The Bridge Newsletter - May 2023

ISSUE 44

MAY 2023

THE B R IDGE

IN THIS ISSUE: Rally por Puerto Rico Golf Tournament | Spirit Week Recap | Guess Who? | Customers Praise Team Members

TB and ATS Leadership Celebrate with Habitat after the Rally Tournament

ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT SURPASSES

FUNDRAISING GOAL

Trailer Bridge and ATS hosted the 2023 Rally por Puerto Rico Charity Golf Tournament this month raising more than $105,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Puerto Rico, supporting the organization’s efforts to create and preserve home ownership opportunities for low-income individuals and families on the island.

The Rally por Puerto Rico Charity Golf Tournament began in 2019 with the goal of bringing together local transportation and logistics leaders committed to serving the people of Puerto Rico and has since raised more than $300,000 for housing initiatives on the island.

Attendees at this year’s event enjoyed a day of friendly competition, fun in the sun, and opportunities to build relationships - all while supporting a good cause.

READ MORE.

Now more than ever community organizations like Habitat need our support as they – like all of us – face the rising costs of goods.

THIS DONATION WILL ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE THE IMPORTANT WORK THEY DO TO SERVE FAMILIES ON THE ISLAND – ONE OF WHICH WE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF MEETING TODAY.

– Mitch Luciano, Trailer Bridge CEO

SPIRIT WE’VE GOT AT TRAILER BRIDGE

In celebration of Trailer Bridge’s birthday month, TB teams across the country showed their company pride during Spirit Week. From themed activities to tasty treats, we had a blast spending time together to celebrate Trailer Bridge’s success past, present, and future.

Team members dressed in 90’s attire to celebrate the decade our company was founded. Check out these throwbacks!

For team challenge day, the Marketing team dressed as the Adobe Cloud!

For team challenge day, Talent Acquisition dressed in game day apparel!

Let’s play a fun little game of ‘Guess Who’! Here are photos of TB employees from the 90s – can you guess who is who?

Click Here to submit your guesses for a chance to win a prize!

WhitneyCroxton

RECOGNIZED AS JACKSONVILLE

40 UNDER 40

HONOREE

Trailer Bridge’s Marketing Director, Whitney Croxton, was recently recognized as a Jacksonville Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. This recognition acknowledges her personal career success and contributions to the growth of Northeast Florida through community involvement and supporting Jacksonville’s next generation of leaders. Members of the Trailer Bridge team joined Whitney at the award luncheon to celebrate her accomplishment. Congratulations Whitney!

“Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything.”

—

Wyatt Earp

PERSONAL FOR OUR OCEAN CUSTOMERS

The Marketing team recently partnered with the Customer Experience team to support their efforts to deliver personalized service to our Ocean customers – sustaining the division’s continued growth and success.

Ocean customers were sent a TB package complete with swag and a card that featured a personalized profile highlighting their Account Manager. The direct mail campaign has been a huge success creating connection and fostering deeper relationships with our customers. One customer even sent in a selfie and a wonderful note. Check it out!

Full Time Account Manager Part Time Agave Grower

At Trailer Bridge, Crystal Diaz spends her days serving shippers moving cargo to and from the Caribbean. But did you know she is also an agave connoisseur? She and her husband have an agave farm in Mexico and tend to the plants which take five years to be ready for harvest.

“Hi Crystal – just received that cool little Trailer Bridge journal in the mail – thanks so much! My favorite part of the surprise was getting to see an actual photo of you on the little into card. You are the best…As a further thank you, I have included a photo of me.”

This is just one of the many responses the team has received!

A Look at the State of the Logistics with Mark Szakonyi of the Journal of Commerce

A few members of Trailer Bridge attended a recent event hosted by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Jacksonville Roundtable and the Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association featuring Journal of Commerce Director and Executive Editor Mark Szakonyi. He gave a presentation on the ‘State of Logistics’ discussing factors impacting global shipping, East and West Coast port trends, and more. Pictured here (L to R): Whitney Croxton, Rosa Hernandez, Seleatha Carter and Ann Phelps.

Amber Grant Attends SHRM Talent Expo

Trailer Bridge Director of Talent Acquisition recently attended the Society of Human Resources Management’s Talent Expo in Orlando. Amber says she really enjoyed meeting others in the HR & Talent space as well as discussing the upcoming trends in our field – and is bringing back lots of ideas to TB Nation.

