The Bridge Newsletter - March 2024

THE B R IDGE

IN THIS ISSUE: Team Spotlight: Truck Ops | 2024 Branch Strategy Meeting

Seleatha Named A JBJ Rising Star | Financial Wellness

TEAM SPOTLIGHT TRUCK OPERATIONS

When you think of moving our ocean customers’ freight, you may think of containers traveling by barge but there is a whole other side to the equation. As soon as the containers touch land, the Truck Operations team takes over. Their job is to coordinate Trailer Bridge’s intricate network of landside assets, drivers, and transportation partners to ensure our shipments get where they need to be. Several processes go into achieving this goal, including:

• Local ocean container dispatch

• Planning and dispatch for ocean containers moving over-the-road and by rail

• Appointment scheduling for all ocean container bookings

• Distribution and movement of containers and chassis

• Ensuring ongoing functionality and maintenance of container and chassis

• Maintaining relationships with transportation partners including J.B. Hunt, FEC, CSX, & CBX

To learn more about the team, we talked to the Director of Truck Operations, Dan Sheridan.

What is unique about the Truck Operations team?

The truck ops team works with every department and touches all aspects of our company including ocean, intermodal, brokerage/transfers, maintenance, and equipment control. All modes of transport are utilized to move our freight to and from the vessels.

What is the most rewarding part of your work?

Watching multiple functions within our team work together in unison to keep freight moving via all modes of transportation to meet the deadlines of the vessel schedules.

What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

Dealing with typical load issues of schedules changing, driver issues, equipment imbalances, forcing everyone to be creative and solution oriented to MAKE IT HAPPEN!

What is one project or initiative your team is working on now?

We are working to modernize our equipment and utilize the available technologies to ease the pains of tracking and capitalize on usage rates, among other advantages. This includes yard management software for the New Berlin and Blount Island Terminal, container tracking devices to monitor usage and demurrage, and gate cameras to monitor accuracy of gate logs and see damages.

If you had to describe the Truck Operation team in 3-5 words, what would they be?

Systematic controlled daily chaos!

MITCH LUCIANO FEATURED IN SUPPLY CHAIN XCHANGE

The seemingly never-ending ups and downs of the past few years has left many with questions about the future of the freight industry. This month, our CEO Mitch was featured alongside three other industry experts in a thought leadership panel for Supply & Demand Chain XChange to address some of these questions and provide insight on what lies ahead. Here are a few of his responses:

Q: What is the current state of the logistics market in which you serve?

service. It really comes down to how you have shown up for your customers throughout the COVID years. Did you provide excellent service? Do you have a strong relationship with your customer? How you served your customers in the past few years is definitely influencing your success today.

“The market is being driven by service –everyone’s rates are pretty much the same, so the differentiator is your commitment to service.”

Mitch: We are currently in a tough logistics market with an imbalance of capacity and freight significantly impacting rates. The market is being driven by service – everyone’s rates are pretty much the same, so the differentiator is your commitment to

Q: What is the biggest single factor stifling potential growth in transportation markets?

Mitch: Right now, the biggest single factor impacting growth within our industry – and really in our world in general – are the current interest rates. Our customers aren’t able to get the funding needed to invest in their business because the cost is too high.

For all of Mitch’s thoughts on the future of the industry, read the full blog HERE .

SELEATHA NAMED A JBJ RISING STAR CELEBRATING A

STAR!

Seleatha Carter, Trailer Bridge’s Director of Pricing - Ocean Division, was named a 2023 Rising Star in Logistics by Jacksonville Business Journal. This award honors professionals in Northeast Florida who show an upward trajectory in their career and are becoming leaders in their fields. Recently, Trailer Bridge team members gathered at a reception for honorees where Seleatha was recognized for her accomplishment. Congratulations, Seleatha!

2024 BRANCH STRATEGY MEETING

Branch managers and leadership from around the country gathered in Nashville, TN to strategize for success in 2024. They took in the sights around Music City and then got down to business, discussing how each branch’s individualized approach will contribute towards the unified goals that Trailer Bridge has for the year. It was an excellent opportunity for collaboration and creativity to be cultivated in service of the company’s continued growth.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT OF LOGISTICS ERIC MASOTTI

There is no doubt in my mind that Trailer Bridge is bound for success in 2024.

Last year was hard, but 2023 is in the past. Despite the industry struggling, we improved in every aspect of our business – when others were downsizing, we were growing so we will be positioned to better serve our customers when the market turns.

While there is speculation on the timing, the market will improve in 2024. Either prices will go up because of increased demand in the first half of the year or they will rise in the second half as more capacity providers go out of business.

And when the tide changes, we will be ready because we are positioned to scale. Efficiency improvements have enabled us to increase the number of loads per person and we are continuing to expand our offerings globally.

The only way from here is up!

LOGISTICS REVENUE & LOADS

These five individuals were part of the original team that founded TB’s Logistics Division.

