Newsletter December 2023

ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 2023

THE BRIDGE IN THIS ISSUE: TB Named A Best Place to Work | Jamie Torres Reflects on Two Decades at TB | DR Team Celebrates Customers

TRAILER BRIDGE NAMED

A BEST PLACE TO WORK Our team members have spoken, and Trailer Bridge ranked #2 in the large company category for the Jacksonville Business Journal’s 2023 Best Places to Work award! This is the 7th year the company has earned this honor for its exceptional company culture.

The Best Places to Work award is unique because the results are not determined by a panel of judges, but by survey results from the company’s own employees.

To read the full blog, click here.

Here are a few responses submitted by Trailer Bridge team members for the 2023 JBJ Best Places to Work survey: “Trailer Bridge has given me the opportunity to use good industry practices as well as common sense. My manager allows me to do my job without feeling micromanaged but is 100% engaged so if I have any questions, he is available.”

“I love working at Trailer Bridge. It’s honestly the best job I’ve ever had. There is open and honest communication, we are treated with respect, and leadership listens to our suggestions and implements changes. Everyone here is willing to help each other above and beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”

“I have been beyond blessed to be part of Trailer Bridge and look forward to seeing the amount of growth and success we can achieve until the day I decide to retire. We are more than a great company to work for.

We are a family.”

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ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 2023

JAMIE TORRES REFLECTS ON TWO DECADES AT T R A I L E R B R I D G E

20 C H E E R S

TO

Y E AR S!

On December 8th, Maintenance Mechanic Jamie Torres will be celebrating his second decade working at Trailer Bridge.

As part of the company’s Puerto Rico terminal crew, Jamie is a key part of making sure operations run smoothly for our customers’ freight flowing in and out of the San Juan port.

To mark the occasion, we asked him to reflect on the time he has spent at TB.

What is the most rewarding part of your job at Trailer Bridge?

I like to see the face of each driver, union member, and customer when I help them. Their happiness is motivation to continue providing excellent service.

Why have you chosen to stay with Trailer Bridge for 20 years?

Each day is a different learning experience for me even after 20 years, and I hope for many more to go.

What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Trailer Bridge?

Everything I have done to ‘make things happen’ in a rush hour operation is motivation for me to do what I love. It would be an accomplishment for me to be remembered for all the goodness and work that I have done for many years.

What advice do you have for someone who is just joining Trailer Bridge?

My advice is to be original and love it!

ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 2023

A Night of Celebration in the Dominican Republic Trailer Bridge recently honored our friends in the Dominican Republic at our annual holiday cocktail party in Santo Domingo. Customers and partners were invited to celebrate another successful year together with the debut of Trailer Bridge International (TBI) in the DR. Moving forward, TBI will allow us to better serve this customer base by extending our shipping capabilities in the Caribbean to a global scale.

We’ll toast to that!

A M A N D A & B E C K Y H O N O R E D AT

WOMEN IN SUPPLY CHAIN FORUM Award recipients. This award is presented to women in logistics who are excelling in their own careers and championing other women in the industry to succeed.

In her role Becky is instrumental in equipping Trailer Bridge employees of all skill levels and backgrounds with the industry knowledge and soft skills to excel in their career. She brings an infectious level of enthusiasm for the logistics industry and is committed to helping others in the organization. In addition to leading new employee onboarding, she also hosts book club which covers both personal and professional growth topics, and co-leads TB Talks where she coaches employees on their public speaking skills.

Food Logistics Magazine and Supply and Demand Chain Executive recently hosted a power group of Trailer Bridge women at their Women in Supply Chain Forum: Vice President of Customer Experience Ann Phelps, Vice President of Marketing and Communications Whitney Croxton, LSOPS Team Lead Amanda Richterkraft, and Employee Engagement and Training Specialist Becky Simon.

In addition to attending the conference, there were also two award winners in the group. Becky Simon and Amanda Richterkraft were both honored at the Forum as 2023 Women in Supply Chain

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Amanda is a leader in Trailer Bridge’s Logistics Sales and Operations Division, where she pours her knowledge and years of industry experience into her team. Not only does she train them on the basics of booking loads and serving today’s shipper, but she teaches how to deliver exceptional customer service along the way. Her understanding and ability to connect with our customers and carriers has also led to her receiving raving reviews for her performance.

CONGRATULATIONS, BECKY AND AMANDA, FOR YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT! Read the full blog on the team’s experience here.

TAKEAWAYS

from Trailer Bridge’s Forum attendees: Whitney Croxton, Vice President of Marketing & Communication: Relationships matter and we must be intentional about building them.

Also, as a leader it is my responsibility to create and support an environment that supports and uplifts those around me.

