Tribal Knowledge + Market Expertise
We’ve brought together a best-in-class team to create our FreightWaves Market Experts Team. Designed to provide SONAR users with dedicated access to some of the best subject matter experts in the freight industry, our Market Experts study freight trends, impacts, movement and data, and provide market insights and strategies exclusively for SONAR users.
Each team member represents a unique set of industry expertise. Collectively, they help to craft a complete picture of what’s happening in and around the freight markets through a multi-lens approach. Combining their deep tribal knowledge and industry experience with data and insights from SONAR, they’re able to deliver valuable and near-time market insights like only FreightWaves can.
The FreightWaves Market Expert Team:
- Publishes daily and monthly commentary, conducts webinars and speaks at key industry events.
- Accessible via a SONAR subscribers-only Slack channel, email and Twitter and can handle any freight market question you can ask.
- Provided at no extra cost to SONAR users and are here to give you a distinct advantage in the market.
Our FreightWaves Daily Watch is a daily briefing email that’s distributed exclusively to licensed SONAR users. Think of it as your SONAR playbook for the day. It’s designed to provide quick-read insights from our Market Experts into what happened in the global economy overnight, what’s happening in the freight market today, and what you need to watch over the next 24 hours. In addition to highlighting what’s happening in the freights markets for that day, our Market Experts share recommended strategies on how this information can be used to your advantage. The Daily Watch playbook email is released 7 days a week at 10:00AM ET.
Meet the Experts
Dean Croke
CHIEF ANALYTICS OFFICER
MARKET EXPERTISE
Telematics • ELD/HoS • Trucking Equipment • Drivers/Driving • Sleep and Sleep Disorders • 24/7 Workplace Schedule Design • Human Performance
What makes Dean a Market Expert?
Prior to FreightWaves, Dean lead Data Science teams at Omnitracs Analytics, FleetRisk Advisors and Spireon in addition to heading up Lancer’s long-haul truck insurance business. He has a strong trucking background in trucking operations, vehicle telematics, data science, business intelligence, data analytics, 24/7 workplace scheduling and human physiology.
After pioneering the deployment of the trucking industry’s first predictive models in the mid-2000’s as one of the founders of FleetRisk Advisors, he has developed a specialty in creating operational insights in freight markets using vast data sets and visualization tools to operationalize data. Dean has a Bachelor of Business in Transport and Logistics.
Dean’s trucking experience also extends to his days as an over-the-road driver in his native country Australia where in the process of covering over two million miles, he owned and operated some of the largest “road trains” in the world.
He was also General Manager of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) where he played a key role in the development of the TruckSafe and Fatigue Management Program – both alternative compliance programs which have been cited in the FMCSA’s recent “Beyond Compliance” initiative.
Noteworthy Accomplishments
Based on his years as a sleep-deprived trucker and student of human physiology from his time studying the subject with a professor at Harvard, Dean helped develop the widely acclaimed “Risk Never Sleeps” sleep management program for commercial drivers – a unique approach to helping truckers get better quality sleep.
What Dean likes most about FreightWaves SONAR
Dean truly believes SONAR is one of the most innovate technologies to ever hit the freight market and for the first time, gives fleets and owner-operators a near-term view of the freight market around them. SONAR puts cutting-edge technology, normally reserved for the large and well-resourced fleet, in the hands of fleets of all sizes.
Interesting Facts About Dean
He played football (rugby to Americans!) professionally in Australia before moving to the United States in 2000. Dean also still holds a CDL license and owns “The Grumpy Pete,” a popular Peterbilt show truck that he uses for Make-A-Wish, Touch-A-Truck, charity and fundraising events, truck shows and numerous community outreach events.
Life Outside of FreightWaves
When not traveling or working on his truck, Dean can be seen on his road bike around the suburbs of Boston where he lives with his wife and two teenage boys.
Who He Roots For
Being a New Englander, he’s naturally a Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins fan.
