
Kristina Chambers is the Chief Data Officer at TTX Company in Chicago, Illinois. TTX is North America’s largest provider of railcars and rail-related services. She leads a data science and strategic planning team to design, develop, and implement innovative solutions that optimize railcar maintenance and maximize operational and business efficiencies. Before joining TTX in 2013, Kristina held senior leadership positions in Finance and Operations at General Electric across multiple business units in the US and Europe.
Josh Chesser is the General Manager of Chicago Freight Car Leasing. Chicago Freight Car Leasing Co., a business unit of Sasser Family Holdings, Inc., is an independent railcar leasing solutions company that maintains a diverse railcar fleet supporting the needs of industrial, agricultural, and food products shippers and railroads throughout North America.
Episode 13 - Keith Prather, Managing Director, Armada Corporate Intelligence
In this episode of the Traffic Club of Chicago podcast, Keith Prather, Managing Director, Armada Corporate Intelligence, will discuss economic trends for transportation professionals.
Mr. Keith Prather (MBA) is a Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence and one of the companies’ co-founders. During his ten plus years as Armada’s primary strategist, he has worked with Fortune 500 companies on everything from merger and acquisition strategy to key account management, strategic planning and corporate marketing efforts. He has developed a number of proprietary analytical tools that have been used by companies of all sizes. These include tools designed to position a company in its competitive market, forecasting of competitive movements in an industry sector, identification of the impact of competitive scenarios, and strategic optioning for high-level corporate strategy. He has worked with teams to understand supply chain and strategic business activities in key account programs with companies such as Wal-Mart, Honeywell, GE, Toyota, Boeing, US Department of Defense, FEMA, and many others.
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Episode 12 - Wendy Buckley, President, Specialty Transportation and Regulatory Services (STARS)
In this episode of the Traffic Club of Chicago podcast, Wendy Buckley, President of Specialty Transportation and Regulatory Serivces, will discuss travel rules and restrictions for hazardous materials that TCC members should be aware of as we enter the holiday season. She will also discuss new regulations on the horizon for shipping hazardous materials.
As President of Specialty Transportation and Regulatory Services (STARS), a hazardous materials consulting firm, Ms. Buckley is a dedicated hazardous materials transportation expert committed to protecting workers, citizens, the environment, and capital assets by improving safety, increasing regulatory compliance and managing risk. She has a Master Certificate in Project Management, a Master of Science in Environmental, Safety, & Health Management, and over 20 years of experience with private industry and state and federal agencies. Ms. Buckley travels around North America speaking about hazardous materials and transportation issues important to the industry and is the proud recipient of numerous leadership and business awards including: Woman of the Year, Top Professional of the Year, Top Female Executive, and others.
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Episode 11 - Keith Prather, Managing Director, Armada Corporate Intelligence
During this podcast, Keith gives us his economic outlook for the year ahead.
Mr. Keith Prather (MBA) is a Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence and one of the companies’ co-founders. During his ten plus years as Armada’s primary strategist, he has worked with Fortune 500 companies on everything from merger and acquisition strategy to key account management, strategic planning and corporate marketing efforts. He has developed a number of proprietary analytical tools that have been used by companies of all sizes. These include tools designed to position a company in its competitive market, forecasting of competitive movements in an industry sector, identification of the impact of competitive scenarios, and strategic optioning for high-level corporate strategy. He has worked with teams to understand supply chain and strategic business activities in key account programs with companies such as Wal-Mart, Honeywell, GE, Toyota, Boeing, US Department of Defense, FEMA, and many others.
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Watch & Listen Now (Audio & Video)
Episode 10 - Jeffrey R. Leppert, Senior Vice President at Redwood Logistics
Jeff develops Redwood's commercial strategies for their enterprise mode and service offerings, helping forge value between their customers, carriers and people. These strategies include Redwood's various modes, service lines, business units and technologies.
Prior to his current commercial role, Jeff lead contract brokerage for Redwood Logistics, including their asset light intermodal division with North American coverage. The foundational knowledge & customers for Redwood's intermodal division are steeled from The Treppel Group, LLC, a company Jeff founded in 2008 and merged into Redwood in July 2013.
Jeff is backed by over 20 years of supply chain experience, Past President of The Traffic Club of Chicago, and active member in Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) and Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).
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CN, Chicago and the EJ&E
The Traffic Club of Chicago linked to episode 60 of the CN Grain Insights Podcast series, hosted by David Przednowek, to educate our members on the history of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway and its importance to CN's network today. This episode, CN, Chicago and the EJ&E, was recorded on July 22, 2019 and describes the local history of this leading transportation service provider.
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Episode 9 - Martin Lew, Founder & CEO at Commtrex
Mr. Martin Lew is the CEO/Founder of Commtrex, the largest electronic Marketplace for rail shippers to directly connect with railcar owners, transloaders, storage facilities, rail services and industry data. Prior to Commtrex, Mr. Lew was the Head of Sales and Origination for Mabanaft Coal Trading (America and Europe), Vice President on the Coal and Environmental Markets Trading Desk within J.P. Morgan's Global Commodities Group, Associate for the North American Emissions and Coal Group at Bear Stearns, and CEO/Co-Founder of Equate Systems. Martin has led the marketing and business development efforts for numerous software start-up companies. Mr. Lew holds a Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree with majors in Communications and Political Science from the University of Southern California.
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Episode 8 - Ken Adamo, Cheif of Analytics at DAT Solutions
Prior to joining DAT, Adamo developed rate forecasting models and advanced pricing principles as Manager of Decision Science and Innovation at FedEx Custom Critical.
