THE BRIDGE
Group 11 LEADERSHIP GRADUATION
Congratulations Extreme Leader Graduates!
Nate Alexander
Alec Noble
Zach Smith
Mitch Wilson
Melissa Morrison
Laura Pedersen
Seleatha Carter
Leah Nowak
Garrett Higginbotham
Denigh Elizabeth
Philip Cross
Michael Davis
Trey Oliver
Coulson Vaughn
Chris Nelson
Connor Leach
Ramon Rivas
David Vasquez
Ruben Montero
The Extreme Leadership graduation marks the completion of Trailer Bridge’s in-house leadership program, guided by CEO Mitch Luciano, VP of Marketing and Communications, Whitney Ennis, and VP of Employee Services Kacy Swanson. Over several months, participants engaged in three, 2-day sessions which provided essential skills and insights to mentor and lead the next generation. By fostering a deep appreciation for the culture of service that drives TB’s success, the Extreme Leadership program ensures that new leaders are well-prepared to uphold and enhance these values as Trailer Bridge continues to grow.
Introducing Extreme Leadership Group 12
Becca Simpson | Inga Hysaj | Clark Ellis | Ron Lewis | Zach Alexander
Noah Searcy | Matt Lowery | John Marques | Aren Sassounian
Ryan Giblin | Pablo Londono | Matt Fitzgerald | Dency Montalvo
Clay Poole | Juan Diaz | Diana Mejia | Jason Thomas | Jason Trubenbach
Ed Bevilacqua | Chad Lee
Each year, our President of Logistics, Eric Masotti, makes annual industry predictions on things like container pricing, TEU capacity, diesel fuel pricing and spot rates. Last month Eric hosted a Smart Meeting where he shared how his predictions were shaping up for the year.
One of the biggest takeaways covered in this virtual chat is that import container volumes remain high and for that reason, transpacific container pricing is currently in the $15-20K range—much more than anyone expected. While Eric did predict an increase, the numbers have far exceeded his expectation of the 3-4K range. Dry van spot rates are still a little behind the ball to hit his predicted rate of $2.39 but there is still time, and he is hopeful it could happen by the end of the year. There is also still a chance for class 8 truck orders to reach the peak of 45k. However, right now we are only about halfway there at 23K. Finally, it was the second year in a row in predicting the 49ers would win the Super Bowl and unfortunately it fell short with a subsequent win for the Kansas City Chiefs.
To watch the full conversation, access the video in your Learning Library through Paycor.
Customer Survey Results are In!
“I have had 2 different reps for Trailer Bridge. Both have been stellar at their jobs. Sidney, the first one, was great. Clay, the current one does a bang up job as well.”
– Powerline Hardware
“As the money person here, I deal with Jorge Martinez, and he is professional and responsive. The team that orders trucks etc. uses TB and has only good words for them.”
“You have an excellent work team. Starting with my saleswoman Lynette Delgado, who stops being her to be ours. She solves even the smallest detail; she never tells you NO. She is no longer a supplier, she’s family. Follow my Account Manager, Joisy Rivera, also excellent. She’s not left with doubts, she always asks and always follows up due to all our shipments. And last but not least, Adela Hysaj, who from her position is aware of everything that is happening with the shipments. In short, you have a work team like no other.” – Supermax
“I have had incredibly positive experiences consistently with Alec Noble & Matt Fitzgerald. Whether it is a complicated last minute expedited team load, running our usual lanes smoothly, or responding to requests in an extremely timely manner, they are the best to work with. I know I can always count on them!” – US Foods
“Almost exclusively work with Crystal DeLeon Diaz. She does absolutely excellent work for us” – PACCAR Global Sales, USA
“Justin Marques is the greatest he follows thru and stays on top of every detail until the shipment has arrived in Puerto Rico. Trailer Bridge Team has done well for our business in Puerto Rico.
Ann Jones (Phelps) was our customer service for years and did a wonderful job. Then she used her experience to train Justin. It’s the team effort that makes the difference.”