What is the most exciting thing going on in the freight industry?
Trucking companies are being transformed into more profitable and data-driven businesses through the introduction of innovative technology.
GET IN TOUCH
+1-978-760 9659
dcroke@freightwaves.com
@FreightWavesME
View LinkedIn
Ibrahiim Bayaan
CHIEF ECONOMIST
MARKET EXPERTISE
Macroeconomic Analysis • Transportation Economics • Parcel Markets
What makes Ibrahiim a Market Expert?
Prior to FreightWaves, Ibrahiim spent nearly a decade producing macroeconomic analysis and constructing forecasting models as a Senior Economist for UPS. It was during this time that Ibrahiim developed a detailed understanding of the influence that economic conditions play in transportation and freight markets.
Ibrahiim obtained his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rutgers University before going to get his Ph.D. from Emory University. He also spent time teaching Economics at both Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Noteworthy Accomplishments
While working at UPS, Ibrahiim helped to build many of the forecasting models that are still in use today, including the first models that incorporated e-commerce trends into residential package delivery forecasts.
He writes extensively on macroeconomic conditions as they relate to the freight industry and has presented his work at a number of industry and economic conferences.
What Ibrahiim likes most about FreightWaves SONAR
Within economics, it is rare to be able to see and use real-time information at such a high frequency and geographic detail. The SONAR platform allows for timely insight into one of the key trackers of economic activity.
Interesting Facts About Ibrahiim
Outside of work and family, Ibrahiim is also an avid record collector. He began collecting vinyl as a teenager and owns a collection of over 5000 albums across all genres.
Life Outside of FreightWaves
Ibrahim and his wife Evelyn recently celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary. They live together with their three children in Atlanta, Georgia.
Who He Roots For
Originally from Baltimore, MD, Ibrahiim follows the Ravens and Orioles religiously and is also a lifelong Lakers fan.
What is the most exciting thing going on in the freight industry?
Right now is a fascinating time in the freight industry. The strong economy has brought to light some of the challenges within trucking that have been developing for years. The tightness in capacity has also pushed innovation in the industry, and it is interesting to watch carriers and shippers evolve under pressure.
GET IN TOUCH
+1-404-290-2343 ibayaan@freightwaves.com @FWEcon View LinkedIn
Zach Strickland
DIRECTOR, FREIGHT MARKET INTELLIGENCE
MARKET EXPERTISE
Pricing • Financial Analysis • LTL/TL • Data Organization & Analytics
What makes Zach a Market Expert?
Prior to starting at FreightWaves, Zach received a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. His first experience in transportation was 13 years ago in expedited truckload. He then moved on to engineering, pricing, and finally financial analysis at a nationwide LTL carrier.
Zach spent a majority of his career dealing with data and translating it into something both manageable and actionable, whether it is for his own use or for others. He developed dashboards for executive management as well as daily operational management.
Along with his main areas of focus, he has worked in many departments, giving him knowledge of multiple facets of transportation in the areas of billing, receivables, payables, purchased transportation, customer service, claims management, accounting, and information technology. He has also worked closely with operations and has developed designs for freight networks.
Noteworthy Accomplishments
Zach has earned the esteemed title of “The Sultan of SONAR” through his tireless involvement and un-ending knowledge of our SONAR platform.
What Zach likes most about FreightWaves SONAR
Zach loves SONAR’s wide open view of the general market. Having worked in positions that required him to have knowledge of the general market in a severely fragmented industry where that level of information is scarce, he knows how valuable the data in SONAR is to anyone involved in transportation.
Interesting Facts About Zach
Zach is an avid outdoor enthusiast and is training to race in an Xterra, an event involving trail running, an outdoor swim, and mountain biking.
Life Outside of FreightWaves
When Zach is not at FreightWaves, he is chasing his 5-year old son and 9-year old daughter around in their various activities. When he gets a minute, he loves to mountain bike, golf, and fly fish in the mountains.