Ann Phelps, Vice President of Customer Experience: Put yourself out there – no one will know who you are if you don’t. Be intentional, know your worth.

Becky Simon, Employee Engagement & Training Specialist: Connections matter! The industry is small – don’t ever burn bridges.

Building your network and having sponsorship from other professionals is paramount.

Amanda Richterkraft, Logistics Sales & Operations Team Lead: Know your worth! Don’t let imposter syndrome take over what you’re doing.

We belong in this industry, and we shouldn’t feel differently.

N AV I G A T I N G Y O U R C A R E E R V O YA G E :

A GUIDE FOR NATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT MONTH November is National Career Development month! In recognition of this holiday, Vice President of Employee Services Kacy Swanson shared a few tips on how to accelerate your career in our most recent blog.

Drawing from more than 10 years of experience in recruiting and human resources, Kacy advises incorporating the skills in the right coloumn into your professional development journey:

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Embrace Change & Flexibility

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Balance Work with Self-Care

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Harness Personal Branding

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Be Proactive

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Grow Your Network

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Evaluate Your Skill Set Inventory

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Volunteer to Obtain New Skills

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Seek out Mentorship for Guidance & Support

To read the full blog where Kacy expands on these elements of career success, click here.

WANT TO LEARN EVEN MORE ABOUT GROWING YOUR CAREER?

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Keep an eye out for the “Networking Like a Pro” Smart Meeting coming out at the end of December. In the meantime, check out these Paycom TB courses for more job-boosting training within Paycom: •

Building Your Personal Brand

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Goal Setting Through Organization

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Conflict Resolution: Use or Diffuse

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Languages of Appreciation at Work

4 THINGS EVERY SHIPPER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PA C K I N G R E F R I G E R AT E D F R E I G H T

A successful cold chain shipment requires much more than a reefer set to the correct temperature. How you pack your goods into the reefer also plays a significant role in ensuring they arrive intact.

In this blog, we share 4 things that all shippers should know about packing temperature sensitive freight to ensure it arrives at the destination fresh and intact.

You can be a resource for your cold chain customers by familiarizing yourself with the information to the right.

To read the full blog, click here.

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Understand How a Reefer Works

Universal Reefer Loading Guidelines

How to Pack Fresh Produce

Packing Methods for Chilled, Frozen, and Specialized Freight

TIP OF THE MONTH:

COMBATTING HOLIDAY FREIGHT FRAUD Don’t let a grinch steal your freight this holiday season! As we approach the end of the year, remember that long weekends and holidays are prime times for freight fraud and theft. Follow these tips from Carrier Relationship Manager Mike Davis to make sure your loads aren’t vulnerable to bad players: •

Make sure you have the driver’s phone numbers for all loads and call them to confirm it is correct.

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Use carriers you know, if possible. It is less likely for someone to steal from someone they know.

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ALWAYS be nice to your drivers. Happy drivers will go the extra mile to look out for you.

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For high risk or high value items, follow these additional precautions: •

Tell your driver he must stay with the load or keep the load in a secured yard

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Request the address of the yard your freight will be kept in and check Google maps to make sure that there is a yard there.

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Make sure the yard has a fence, gate, and security cameras. In ideal situations, there should also be a security guard, indoor trailer storage, or a wall to park against so trailer doors can’t be accessed.

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Ask your driver not to stop for the first 200 miles during longer hauls in case they are followed.

NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting Trailer Bridge attended the National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Fall meeting this year in Orlando, Florida. Chad Yarbrough, Chris Goss, James Cox, Eric Masotti and Whitney Croxton manned the booth at the show, sharing the company’s transportation capabilities with attendees in the government and military sector.

During the show, Trailer Bridge was honored as a recipient of the 2023 “NDTA Corportate Distinguished Service Award” in recognition of our support of the goals and aims of the organization.

ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 2023

Tony and Rosa Visit FEC Railway in Miami Vice President of Ocean Operations Tony Kvasnicka and Cargo Management and Customer Experience Manager Rosa Hernandez recently took a trip to Miami to strengthen our connection with our partners from Florida East Coast Railway. The visit included a meeting with David Banfield from the rail line and a tour of their Miami terminal.

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Logistics Accounting Catches Up With L.A. Branch Director of Logistics Support Melissa Morrison and Logistics Accounting Coordinators Jorge Martinez and Heather Wessinger recently visited TB’s Los Angeles Branch.

“Our trip to the Los Angeles Branch was really rewarding. Being able to collaborate in person was not only fun, but also productive.” said Melissa.

Hanging Out with the Atlanta Crew On their way to the Women in Supply Chain Forum, Becky, Amanda, Whitney, and Ann stopped by to spend time with the TB Atlanta team. They had a blast spending time with their long-distance teammates and newly promoted Branch Manager, Kevin Kata.

ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 2023

FreightWaves Future of Freight Festival FreightWaves Future of Freight Festival is a multi-day experience that combines the latest education, technology, and trends in the freight industry. Scott Douthitt, Kyle Olsen, Kevin Kata, and Mikel Davis were in the middle of all the action at the show in Chattanooga, TN and even got to try out a new simulator that was on display!

TB Focusing on Building Relation-ships Regional Sales Representative Jose Montalvo recently spent some time in the sun while meeting with Trailer Bridge customers at the Caribbean International Boat Show. “It was great being there representing Trailer Bridge and our customers were pleased we were there to show our support and appreciation,” said Jose.

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EMPLOYEE NEWS

Andrew Stivers staged the perfect proposal for his fiancé Sydnie Steele, and she said yes! Congratulations, Andrew and Sydnie!

Ashley Allen and her wife Takera Fincher said “I do!” on November 1, 2023. All the best wishes to the happy couple!

Congratulations to Justin Myatt and his wife Amber, who were married on November 10, 2023. Members of the Nashville team including Logan Lewis, Chris Nelson, and Ike Forrester celebrated the couple’s special day with them.

ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 2023

Welcome New Employees!

GARRETT HIGGINBOTHAM

JOE HARRELL

ERICA GRIGG

MANUEL ESCALANTE

Branch Manager Los Angeles

Accounts Receivable Coordinator Jacksonville

Trailer Mechanic Jacksonville

Support Services Coordinator Jacksonville

We can improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we become encouragers instead of critics.

– Joyce Meyer PAGE 18

Promotions & Changes

DAN SHERIDAN

Director of Truck Operations Jacksonville

LORAINE LABARCA

DAVID VASQUEZ

Employee Services Administrative Assistant Puerto Rico

GIL FITZGERALD

Accounts Receivable Coordinator Jacksonville

Operations Manager Chicago

MELANEE HILL Logistics Accounting Coordinator Jacksonville

HAZMAT Short for hazardous materials, it describes any type of freight that fits under the nine classes of hazardous materials defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

HAZMAT requires that a placard be placed on the vehicle that is carrying the hazardous freight.

ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 2023

December 2023 SUNDAY

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Click the committee logo to view upcoming events!

National Christmas Lights Day

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6 Quick Chat: Carrier Vetting

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Town Hall

Extreme Leadership Group 10 S4

Extreme Leadership Group 10 S4

Jacksonville Christmas Party

Graduation!

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Christmas Eve

Christmas

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Smart Meeting: 2024 Planning for the Road Ahead

Smart Meeting: Network Like a Pro

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New Years Eve

WORK ANNIVERSARIES

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS 1 Year

1

Jason Dowell

10

Russell Guy

Ariana Torres

1 Year

3

David Vasquez

10

Brian Herrick

13 Years

Stephanie Frazee

1 Year

4

Travis Chaires

10

Ariana Torres

11 Years

Charlene Salcedo

1 Year

4

Wyatt Mitchem

12

Chad Potts

Jacob Wegrzyn

11 Years

Chase Smith

1 Year

7

Melanee Hill

14

Ford Schroeder

Russell Guy

6 Years

Ryan Giblin

1 Year

8

Joshua Aviles

21

Zach Monger

Alida Hamidovic

5 Years

Matthew Lowery

1 Year

8

Luis Rosario

28

Destiny Ford

Brooke Cockrell

3 Years

Lindsay Brunson

1 Year

9

Adam Baltzell

28

Cheryl Kalin

Jaime Kata

1 Year

Alicia Gamez

26 Years

Jamie Torres

20 Years

Luis Rosario Kyle Jones

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Marisela Walker

DRIVER OF THE MONTH

DARRELL ORTON Here is what the Truck Ops and Safety team had to say about TB’s Driver of the Month: “Darrell began his career here at TB as an OTR driver and is now working as one of the “city boys.” Darrell’s dad was also a city driver here quite a few years ago, so he is carrying on the tradition. Darrell has such an infectious smile and laugh. He is always happy and willing to help his fellow teammates. He will gladly do anything asked of him. Even when issues arise, he takes it all in stride and does what he has to. He is such a pleasure to work with and is spoken of very highly by other drivers.”

DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW TRAILER BRIDGE!

WHAT DO YOU THINK? The Marketing Team wants your feedback, suggestions or stories for next month’s Bridge Please send to @Group–Marketing

PIC OF THE MONTH There is a lot of visual talent at TB, and we want to showcase your skills! We would like to feature a TB “Pic of the Month” submitted by a TB rockstar.

Please send to @Group–Marketing

ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 2023