– Containerboard Marketing DIV of Paper Products Marketing
“These guys have never once failed me no matter the request. They deserve much more than this little bit of recognition: George Mangan, David Vasquez, Tom Mayfield” – KeHE
“Melissa is amazing to work with. Always reaching out ready to help and is very responsive to our request adjusting on the fly. When Melissa is handling our freight we feel confident it will get done the way we expect.”
– VPL Logistics
“I personally have only been working on the logistics side of out company for a few months but as an organization we have used TB for years. Jeanine Mader has been our point of contact and she is awesome. We are a CAT dealership and twice a year do large returns from Arizona to Illinois. Jeanine has it dialed in to the point I mostly have to just call and give her a date to start loading and total number of trucks (many times over 20). She takes care of the rest. We did have some issues with billing for the last one but she was on top of it calling personally to give updates on what was going on and eventually got us det up with Melanee Hill as our point of contact and it has been smooth sailing since. We also use for expedited when a flat bed is needed of interstate and without fail trucks are scheduled and work in a timely manner. Very happy with TB and look forward to years more of working with them.”
– Empire Southwest LLC
Port Tour with Mercedes Benz!
Senior Account Manager, Crystal Diaz, recently took Mercedes Parts Manager, Sean McGirr and his colleague to visit Trailer Bridge’s Blount Island Terminal Operations. Mercedes has been shipping with Trailer Bridge for over 20 years and currently moves about 120 vehicles annually.
Trailer Bridge Recognized in the Fast 50
We’re thrilled to announce that Trailer Bridge has made it onto the Jacksonville Business Journal’s Fast 50 list! We’re eagerly anticipating the August reception to find out our official ranking.
Team Spotlight Logistics Accounting
After your freight moves with a customer, the logistics accounting department plays a crucial role in managing the financial aspects of the transaction. Logistics Accounting is a support department for the logistics division and helps ensure all customers are invoiced, carriers are paid and supporting documentation is collected and on file. Here’s what Director of Logistics Support, Melissa Morrison, had to share about her team:
How has restructuring the team helped to increase efficiency for the department?
Restructuring the team has significantly increased efficiency by merging Accounts Receivable (AR) and Accounts Payable (AP) into dedicated customer groups. Customers benefit from having these dedicated representatives, ensuring consistent support and eliminating previous delays in service and billing when team members were unavailable. The creation of a dedicated collections team has been invaluable with the team focused on past due accounts, invoicing follow-ups, and correcting mis-bills, which allows the accounting team to maintain focus on invoicing without interruptions. This reorganization has fostered internal collaboration, led to key promotions like Inga Hysaj
to Manager of Collections, and added talented hires such as Cory Stanford, Manager of AR/AP, resulting in enhanced focus and performance.
What are some ways your group helps the Logistics Sales and Ops Reps to service their accounts and get paid?
The goal of Logistics Support is to handle all administrative tasks, allowing the Logistics Sales and Ops Reps to focus on winning more freight, covering loads, and growing our business. The Support team is the back-end extension of the service we promise our customers and carriers.
Team Milestones:
• 76% reduction in un-invoiced revenue over 30 days
• 45% decrease in all un-invoiced revenue
• 52% reduction in over 90-day aging
• Reduced unapplied cash by 80%
• Carrier paperwork processing cut down to 3 days
Kacy Swanson and Jennifer Gutierrez Enhance Their Skills at SHRM Conference in Chicago
Kacy Swanson and Jennifer Gutierrez attended the Society of Human Resources (SHRM) conference in Chicago earlier this month for three days of professional development and learning. They also enjoyed a stop by the Chicago office to spend some time with the team.
Kacy shares some of her top takeaways from the conference in our latest TB Blog.
Read the bog here.
Kacy Swanson was featured in a local SHRM webinar and spoke on development strategies for your career. She included tips on developing your personal brand, leveraging your network, the basics of using AI and the power of mentorship.