Episode 7 - Mike Regan, Co-Founder and Chief of Relationship Development at TranzAct Technologies
Mr. Regan co-founded TranzAct Technologies in 1984 and is extremely well known and active within the logistics industry.
He serves or has served on the Board of numerous Supply Chain and Transportation industry groups and he is very active within other C-Level professional organizations such as YPO-WPO, CEO, L-3, and other professional executive associations. He has received numerous industry honors including CSCMP's Distinguished Service Award, the Natural Industrial Transportation League's McCullough Award and NASSTRAC's Cultrona Award and Member of the Year Award. He is also an inductee in the Chicago Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame. Mr. Regan is a featured blogger for Logistics Management and has been quoted in publications such as the Wall Street Journal and numerous other transportation and supply chain industry publications.
Episode 6 - Tong Zhu, Chief Commercial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer at The Northwest Seaport Alliance
Tong Zhu oversees the organization’s commercial team, including the alliance’s cargo and real estate businesses, marketing and research.
Zhu most recently served as the chief commercial officer at the Port of Tacoma since 2010. She joined the Port of Tacoma in 2007. As chief commercial officer, she managed the activities of the Port’s diversified business portfolio, including container, non‐container (breakbulk and RoRo), intermodal and real estate. She also oversaw the marketing, research and customer outreach activities of the Port’s business development teams.
Before joining the Port of Tacoma, Zhu managed international relations at the Port of Seattle and directed the State of Washington’s greater China trade development programs. With the state, she played a critical role in former Gov. Gary Locke’s successful China trade development programs and helped advance and finalize business contracts and international agreements.
A cum laude graduate of the University of Washington Tacoma with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Zhu is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Society. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Washington State China Relations Council, and the Boards of Directors of the Japan America Society of the State of Washington and the Evergreen Building Products Association.
Episode 5 - Bryan Vaughan, TCC Past President & Vice President of Sales and Marketing at VTG Rail
Episode 4 - Mark Montague, Trucking Industry Analyst, DAT Solutions LLC
Mark Montague’s career spans 37 years of transportation related activities starting as a dispatcher/analyst, moving into pricing and supply chain design.
Prior to joining DAT Solutions, Mark worked in 3rd party logistics at Ozburn-Hessey Logistics, Hub Group Distribution, and DSC Logistics. His primary focus has been on truckload and LTL pricing and negotiation with additional experience in quoting rail intermodal, ocean and air freight shipments. He has also worked consulting assignments and for brokerage and trucking companies in a variety of operational roles. Mark ‘s educational background includes an MBA in transportation from Indiana University and a BS in mathematics from Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI.
Episode 3 - Keith Prather, Managing Director, Armada Corporate Intelligence
Mr. Keith Prather (MBA) is a Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence and one of the companies’ co-founders. During his ten plus years as Armada’s primary strategist, he has worked with Fortune 500 companies on everything from merger and acquisition strategy to key account management, strategic planning and corporate marketing efforts. He has developed a number of proprietary analytical tools that have been used by companies of all sizes. These include tools designed to position a company in its competitive market, forecasting of competitive movements in an industry sector, identification of the impact of competitive scenarios, and strategic optioning for high-level corporate strategy. He has worked with teams to understand supply chain and strategic business activities in key account programs with companies such as Wal-Mart, Honeywell, GE, Toyota, Boeing, US Department of Defense, FEMA, and many others.
Keith is the chief editor and one of the two primary writers for the Armada Executive Intelligence Brief as well as for the Armada Industry Intelligence Briefs that have been developed for select industrial sectors. In addition, he writes contributions to an industry briefing for a major client in the transportation sector hitting more than 400,000 businesses weekly. He has also developed a comprehensive transportation index for a major client in the sector. Keith is also a public speaker for industry associations.
Keith has an MBA with a focused thesis on Corporate Intelligence and has experience in Asia. He is a former Chief Financial Officer and has an extensive background in data analysis. His family background is in the field of national security and this exposure informs the style and approach that Armada takes as it seeks to help executives prepare for the challenges they face.
Episode 2 - Ken Eriksen, Senior Vice President, Head of Client Advisory and Development, and Energy and Transportation at Informa/IHS Markit
Since joining IEG in 2001, Mr. Eriksen led the Transportation, Industrials and Energy Services team and co-led the project consulting practice
Mr. Eriksen regularly speaks on commodity, transportation and infrastructure issues and developments and is an expert witness in the area of transportation, logistics and supply-chain matters.
Prior to joining the company, Mr. Eriksen worked for USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service as an agricultural statistician. In that capacity, he conducted national surveys and set national estimates in agriculture.
Also while at USDA, he worked for the Agricultural Marketing Service on its transportation and marketing program, conducting research and analysis on domestic and international transportation issues.
Episode 1 - Randy Lewis, Retired Senior Vice President, Supply Chain & Logistics at Walgreens
As Senior Vice President Supply Chain and Logistics at Walgreens, Randy Lewis bet his career that he could create an inclusive workplace at one of America’s biggest corporations where people with disabilities could not just succeed but thrive. Randy designed and opened the first distribution facility of its kind to employ a significant number of people with disabilities (more than 40% of the workforce has a cognitive or physical disability.) Drawing inspiration from his autistic son, Randy has become a speaker and author on the topics of incorporating those with disabilities into the workforce.
Randy has created thousands of full-time jobs for people with disabilities. In his book, No Greatness without Goodness, he offers a firsthand account of what it takes to lead with courage in order to change people’s lives for the better. Randy’s motto is “What’s the use of having power if you don’t use it to do good.”
You can find his book, No Greatness without Goodness: How a Father’s Love Changed a Company and Sparked a Movement, on Amazon by clicking here.