Who He Roots For
Growing up in Nashville, TN, he watched the Chicago Cubs on WGN and suffered along with the rest of the fan base until 2016. Being a graduate of the University of Tennessee, he is also a Vol for Life.
What is the most exciting thing going on in the freight industry?
Transportation is being pulled out of the dark ages, as many inside and out are willing to make the appropriate investment in technological improvement as well as developing effective data tools.
GET IN TOUCH
+1-615-497-1355 zstrickland@freightwaves.com @FWSvltan View LinkedIn
Nick Austin
DIRECTOR OF WEATHER ANALYTICS & SENIOR METEOROLOGIST
MARKET EXPERTISE
Weather Analysis • Weather Forecasting
What makes Nick a Market Expert?
In his 17 years of weather forecasting experience, Nick worked on air at WBBJ-TV and WRCB-TV, including time spent doing weather analysis and field reporting. He received his Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Florida State University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management from Georgia Institute of Technology. Nick is also a member of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association.
Noteworthy Accomplishments
As a member of the weather team at WBBJ-TV in Jackson, Tennessee, Nick was nominated for a Mid-South Emmy for live coverage of a major tornado outbreak in 2008. As part of the weather team at WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Nick shared the Chattanooga Times-Free Press Best of the Best award for “Best Weather Team” for eight consecutive years. Nick earned his National Weather Association Broadcasting Seal in 2005.
What Nick likes most about FreightWaves SONAR
Nick is amazed by the sheer amount of near-real time pertinent data connecting everyone with interests in freight and trucking.
Interesting Facts About Nick
Nick returned to college in his late 20s to pursue a meteorology degree, turning his side interest into a career.
Life Outside of FreightWaves
When not visiting friends in nearby cities or family back home in the Philadelphia area, Nick enjoys exercise, listening to music, and playing team trivia with fellow knowledge seekers.
Who He Roots For
Hailing from the Philadelphia area, Nick watches the Super Bowl LII champion Eagles whenever possible. As far as college football, Nick mostly follows the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
What is the most exciting thing going on in the freight industry?
How much weather is connected to transportation rates and movement of goods of all kinds. Weather affects agriculture and crops, especially large-scale events. Combining weather analytics with SONAR data gives our clients the edge they need. Weather affects the economy, the economy affects trucking and freight.
GET IN TOUCH
+1-423-653-9168 naustin@freightwaves.com @FreightWeather View LinkedIn
John Kingston
OIL MARKET ANALYST
MARKET EXPERTISE
Crude Oil and Product Markets • Government Energy Policy • Futures Trading • Equity Markets for Energy, Truck, and Rail Companies • Blockchain and Commodities
What makes John a Market Expert?
John has an almost 40-year career covering commodities, most of the time at S&P Global Platts. He created the Dated Brent benchmark, now the world’s most important crude oil marker. He was Director of Oil, Director of News, the editor in chief of Platts Oilgram News and the “talking head” for Platts on numerous media outlets, including CNBC, Fox Business and Canada’s BNN. He covered metals before joining Platts and then spent a year running Platts’ metals business as well.
Noteworthy Accomplishments
He was awarded the International Association of Energy Economics Award for Excellence in Written Journalism in 2015. In 2010, he won two Corporate Achievement Awards from McGraw-Hill, an extremely rare accomplishment, one for steering coverage of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster and the other for the launch of a public affairs television show, Platts Energy Week.
What John likes most about FreightWaves SONAR
That there has never been anything like that. Moving over to the transport sector, it’s astounding that something like this never existed previously.
Interesting Facts About John
When he joined FreightWaves, freight rates rose significantly. This marked a distinct difference from when he started covering metals markets in early 1981 and they collapsed, and then started covering oil in 1985 and oil prices collapsed. And as he was leaving Platts for a corporate role with S&P Global in late 2014, oil markets collapsed again. He feels a lot better that he didn’t kill the freight markets too. (But he is also a firm believer that for an unbiased observer of a market like FreightWaves, a rising market is not “good” and a falling market is not “bad.” For every long there’s a short and companies such as FreightWaves need to be neutral in the endless standoff between the two sides.)