Florida Highway Patrol Safety Seminar
Officer Favors of the Florida Highway Patrol conducted a Safety Seminar with our maintenance team earlier this month to educate and provide an overview of the requirements for motor carriers operating within Florida. We are grateful for his visit and the opportunity to learn more about how to keep TB rolling in compliance!
Team Visits Feeding Northeast Florida’s Expanded Facility to Enhance Freight Support
Capacity Manager, Adam Baltzell, manages freight movements for Feeding Northeast Florida, a local food bank that distributes over 31 million pounds of food across eight counties annually! Adam along with Becky Simon and Alejandro Rodriguez from the Marketing & Communications team visited the newly expanded facility to explore how we can better support their shipping needs.
Making Waves at the Jacksonville Beach Party
Jacksonville Employees enjoyed a day of fun in the sun at Trailer Bridge’s Annual Beach Party! This family-friendly event featured games, toys, surf instructors and an opportunity to connect with co-workers in the sand. A special thank you to Catherine Boyer Porter for all the hard work that goes into planning this event!
Conflict and Communication
Our S.E.E.D. program delivers microlearning content straight from your Paycor Learning Management System each month to support a culture of learning. These videos help sharpen your soft skills and provide topics for you to discuss with your manager about your professional development.
This month’s S.E.E.D. focus is all about tools to navigate conflict with improved communication by learning more about:
August Courses:
• Good Communication
• Identifying and Exceeding Customers’ Needs
• Stress Awareness Comes First
Find these classes and more in your PayCor portal under the People tab on your left-hand search bar. In this section, you’ll see ‘Learning Management System’ which unlocks these benefits for you.
If you have trouble accessing your learning, contact communications@trailerbridge.com
Each month Trailer Bridge offers employees 12 free credits that can be used towards self-care or workout classes – like HOT YOGA.
A few of our Jacksonville team members recently took a hot yoga class together after work – a few of them for the first time. Don’t lose your credits – grab a friend, book a class and prioritize your selfcare this month. Don’t forget to take advantage of your
TB Well Highlight
Fun in the sun!
Our TB Well committee recently brightened everyone’s day with ‘Fun in the Sun’ bags to make the most of your summer while staying healthy and active!
Your kit includes:
• Sunscreen - most effective if applied 15-20 minutes before soaking in the rays
• Lip Balm - the SPF formula moisturizes and protects
• Hand Sanitizer - perfect for outdoor adventures
• Gatorade Powder - mix with water for a hydrating drink that replaces fluids and minerals
If you did not receive your kit, please reach out to wellnesscommittee@trailerbridge.com.
To stay hydrated this summer, make your own electrolyte-replenishing drink with the following recipe:
• 1 cup Coconut Water: Rich in potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium.
• 1 tbsp Raw Honey: Primarily a source of natural sugars for quick energy, honey also contains trace amounts of various minerals, including potassium and magnesium.
• 1 Lemon, juiced: Provides vitamin C and small amounts of electrolytes like potassium and magnesium.
• 1/8 tsp Himalayan Salt: Contains sodium and a variety of other trace minerals, essential for maintaining electrolyte balance.
Sales Spotlight
The following individuals have done a great job building relationships and securing large customers as we kick off Q3!
Kari Gomez, TBI Team Lead, brought on Correa Tire Distributers, a large tire, wheel and auto repair shop with locations all over the island of Puerto Rico.
Cehila Diaz, Commercial Sales Executive from the Dominican Republic also landed Xsis Partners, who can help generate revenue for Trailer Bridge International! Cheers to Cehila’s success and growing TBI!
Daniel Daragjati, who was recently promoted to Logistics Sales Executive, has had major sales wins! He recently brought on MGP Ingredients for Trailer Bridge International, after expanding that relationship which started over the road. In June, he generated over $102k in margin from 14 accounts with 6 brand new accounts added so far in 2024. Keep up the great work, Daragjati!