JACOB WEGRZYN FEATURED IN

PANEL AT SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS SUMMIT

Members of TB’s Puerto Rico team attended the first Supply Chain and Logistics Summit in San Juan, where Jacob was invited to speak. He joined other maritime industry leaders in the Business Continuity Panel, where they discussed how to maintain resilience in times of industry uncertainty. The event was also an incredible opportunity for Trailer Bridge to connect with the logistics community in Puerto Rico, including current customers and prospects.

FORGING RELATIONSHIPS

Jake Willis and Connor Leach from the Kansas City branch attended the Midwest Manufacturer’s Tradeshow to share Trailer Bridge’s logistics solutions with representatives from the regional manufacturing industry.

When asked about his biggest takeaway from the show, Jake said “It was great getting to connect with industry leaders across the Midwest and learn about their products and services. It’s exciting to know we can use our services to move their products not just regionally, but also across the country and globally.”

‘If you are planning to attend a trade show in your market, connect with Marketing Manager Kimberly O’Sullivan (kosullivan@trailerbridge.com) for support.

LEARNING WITH PAYCOR IS NOW LIVE!

The new Learning Management System with Paycor is LIVE! Many of you have already started receiving training requests in the past few weeks. Internal courses, learning paths and compliance training are all assigned internally.

IMPORTANT: All training notification emails will come from system@litmos.com . Please keep an eye out for this sender and do not mark as spam.

If you have any questions about our new LMS, reach out to Becky Simon (bsimon@trailerbridge.com).

NEW NAME, NEW ME!

VP of Marketing & Communications, Whitney Ennis, and her husband Brandon said “I do!” at their destination wedding at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas on February 1st. Surrounded by friends and family, they created memories that will last a lifetime.

SUNRISE SURPRISE!

Congratulations to HR & Payroll Coordinator, Emma Wagner, who got engaged to her fiancé Ryan!

LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

Daniel McMillan from TB’s Raleigh proposed to fiancé Cara. Congratulations to the happy couple.

WORK ON YOUR FINANCIAL FITNESS

4 GOALS TO CONSIDER FOR THE NEW YEAR

PERSONAL MONTHLY

BUDGET

Review your budget and adjust it based on changes in your life; new baby, kids in college, new home, etc. If you do not have a budget create one! A budget will guide your saving and spending choices (wants vs. needs) in support of your long-term goals.

CREDIT CARD CONSUMER DEBT & TACKLE

Two very popular methods...

The Snowball Approach: tackling the smallest balances first then the next smallest balance and so on.

Avalanche Approach: paying off the highest interest-rate balances first.

WILL OR ESTATE

MAKE A PLAN

Estate plans help divide assets, name guardians for minor children, include important healthcare directives as well as specify your final wishes. A great starting point is to create a WILL which details how your assets will be distributed. Estate planning can take some time when done correctly so this is a goal to begin now.

REVIEW YOUR 401K CONTRIBUTIONS

Increase your retirement contributions by 1-5%. Ensure you are taking full advantage of any company match, you know the “free money.”

When it comes to saving, time is your biggest ally. Commit to increasing the amount you are saving by 5% this year. If needed, start by raising it just 1% and increase that percentage over the next 12 months.

MORE RESOURCES:

Read: Empower Financial Resolutions

Watch: How to Overcome Financial Stress in 2024

WE HAVE VISION!

Mix crafts, drinks, and good company and you have the perfect recipe for a vision board happy hour! This event was hosted by TB Well to allow participants to get a positive, goal-oriented start to the new year. Our Jacksonville, L.A., and Puerto Rico branches all joined in for the fun!

TB RUNNING CLUB KICKS OFF WITH JAGUARS

STADIUM CHALLENGE 5K

The TB Running Club conquered its first 5k this month at the Jacksonville Jaguar’s stadium. The route took participants throughout the stadium and ended on the field where there was a neon glow after-party.

Want to join in the next 5k? If you’re in Jacksonville, keep an eye out for an email announcing our 5k for Q2. Individuals from all other branches can choose their quarterly 5k and send the info to Becca Sutton (rsutton@ trailerbridge.com) to get registered.

HAVING A BLAST AT BOURBON & BRISKET

Food, friends, and fundraising – what more could you ask for? Trailer Bridge team members enjoyed a night out together at Feeding Northeast Florida’s annual Bourbon & Brisket event while supporting their mission to end hunger in our local communities.

STOCKING THE PANTRY AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

Food delivery! The Jacksonville and Atlanta branches made their monthly snack delivery to their local Ronald McDonald House charities to stock the pantry for the families staying there.

Does your branch want to get involved? Email Jennifer Gutierrez (jgutierrez@trailerbridge.com) for more details and to get signed up!

BUILDING BRIDGES MENTORING PROGRAM STARTING OFF STRONG

Our new mentoring program, Building Bridges, has launched and is already a hit! Check some of the feedback that we have received so far:

“During the first meeting, we talked about what some of our recent achievements were and what we are passionate about. It was refreshing to hear from those in our mentoring program. I feel as if they are all great people that I could really learn from here at TB. I am glad that I signed up for the program.”