Life Outside of FreightWaves
Golf, cycling, active in my Lutheran Church, our first puppy that never gives us a moment’s rest. first grandchild on the way.
Who He Roots For
New York Islanders (season ticket holder), New York Jets (season ticket holder), Detroit Tigers (too far away to be a season ticket holder), New York Mets (hate it when they play the Tigers), Crystal Palace FC.
What is the most exciting thing going on in the freight industry?
That a market that has not had a large amount of transparency is on the verge of having a great deal of it. Also, that an industry where the leverage in the employee-employer relationship is starting to swing toward employees, as the baby boom ages and the surplus labor it has produced begins to disappear. It’s going to fundamentally change the industry.
GET IN TOUCH
+1-516-458-6539 jkingston@freightwaves.com @JohnHKingston View LinkedIn
Donny Gilbert
MARKET EXPERT
MARKET EXPERTISE
Fueling Dept FTL Carriers • Driver Payrolls • Brokerage Customer Service • Brokerage Operations • Pricing Analyst for Brokerage Ops
What makes Donny a Market Expert?
Over 15 years experience in logistics working with one of Tennessee’s largest FTL carriers in both the assets and brokerage divisions.
Noteworthy Accomplishments
BA in Accounting from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
What Donny likes most about FreightWaves SONAR
The amount of technology that has been shared to put together a tool that informs everyone how the freight markets have been changing. Plus, the info is never more than 24-hours old.
Interesting Facts About Donny
Absolutely loves diesel trucks. Will relocate one day out West in Montana, Utah, or Colorado.
Life Outside of FreightWaves
On a normal day off of work, you will find me on a farm taking care of the many animals my wife and I have rescued, or sliding down a ski slope in Colorado.
Who He Roots For
Georgia Football
What is the most exciting thing going on in the freight industry?
Regulation changes and the effects they have on the markets.
GET IN TOUCH
+1-423-260-4836 dgilbert@freightwaves.com @DonnyGilbert4 View LinkedIn
Jesse Cohen
AIR CARGO
MARKET EXPERTISE
Domestic & International Air Cargo • Pricing • Economic Analysis • Data Management & Analytics
What makes Jesse a Market Expert?
Jesse has over 30 years of broad global experience on both the airline and forwarding sides of the air cargo business.
He started his career in Houston in Business Development for 2 different freight forwarders, gaining exposure to both air and ocean freight for large project and general cargo. He then relocated to Chicago to join United Cargo, starting out as a Cargo Capacity Analyst and moving on to more senior commercial, pricing, regional sales and product management roles. He was promoted to a key leadership role as Managing Director-Cargo Pricing and Revenue Management, where he oversaw a 25-person team responsible for coordinating with sales and operations to optimize the revenue from this $1B business at United. His specific responsibility areas included pricing, revenue planning, capacity management, RM systems and business analysis.
After leaving United, Jesse gained valuable field commercial management experience with two non-US flag airlines, Etihad Cargo and SilkWay West Airlines. He led the Americas regional commercial teams for both carriers and got significant exposure to freighter aircraft. Jesse’s overall air cargo experience covers North America, Pacific, European, Latin American, Middle East, and Central/South Asia markets.
Jesse has a Master’s in International Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC.
Noteworthy Accomplishments
Jesse takes pride in having led many successful major change management initiatives during his career. Examples include working with the local sales team in Japan to restructure their sales program and customer base, restructuring of a courier product, developing the first efficient truck feeder programs for United hubs, championing the post-2009 recession revenue and pricing recovery, and overseeing the merger integration of United and Continental Airlines Cargo teams and programs.
What Jesse likes most about FreightWaves SONAR
SONAR is industry leading, and dramatically improves the rational management of the transportation business. The commitment to excellence that FreightWaves is making to the product and ensuring that it provides value to customers. The future potential of the product as a tool to improve so many businesses that touch freight transportation is really exciting!