In the Chicken Lights’ is a monthly feature that profiles standout performers in carrier management.
This month we are excited to spotlight the efforts of Chase Smith from our Kansas City logistics office.
Impressively, 40% of all his freight is managed through just seven carriers. His remarkable success stems from his commitment to doing things right the first time. With a bounce rate of only 7%, Chase ensures that his loads are booked correctly 93% of the time! On his desk, Chase has a constant reminder to focus on his attitude and actions. Cheers to Chase for his dedication and continued success in KC!
When we asked Chase how he does it, here’s what he had to say “
“You have little control over what happens to you, you have 100 percent control over the meaning you give it. The only 2 things you can control is your attitude and your actions”
Glynn Riddle
Our Driver of the Month for July is Mr. Glynn Riddle!
Glynn is an exceptional example of a safe driver and a dedicated team member here at Trailer Bridge. Each day, he brings his positive energy and consistently strives to deliver every load on time and without incident.
Outside of work, Glynn enjoys gardening, spending quality time with his wife and adult children, and serving as a preacher at his local church.
Thank you, Glynn, for being such a wonderful representative for Trailer Bridge. We truly appreciate all that you do!
Congrats to all TB team members who were recognized as this quarter’s award winners!
Customer Service: Ryan Hunter
Operational: Catfish
Safety: Brandon Powell (Rooster)
Makenzie Laveck
Alfonso Camacho
Promotions & Changes
Adam Baltzell CAPACITY MANAGER
Nathan Alexander ACCOUNT MANAGER, LEAD
Bradley Schummer SENIOR PRICING ANALYST
Nathaniel Little ACCOUNTANT I
Daniel Daragjati LOGISTICS SALES EXECUTIVE
Caroline Gonsalves LOGISTICS ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR
TB12 of the Month: Be Passionate and Determined
“Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don’t let anyone limit your dreams.”
– Donovan Bailey
New Hires
Paola Lanfranc
INTERMODAL SALES AND OPS
Jake Mills LSOPS JAX
Zach Meisner COORDINATOR, SUPPORT SERVICES
Ryan Padgett AR COORDINATOR
Noah Beegle LSOPS JAX
Andres Fonseca
LOGISTICS SALES AND OPERATIONS
Clark Elkins
BRANCH MANAGER
Tyler Harris
LOGISTICS SALES AND OPERATIONS
Erica Simmons COORDINATOR, SUPPORT SERVICES
Armoni Willis
LOGISTICS ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR
Tyler Lippy
LOGISTICS SALES AND OPERATIONS
Nathan Niedel AR COORDINATOR
Bryson Sprayberry
LOGISTICS SALES AND OPERATIONS
Sylvia Torres VEHICLE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Upcoming Birthdays
AUG 1
August 2024 Work
August 13th
S.E.E.D.S Virtual Chat
Spotlight on Intermodal with Brent Neary
August 14th
JOB CORPS AT NBR
August 22th
TOWN HALL
August 26th
COFFEE TRUCK AT NBR
Andrew Carrillo
AUG 2
Maya King
Aren Sassounian
AUG 7
Pablo Salazar
AUG 8
Ramon Rivas
AUG 9
Robert Watson
AUG 10
Chad Henson
Chris Nelson
Mitchell Gibbs
AUG 11
Michel Normil
AUG 12
Connor Leach
AUG 13
Trevor Bearup
Jillmari Aviles
Melissa Oehlerking
Matthew Fitzgerald
AUG 14
Wanda Gordon
AUG 16
Tommy Fencel
AUG 18
Nicholas Riemer
AUG 19
Casey Potter
AUG 20
Nicole Bonner
AUG 21
Wildia Cruz
Philip Cros
AUG 22
Corey Richards
AUG 23
Alfonso Camacho
Madison Coulter
AUG 27
Demetrius Wilson
AUG 29
Miguel Reyes
Zachary Smith
AUG 30
Jake Langlois