Morgan Mashburn | “Tips for Navigating your career” with Melisssa Morrison

“This has been an amazing program. It has provided great resources and tools to help me further grow with Trailer Bridge!”

Clay Poole | “Finding Success in Business” with Brent Neary

Did you miss the sign-up for Building Bridges launch? New cohorts are assembling in Q2. Communication coming soon about how you can join!

SALES TIP OF THE MONTH: KEEP UP WITH INDUSTRY NEWS

Be aware of what’s going on in the industry so you can be more informed when going after prospects and be a good resource for your clients. Some important things to look out for include new transportation laws and regulations, industry trends, and geographical events that might alter demand.

Here are a few good places to find this information:

• Freight Waves

• Supply Chain Dive

• Trucking Dive

• American Journal of Transportation

TIP: Subscribe to their newsletters and get the latest industry news sent straight to you!

UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICATIONS AND PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS

With the transition to United Healthcare as our new health insurance provider, there have been some questions about coverage. Here is some information based on common questions we’ve received.

Medication Costs

• Medication costs can vary between pharmacies.

• The UHC app has a Pharmacies & Prescriptions section with a savings center. Use this to check for possible savings and recommendations including generic medication substitutions or change in pharmacy.

• Pricing may differ based on whether you get a 90-day supply or 30-day supply. You may be able to get your medication cheaper if you change your supply amount.

Prior Authorizations

• Some medications may require a new prior authorization when switching insurances –especially if the medication is a controlled substance or high cost.

• To get prior authorization, request that your doctor submit the form to the insurance company to approve the need for the medication. It is important that your doctor includes the medical need for the medication and any previous treatment you have received for the condition.

• If your pharmacy communicates that one of your normal medications isn’t covered, be sure to ask if a prior authorization is needed.

There will be a smart meeting in a few weeks to provide more in-depth information on United Healthcare offerings, navigating the website/app, and answer questions.

If you have any individual coverage questions, please reach out to our Benefits Specialist, Becca Sutton (rsutton@trailerbridge.com).

TAX TIPS: REMINDER TO UPDATE TAX INFO IN PAYCOR

THE DEADLINE TO FILE YOUR 2023 TAXES IS MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2024

Finding Your Tax Forms

All your tax forms can be found under the Payroll tile of your Employee Self-Service Portal in Paycom. Click for additional options and choose “Year-End Tax Forms.” This Paycom access will end on March 8, 2024. If you do not pull your tax forms before that date, please reach out to Employee Services and we can provide you with a copy.

Changing Your Tax Setup

Your tax setup in Paycor is how the systems know the appropriate tax amount to be calculated and withheld from each paycheck. You can change your tax setup at any time by choosing “Taxes” under the Pay & Taxes option in your employee dashboard. Here are some reasons why you may want to update your tax setup:

• If you had a baby, you may want to adjust your claimed dependents to make sure you receive all eligible child tax credits ($2k per qualifying child under age 17)

• If your marital status has changed, you may want to change your federal filing status to “married, filing jointly” or “Single or married filing separately.” If your status is “married filing jointly” and your spouse also works, you may need to check the “multiple jobs” box. *This status does not need to match how you file with the IRS. Typically, married taxpayers who file jointly will have a smaller percentage of their pay withheld than singles. If you select “single, 0 exemptions”, you will have more withheld from your check and increase your chances of not owing or receiving a tax refund.

• If federal taxes are not being withheld from your check, you may want to add an additional amount to be withheld to try and prevent owing at the end of the year. If you have more money withheld from your paycheck than is necessary, you should get it back later as a tax refund. If you have too little withheld, you may face an unexpected tax bill at filing time as well as an underpayment penalty.

This is not legal tax advice and has been prepared for informational purposes only. You should consult your own tax advisor before engaging in any transaction.

HANNAH DAVIS

SCOTT CLAY

JAMES STANSBERRY

SEAN LAWSON

ALEX

MATTHEW GRAY

DANIEL MURRAY

ERIC FOSTER

LARSEN

JOISY RIVERA

SHANE JONES

DANNY TORRES

Promotions & Changes

Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain.

– Chris Karcher

Risk and Compliance Manager Jacksonville Creative Services Manager Jacksonville

CHAD HENSON

MICHAEL LEARY

Marketing Manager Jacksonville

KIMBERLY OSULLIVAN Safety Coordinator Jacksonville Senior Accountant Jacksonville

KATIE NASBY

ELA KANTAREVIC

DRIVER OF THE MONTH

MITCH PIFER

This is what the Truck Ops and Safety Team had to say about TB’s Driver of the Month:

Mitch is not only one of the most reliable and safe drivers, but he also always goes above and beyond what is asked of him. He is extremely dependable and our go-to guy to get anything done at a moment’s notice. He is always willing to help a fellow driver.

Mitch is not only highly respected by other drivers and other Trailer Bridge employees. He always has a smile and kind word for those he encounters. He loves to joke with them, and I know it brightens their day and his.

It is such a pleasure to have him on our City Team.

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