Interesting Facts About Jesse
Jesse got totally hooked on country music when he and his wife stopped at the Grand Ole Opry when moving from Washington, D.C. to Houston after graduate school.
He’s a passionate volleyball player, mountain biker, and hiker.
Life Outside of FreightWaves
Jesse is fortunate to have two grown sons with their families both living only 15 minutes away. He has 4 very active grandchildren – all 3 years old or younger – who keep him busy on weekends.
Jesse and his wife love taking summer vacations in the mountains for hiking and biking. During the rest of the year, he stays active trail riding in Chicago area (when the weather is above 50 degrees) and playing volleyball.
Who He Roots For
All Chicago pro sport teams (both Cubs and White Sox!), and in college basketball, Kansas and Indiana U.
What is the most exciting thing going on in the freight industry?
The increased use of data and data management processes to manage the business in more and more companies. The growth of e-commerce for air cargo in particular to help create new opportunity and stabilize the business. The increased recognition we have to collaborate and work together across modes and suppliers, and between government and industry to drive improvement and profitability.
GET IN TOUCH
+1-224-423-0052 jcohen@freightwaves.com @FreightWavesAIR View LinkedIn
Anthony Smith
Market Expert & Economist
MARKET EXPERTISE
• Economic Analysis • Housing and Construction • Trend Forecast • Technology Evaluation
What makes Anthony a Market Expert?
Before FreightWaves, Anthony received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from New Mexico State University. Anthony started his career off in tech as a Commercialization Associate where he identified and evaluated emerging technologies and innovations.
Anthony transitioned to a Corporate Economist & Consultant where he advised CXO leaders and Fortune 500 companies on economic analysis, industry trends and internal strategy. Anthony’s clients varied from construction, trucking, industrial, software, manufacturing and retail industries.
Anthony most recently worked in-house as a Corporate Economist for a building products company. He led analysis around M&A, pricing sensitivity, competitive intelligence and annual sales forecast for the executive team.
Noteworthy Accomplishments
While operating as an in-house Economist, Anthony built an internal forecast framework that predicted annual sales results within a 98% margin of accuracy.
What Anthony likes most about FreightWaves SONAR
The platform packs vast amounts of detailed data and analytical features that allow instant analyses that would typically take days or weeks to source and compile (not including the proprietary datasets). It brings everything together seamlessly to enable you to see up to the day information.
Interesting Facts About Anthony
Anthony was a scholarship athlete at New Mexico State University. He was a member of the Football team and one of the smallest defensive linemen in Division 1A his freshman year. Anthony also obsesses over new music releases from a wide range of genres every Friday and a fragrance collection that’s way too large.
Life Outside of FreightWaves
When Anthony isn’t spending time with family, he is binging audiobooks, traveling, at the gym, playing flag football, rugby, longboarding or any other activities to avoid running on the treadmill.
Who He Roots For
Anthony is an Aggie through and through. He roots for New Mexico State University no matter the odds.
What is the most exciting thing going on in the freight industry?
The freight industry is creating a world where goods are available immediately. The immense technology entering the space is creating a safer, faster, and more efficient industry.
GET IN TOUCH
+1-480-430-6930 asmith@freightwaves.com @FreightACS View LinkedIn
Henry Byers
International Freight Forwarding / Maritime
MARKET EXPERTISE
• Ocean Containerized Freight • FCL/LCL • International Trade Data • Ocean Contract & Spot Pricing • Market Analytics • Forecasting • Routings & Capacity Utilization
What makes Henry a Market Expert?
Prior to joining FreightWaves, Henry has spent most of his career working for domestic and international 3PLs right here in the heart of Freight Alley, in Chattanooga, TN. His experience includes leadership roles within multiple 3PLs that each possessed different operating models in the domestic and international markets. Working within these varying 3PL models allowed him to see and understand the strengths and pitfalls of each, and where there is still opportunity for improvement within each industry.