CUSTOMERS PRAISE

Members of TB Nation in Q1 Survey

In 2023, Trailer Bridge is giving customers the opportunity to provide real-time feedback through a series of quarterly surveys. The online questionnaire is sent out to shippers at the end of each quarter who have moved freight with TB within the previous 6 months.

Respondents of the Q1 survey reported they were ‘Very Satisfied’ or ‘Satisfied’ with Trailer Bridge and rated ‘Customer Service’ and ‘Reliability’ as the top reasons they choose TB.

Here are a few of the shoutouts from customers for team members who have gone above and beyond to provide the highest level of customer service.

“Everyone I deal with at Trailer Bridge does an exceptional job and I wish all of our customers shipping to PR and DR used Trailer Bridge. So helpful to work with and THE most dependable forwarder. Thank You!”

- Daphne Berg, AO Smith, Johnson City, TN

“ Alicia Gamez has worked our account on and off for years. She is phenomenal. Our current team led by Denigh does a good job.”

– Nick Day, Advance Auto Parts

“I always look forward to working with Trailer Bridge, especially Denigh! She is a ray of sunshine in the world of logistics. Highly professional, Great communicator, and organized like no other! Always a pleasure.”

– Erin Short, ArcBest

“Too many to list, but would provide shoutouts to Justin Marquez, Rosanna Amarante Gonzalez, Breanna Mayorga, Carmen Vivas, Rosa Hernandez, Mark Ryan & Brad Schummer for recent stellar service and assistance.”

– Bill Tucker, JB Hunt Transport, Inc.

“Excellent service from Agent Crystal de Leon ”

– Sara Casellas, Yacht Center of the Caribbean, Inc.

“Constant high level customer service experience from the San Juan Team. Sales visits are on point and the operational group is within reach at any time. They listen, act, and promptly take care of our needs. TRBR is not a supplier but a partner in business. Thank you to all of you for going the extra mile!”

– Gilberto Pagan, Flexitank

“Customer service a plus, excellent logistics for my west of Mississippi and north central origins. Good relationship with upper management.”

– Lenny Keegan, Able Sales, C&C Bulk

Work Hard Play Hard

At TB, we believe in the importance of working hard and having fun. That’s why team bonding is a natural part of the TB experience! Check out some of the fun we’ve been up to this past month.

Sales Tip of the Month

Research Your Customers

Not only will it make you more comfortable when you speak to them, it helps you personalize your pitch to their needs. Here are 5 pieces of information to gather about your prospect before picking up the phone:

1 2 3 4 5

Company information like size, industry, and current news

Decision makers in the organization

Current logistics providers they are using

Possible logistics challenges they are facing

Trends in the prospect’s industry

The Nashville team and Eric Masotti spent a night out celebrating and supporting Ike Forrester while he participated in and Armored Combat event.

Cheers to teamwork and good food! The Raleigh team enjoyed dinner together during a visit from Jeff Vaughn.

The Employee Services team showed real teamwork when they went up against an Escape Room and were victorious. Kacy Swanson, Director of Employee Services, said “We escaped with 18 MINUTES to spare and only used two hints! I’ve done so many escape rooms and we have never done it that fast, so it was very cool for me to be able to do that with my team!”

JJ MENDEZ

CELEBRATES 20 YEAR S AT TRAILER BRIDGE

started as a Maintenance Supervisor with Trailer Bridge in Puerto Rico more than 20 years ago then relocated to our corporate location in Jacksonville, FL where he rose to his current position as Director of Maintenance and Security. In recognition of his dedication and hard work, we asked him to reflect on his time here over the past two decades.

What is unique about the work the maintenance team does at TB?

As for this kind of work, not a lot of people like doing it anymore because it’s hands on and a lot of people would prefer to be sitting behind a desk on a computer. It’s physical labor which is why I try to keep the shop as relaxed as possible, so everyone feels comfortable. We joke with each other a lot and we treat each other like family. I always say, “those are my kids.” I have guys that have been here with me for 17 years.

What is the most rewarding part of your work at TB?

It would be the friendships and family that I have made here. I love interacting with people during the day, to see how

they are and try to help out if I can. Here at the maintenance department, I always feel really proud knowing our containers are moving lifesaving equipment, bringing in construction materials, you name it.

