FreightWaves spoke with Jackson Alexander, Executive Vice President of Sales at Reliance Partners, about what leads to nuclear verdicts, how to mitigate risk, and how the state of the insurance market for motor carriers is changing.

Empire National’s growth from a small family business into a national asset-based carrier reflects a deliberate strategy centered on operational discipline, technology investment, and people-first leadership.

The FreightWaves Roadshow 2026 is gearing up for an exciting kickoff. We’re connecting freight and supply chain professionals with critical insights and strategies in some of the most pivotal freight cities across the country.

FreightWaves is building recognition for the freight and logistics centers that play crucial roles in our daily lives. We want to bring together community voices from across the country to identify which towns are doing the most to drive our supply chain forward.

Pallet just debuted the newest logistics series: Supply Chain Insiders. Leaders are getting candid about their real experiences and we got the inside scoop.  “Supply Chain is built on the conversations that happen behind closed doors,” said Supply Chain Insiders host and General Manager at Pallet, Michael Burg. “We wanted to create a space where […]

Pratham Bansal of Lanesurf shares how their AI platform (trained by freight brokers and carriers) is making load booking possible within 10 minutes with vetted carriers during their tech demo at the 2025 F3: Future of Freight Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In this episode of Net-Zero Carbon, host Mary O’Connell sits down with Dave Slade, principal biofuels scientist at Chevron, to break down the various fuels available to fleets, the advantages of running alternative fuel options, and how companies can decide what fuels are best for them.

In this episode of What the Truck?!?, host Malcolm Harris sits down with Kenneth Hanover to break down how Fleetguard’s engineering approach and industry-leading warranty services help owner-operators keep trucks rolling.

FreightWaves’ Thomas sits down with Patrick Frith, Senior Director of Growth and Cross-Border at Avalara, to talk about the most turbulent year global shippers have faced in decades. They break down the rapid tariff changes, the end of U.S. de minimis, the rise of tariff engineering, and how automation and AI are becoming essential for staying compliant amid 600,000+ tariff updates in 2025.

In this episode of What the Truck?!?, host Malcolm Harris sits down with eTruux CEO Shan Ravin to break down how eTruux is bridging efficiency and trust between shippers and carriers with transparent pricing and integrated TMS + ELD systems.

In this episode of Loaded and Rolling, host Thomas Wasson sits down with Michael Precia to break down how fleets can manage rising operational costs by avoiding some of the worst costs with safety and compliance optimization.

At this year’s F3: Future of Freight Festival, Sope Creek Capital Founder Kevin Nolan sat down with FreightWaves’ Founder Craig Fuller to talk about the kinds of startups that succeed in the current logistics landscape.

FreightWaves sat down with Danielle Villegas of PCS Software to talk about how the freight industry will have to reorganize to make the best use of AI in logistics.

The dual pressure of shrinking margins and escalating fraud has prompted brokers to take a hard look at their day-to-day workflows. There are unfortunately plenty of weak points that could be costing many brokers money and exposing them to risk. One area that often flies under the radar: the inbox.

This year’s F3: Future of Freight Festival will bring back rapid-fire demos, high-tech exhibits, engaging discussions with thought-provoking speakers, market insights, fun networking experiences, live music and more, but this time totally reimagined to fully immerse you in a festival atmosphere with more venues, experiences, and Chattanooga vibes. Join the greatest minds in the industry Oct. 21-22, 2025, for the largest festival in freight.

Over the past several years, the transportation industry has struggled to keep pace with soaring e-commerce demand. Against this backdrop, Amazon developed the Amazon Freight Partner program to create opportunities within its middle-mile logistics network for both leaders looking to start a transportation business and professional CDL-A drivers looking to expand their driving career.

This year’s F3: Future of Freight Festival will bring back rapid-fire demos, high-tech exhibits, engaging discussions with thought-provoking speakers, market insights, fun networking experiences, live music and more, but this time totally reimagined to fully immerse you in a festival atmosphere with more venues, experiences and Chattanooga vibes. Join the greatest minds in the industry Oct. 21-22, 2025, for the largest festival in freight.

Truck driving is a demanding occupation that often has a negative effect on mental health due to long hours, overnight shifts, sleep disruptions, and constant stress. Here’s what the industry can do to improve support for drivers.

This year’s F3: Future of Freight Festival will bring back rapid-fire demos, high-tech exhibits, engaging discussions with thought-provoking speakers, market insights, fun networking experiences, live music and more, but this time totally reimagined to fully immerse you in a festival atmosphere with more venues, experiences and Chattanooga vibes. Join the greatest minds in the industry Oct. 21-22, 2025, for the largest festival in freight.