Most recently, he spent over 3 ½ years in international freight forwarding where he held leadership roles in business development, pricing, procurement, and analytics. During this time, he focused intently on researching, analyzing, and reporting on the air and ocean freight markets, which included him traveling abroad to meet and negotiate with ocean carriers and foreign partners.
His unique experience within both the domestic and international freight markets provides him with a comprehensive understanding of how the data made available in SONAR can best be utilized by shippers, carriers, and 3PLs/4PLs to help navigate the complexities of global and domestic supply chains.
Noteworthy Accomplishments
While working in international freight forwarding, he was voted “Impact Person of the Year” twice by his peers for his efforts in business development, pricing, and business intelligence.
In his earlier years, while obtaining his degree in International Business at Emory & Henry College, he was a starter for the Varsity Men’s Soccer Team and was voted captain his Junior and Senior years. He was also an Academic All-Conference player during each of these years.
What Henry likes most about FreightWaves SONAR
Henry was able to be a part of Beta-testing for SONAR, and he says that from the first time he used it, he knew then that it was going to be a major innovation for the freight industry. He loves the way SONAR connects millions of data points in real-time across all facets of the freight industry enabling its users to gain insights into industry trends that will help them make intelligent, informed, and strategic decisions for their companies.
Interesting Facts About Henry
Henry is an avid traveler, and loves seeing and experiencing different cultures around the world. In his college years during his summer break, he studied abroad in Mexico and in China, and speaks Spanish and a little bit of Mandarin Chinese.
Life Outside of FreightWaves
Outside of work, Henry enjoy being outside and spending time with his wife and three dogs in the mountains of Chattanooga. He loves exercising and enjoys playing soccer, mountain biking, and snowboarding (whenever he can find snow).
Who He Roots For
Originally from North Carolina, Henry is a huge Duke Basketball fan. Since he married into an all Tennessee Vols family, and North Carolina is mostly a basketball state, he now claims the Vols as his college football team. His NFL team of choice is the Carolina Panthers, and since he is a huge soccer fan, he pulls for Manchester United in the English Premiere League.
What is the most exciting thing going on in the freight industry?
He believes it is the most exciting time to be involved in the freight industry. Coming to FreighWaves directly from international freight forwarding, he says that he has seen and experienced first-hand how large the gap is becoming between forward-thinking, progressive companies battling for the most innovative and effective technologies, and companies that are moving slow to adapt to new technology believing the industry will not change as quickly as some think.
GET IN TOUCH
+1-828-429-5307 hbyers@freightwaves.com @WHenryByers View LinkedIn
Mike O’Brien
Intermodal & Truckload
MARKET EXPERTISE
• Intermodal Operations • Intermodal Pricing • Truckload Operations • Truckload Pricing • Business Development
What makes Mike a Market Expert?
Mike has over 25 years experience in Intermodal and Truckload working with two of the nation’s largest carriers, and he’s worked in all aspects of operations, pricing and sales.
Noteworthy Accomplishments
BA in Business Management from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
What Mike likes most about FreightWaves SONAR
The amount of current data that can be pulled from SONAR is pretty incredible. Shippers, carriers, and brokers can all benefit with real-time information. It levels the playing field for the smaller guys that don’t have the resources of the major carriers, shippers and brokers.
Interesting Facts About Mike
He grew up playing competitive tennis and went on to play in college. He won a USTA national championship in 1996. Now he plays golf and claims he is terrible.
Life Outside of FreightWaves
Married with two daughters ages nine and twelve. That pretty much takes care of life outside of work.
Who He Roots For
University of Tennessee. Atlanta Braves. Atlanta Falcons.
What is the most exciting thing going on in the freight industry?
The fact that it is evolving so quickly.
GET IN TOUCH
+1-423-667-2185 mobrien@freightwaves.com View LinkedIn