Why have you stayed with TB for 20+ years?

I’m not the type of person that gives up very easily and when there’s a problem, I want to make sure that I can take care of it. This is my family and these are my kids here. If I thought about leaving, I would feel like I’m turning my back on my team here at TB. I’ve seen how this company treats its family when they’re going through a hard time.

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

When I was at the port, I never had a barge layover because of maintenance, I never failed a Coastguard inspection in 4 ½ years, and I had the opportunity to take a RoRo and TBC to drydocks and learned a lot from that. In the maintenance shop, I have chassis that are from 1997 and are still running, where most companies start replacing them after 7 or 8 years.

What advice do you have for people just joining TB?

Always give your best, be honest, take pride in your job, and be accountable. If you mess up, tell someone and ask how you can make it better. If you’re paying attention every day, you’re going to learn something new.

Quartly Excellence Award

TEA BANOVIC Controller JUSTIN MARQUES Senior Account Manager

AARON GREEN Customer Service Excellence

JAKE LANGLOIS Operational Excellence

CHAD YARBROUGH Safety Excellence

END OF THE

COVID19

HEALTH EMERGENCY

President Biden has announced that the COVID National Health Emergency will end on May 11, 2023. Here is how some of those changes may affect you and your families.

COVID VACCINES

Vaccines, including boosters, could begin to cost you. As long as the federally purchased vaccines last and are available, vaccines will remain free to all people, regardless of insurance coverage.

With the Affordable Care Act and other recent legislation, vaccines will remain free of charge to most people with private and public insurance even after the federal supply of vaccines is gone. For those uninsured, cost could become a challenge once the federal supply is depleted.

COVID TESTS

Insurance Holders: Home Testing: Over the Counter tests could become more expensive for those who have insurance.

Health Provider Testing: Most insured people will have coverage for COVID tests ordered by a health provider, although these tests may no longer free of charge.

Traditional Medicare: Home Testing: Those with traditional Medicare will no longer receive free at home tests.

Health Provider Testing:

Through a health provider there will be no cost for the test itself, but there could be cost sharing for the associated doctor’s visit.

Private Insurance or Medicare Advantage:

Home Testing:

Those with private insurance or

Medicare Advantage will no longer be guaranteed free at home tests.

Health Provider Testing:

The test and the associated doctor’s visit may both be subject to costsharing, depending on the plan. Additionally, some insurers might begin to limit the number of covered tests or require tests be done by in-network providers.

Medicaid:

Home Testing:

Those on Medicaid will continue to receive at home tests at no cost through September 2024. After September 2024, home tests coverage will vary by state.

Health Provider Testing:

For people with Medicaid, there will continue to be free tests through September 2024, after which point, states may limit the number of covered tests or impose nominal cost-sharing.

COVID TREATMENT

People with public coverage may start to face more cost sharing for pharmaceutical COVID treatments.

TELEMEDICINE

After May 11th, providers writing prescriptions for controlled substances via telemedicine will be required to maintain in-person visits.

Trailer Bridge Sponsors Birthdays for Two Special Kids

As part of our community outreach efforts, TBGives works with Dreams Come True Jacksonville to sponsor birthdays for local kids living with life-threatening illnesses. This month, Trailer Bridge made sure Yulianna and Cruz had everything they needed for birthdays full of cheer.

TBGives Hosts Dinner for Military Veterans

TBGives held a Military Appreciation dinner for veterans at the VFW post in Kingsland, GA. Local veterans, TB team members and their families enjoyed a fun afternoon of barbeque, live music, and games. A big thank you to our Director of Safety and Maintenance, JJ Mendez, who connected us to his VFW and to all those on the TBGives Committee who helped make the event happen.

Team members from the Jacksonville corporate and brokerage offices enjoyed an evening at the Bourbon and Brisket fundraiser benefiting Feeding Northeast Florida. Held at the Strings Brewery, attendees sampled barbeque and beverages from local restaurants, all while supporting a good cause. Cheers!

JOSE VIRUET

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

“I am proud to announce that the driver of the month is Jose Viruet! He goes above and beyond in every aspect. He always has a positive attitude and is a well-rounded, great individual even when things go wrong. He owns up to any mistakes and asks questions. Jose never complains or has anything negative to say. He is always willing to help out where others may not. I believe he represents many of the TB12 virtues.”

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