With over 90 locations and counting, Southern Tire Mart at Pilot is expanding its fast, reliable service network to help fleets keep on trucking.

FreightWaves sat down with Jessie Merritt of Reliance Partners to talk about the necessity of cyber coverage in any cargo policy.

FreightWaves’ Mary O’Connell speaks to Jesse Buckingham, founder of Vooma, about how AI workflow tools can take on many of the tedious tasks of daily operation.

FreightWaves’ Thomas Wasson speaks to Justin Brevik, senior manager of fleet maintenance and service at Love’s Travel Stops, about the impressive capabilities of Love’s Fleet V.I.E.W.

This year’s F3: Future of Freight Festival will bring back rapid-fire demos, high-tech exhibits, engaging discussions with thought-provoking speakers, market insights, fun networking experiences, live music and more, but this time totally reimagined to fully immerse you in a festival atmosphere with more venues, experiences and Chattanooga vibes. Join the greatest minds in the industry Oct. 21-22, 2025, for the largest festival in freight.

Accur8 is transforming the logistics landscape with a comprehensive suite that goes beyond traditional TMS philosophy.

Criminals are using technology to bolster freight fraud and deception, but carriers and drivers need to remain vigilant when it comes to more traditional theft as well, says Scott Cornell of Travelers Insurance.

FreightWaves has partnered with J.B. Hunt and Reliance Partners to deliver an insightful webinar on modern supply chain challenges titled “Freight Budgeting: Navigating 2025 and Beyond.”

FreightWaves’ Thomas Wasson speaks to Todd Waldron, Truckstop.com’s VP of Carrier Experience, about the state of the industry and driver sentiment on technology adoption. As Truckstop.com celebrates its thirtieth anniversary, Waldron reflects on the hurdles of change and his hopes for more collaboration with other industry players in the future.

Reliance Partners joined with sponsors and expert speakers to host another successful freight industry event. This two-day seminar brought together industry leaders to discuss key topics impacting trucking and logistics, including litigation trends, reshoring, insurance strategies, shipper insights, and more.

In collaboration with sponsors and subject matter experts, Reliance Partners hosted another successful forum detailing the current landscape of cross-border trade and discussing solutions for the challenges of customs, trade agreements, and insurance concerns.

When it comes to freight theft, criminal tactics have shifted from straight theft to strategic theft as criminals are using new technology to bolster fraud and deception.

Konexial’s VIN + TUID load board verification cuts down on freight fraud and double brokering by assigning identification to each posted load and every organization that handles it.

With the rise of fuel fraud and increasingly complex fuel tax regulations, QuikQ’s fuel payment instruments utilize technology to track and prevent discrepancies at the pump.

FreightWaves partnered with Echo Global Logistics to collect and analyze comprehensive survey data from carriers and shippers for 2025 pricing trends, volume expectations, major challenges, and shifting demand patterns.

FreightWaves recently partnered with G3 Logistics and EY to host a webinar on supply chain disruptions and strategies to stay flexible during transitionary markets. With a good plan and robust technology, shippers can be poised to not only mitigate losses, but also to capture new market shares during unexpected shifts.

The emotional and financial toll of violations can be costly to carriers of any size. Smarter tools like Green Light ELD reduce driver stress and inspection risk.

Truckstop’s Taryn Daker shares the company’s latest freight fraud data and shares tips on prevention.

Chris Hayes of Travelers Insurance sits down with FreightWaves’ Timothy Dooner to talk about what drivers and carriers can do to improve safety during Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

David Bell, founder and CEO of CloneOps.ai, discusses what FreightTech providers need to do in order to add value to the industry and reach the smaller logistics companies that are less likely to innovate.

Roehl Transport wins the American Trucking Associations’ President’s Award for the fifth time, cementing the company’s reputation as the gold standard in truckload carrier safety.

Samsara’s discussion panel on autonomous trucking and the future of physical operations covers topics such as augmenting vs. replacing labor, autonomous vehicle safety testing, automated warehousing, and the accelerated adopting of autonomous technologies in a variety of industries.

David Bell, founder and CEO of CloneOps.ai, discusses how his decades of experience in the logistics industry enabled him and his team to build an AI voice agent with exactly the kinds of robust features that transportation businesses need.

With over 80 locations and counting, Southern Tire Mart at Pilot is rapidly growing its presence to serve more drivers and fleets. For both fleet managers and owner-operators, the growth of this network represents a valuable opportunity to streamline maintenance operations and reduce downtime.

FreightWaves sat down with Ryan Miller and Daniel Vega of Reliance Partners to talk about the crucial steps that any driver and fleet manager should take after an accident.

Elizabeth Simpkins, National Underwriting Officer for Inland Marine Specialized Risk for Travelers Insurance, sat down with FreightWaves’ Timothy Dooner on the March 31 episode of What the Truck?!? to discuss the rising success of women in trucking and what factors have led to this trend.

Capacity management and transaction AI are two ways that Parade is helping brokers streamline carrier sales and daily operations.

Haley Evans, senior vice president of client delivery for TriumphPay, sat down with FreightWaves’ Timothy Dooner on the What the Truck?!? Podcast to discuss what kinds of automation and simplification TriumphPay is using to further expand the limits of payment optimization.

For small and midsized shippers and brokers, the best LTL rates often require buying power that’s out of reach. By equipping the supply chain with an easy-to-use, integration-friendly TMS and freight marketplace, Logistically is making it easier for shipping operations of all sizes to compete.

Dhruv Gupta, CEO of Drumkit, discusses the advantages of AI automation and how streamlined workflows allow companies to boost sales and improve customer service.

David Bell, founder and CEO of CloneOps.ai, discusses the advantages of its new AI-driven voice agents and how streamlined call center workflows allow companies to expand in sales and customer service.

Kent Richard, interim bridge director of the City of Laredo, sat down with FreightWaves’ Timothy Dooner to discuss the 25th anniversary of the World Trade Bridge and the future of trade through Laredo.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 13-15. Mark Barlar, director of DOT regulatory compliance at Reliance Partners, shares some insightful tips for carriers and drivers to stay compliant during this period of increased scrutiny.

David Bell of CloneOps.ai spoke to FreightWaves’ Thomas Wasson about the future of AI in the transportation industry and how the CloneOps AI voice agent can prioritize and manage a wide range of communication functions.

David of CloneOps discusses the advantages of using the new CloneOps AI voice agent, developed using years of industry experience and input from major brokers and carriers.

Ann Marie Jonkman, VP of global industry strategy at Blue Yonder, sat down with Timothy Dooner to discuss the potential effects of tariff negotiations and price hikes on logistics service providers and how an effective strategy accounts for every aspect of the end-to-end supply chain.

Implementing a top-tier TMS can significantly enhance any forwarder’s logistics operations.

Lisa Haubenstock of Truckstop discusses the common tactics of scammers in the freight industry and what types of training and technology can help combat those issues, including the new carrier-vetting solution Risk Factors.

Due to the difficult cycles of the freight market, many small and midsize trucking companies have limited credit history and face challenges financing commercial trucks when business opportunities arise. Dale Delmege of Commercial Credit Group discusses the importance of an independent finance company that knows the trucking industry.

As cargo theft continues to rise, brokers look for solutions to secure their operations. TrueHauler, a browser-based platform, relies on geofencing and photo verification to ensure drivers follow through with security protocols and verify their identity on pickup and delivery.

Shaun Lezer, CDL driver with In-N-Out Burger, shares what motivated him to make some critical decisions to improve his health, and discusses the importance of taking small steps in the right direction.

Craig Leinauer of Travelers Insurance discusses the rise of organized cargo theft and freight laundering rings that are leaving drivers, carriers and even brokers liable for millions of dollars in losses.

Through real-time temperature monitoring, predictive analytics, and smart routing, Forefront Global Logistics minimizes spoilage and ensures that fresh produce reaches its destination at peak quality.

Nick Darman, founder and CEO of Alvys, discusses his entrepreneurial journey into trucking and what it took to create a world-class transportation management system and help fleets maximize efficiency and utilization.

Frank Kenney of Cleo gives insight into the current challenges of AI in logistics and how incremental integration over the next decade will be crucial for maximizing efficiencies.

Zach Jecklin of Echo Global Logistics discusses the importance of providing good service through difficult freight markets, Echo’s strategy to leverage AI and how technology can help maintain relationships without eliminating human oversight.

To meet the needs of an evolving market, Samsung SDS developed the end-to-end global logistics platform Cello Square. Executive Vice President Kooil O details how the platform helps shippers manage logistics processes, from strategic supply chain planning to efficient import and export execution.

Josh Hankins of J.B. Hunt joins Leah Shaver to discuss how communicating with drivers and understanding their needs can help with technology adoption, as well as to highlight Carol Ekster’s new book “Trucker Kid.”

Frank Kenney of Cleo gives insight into the importance of keeping customer-facing touchpoints manual and personal while strategically automating other processes.

Tracy Rushing, recipient of the 2024 Influential Woman in Trucking Award, discusses how focusing on improving the experience for truck drivers is how freight companies not only become destination employers, but also improve the workload and cohesion of the support staff.

Doug Waggoner, CEO of Echo Global Logistics, discusses the strategy of accepting risk losses on contract freight in order to remain in good standing with shippers and take advantage of higher margins in the spot market.

Brandon Wiseman, owner and president of Trucksafe Consulting, discusses updates to the FMCSA’s Clearinghouse Phase II monitoring and enforcement practices.

Frank Kenney of Cleo gives insight into the undeniable market trend toward more data visibility and transparency as a selling point for any clients in the freight industry. Every company has unique needs and models, and those needs are best served by being as open as possible.

Johnny McCord of Loadsure explains how traditional supply chain insurance focuses on large enterprises, leaving small businesses exposed to risk and rising policy premiums that don’t adequately protect them. Loadsure’s data-driven risk insights, dynamic insurance policies and automated claims processes empower supply chain SMBs to predict, prevent and protect themselves from risk.

To bring awareness to the demanding and underappreciated efforts of last mile logistics companies and retailers, Last Mile Retail Awards is highlighting excellence in more than 20 categories and promoting innovation in sustainability and social impact.

The trucking industry faces a rapid push in technology and innovation. It is more important than ever for carriers and logistics companies to determine how they will modernize. DDC FPO’s vice president of marketing and communications, Madison Conway, explains how companies can impact their futures and the trucking industry through optimization initiatives, services and technology solutions.

Bharath Krishnamoorthy, co-founder and CEO at Denim, discussed the ways freight brokers streamline their operations.

Keith Whann, chief technology officer of TruckSuite, joins Jeremy Reymer, founder of DriverReach and Project 61, to discuss how TruckSuite continues to evolve in bringing technology solutions to address drivers’ greatest needs.

While small transportation companies are often priced out of traditional insurance policies, Loadsure’s data-driven model allows for accurate pricing and empowers clients with active risk management insights.

Lisa Gonnerman joins Leah Shaver to discuss legacy achievements that led to her nomination for the Influential Woman in Trucking Award, including safety standards and women’s involvement in trucking leadership.

Due to nearshoring trends and an increase of manufacturing in Mexico, many US-based shippers are learning to manage operations across the southern border. Thankfully, Echo Global Logistics provides support, contingency planning and access to insurance through Reliance Partners to help companies mitigate the risks of operating in Mexico.

Stormie Janzen of Total Transportation of Mississippi joins Jeremy Reymer to discuss the importance of being involved and engaged in the industry and how trucking comes together to respond to natural disasters and emergencies.

Joe Anderson and Caleb Gee, co-founders of Truck Driver’s Best, join Jeremy Reymer to discuss their effort to provide a sorely needed service for drivers. Drivers can leverage Truck Driver’s Best for career advice, enabling them to make better decisions as they lean on the experience and expertise of the co-founders.

Lexmark Laureate Brant Nystrom shares how Optra Edge can help freight companies save by streamlining their asset tracking, gate management, data processing, PPE compliance initiatives, and even trailer loading and unloading.

Jeremy Reymer is joined by Lisa M. Battaglia, founder and president of Battaglia Communications, as she shares her insights on internal marketing and communications strategies for employee engagement.

Leah Shaver sits down with Beth Potratz and Leigh Sauter, founders of Spark Change Lab, to discuss their passion for solving the supply chain industry’s staffing challenges with accessible webinars and live events.

Ed Burns, CEO of Burns Logistics, joins Jeremy Reymer, founder of DriverReach and Project 61, to discuss the history of Burns Logistics and how that impacted his philosophy of sales through forming meaningful relationships.

With 60% of freight underinsured, stakeholders, shippers, carriers and brokers are in desperate need of a risk management solution, and Loadsure’s technology is at the forefront of 21st Century cargo insurance.

Project 61 founder Jeremy Reymer shares the importance of creating awareness about low trucker life expectancy, and educating all stakeholders in the industry in order to alter that trajectory and help drivers live healthier, longer lives.

Dave Powell, professional CDL truck driver with Usher Transport, and 2024 National Tank Truck Carriers’ Driver of the Year, shares his perspective from behind the wheel. Powell reflects on the importance of drivers being intentional about their health, as well as being a strong ambassador for the industry in order to improve trucking’s image and attract a younger workforce.

James Winfrey, vice president of partnerships and alliances with Leoforce, joins Jeremy Reymer, founder of DriverReach, to discuss advancements in recruiting technology in the trucking space, highlighting some of the best use cases for leveraging AI to allow for a better applicant experience and outcome.

Leah Shaver, president and CEO of The National Transportation Institute and regular guest host of Taking the Hire Road, joins Jeremy Reymer, founder of DriverReach, to discuss the importance of leveraging data to make better business decisions.

While repairs for accidents grow costlier every year, fleets running Ex-Guard have seen as much as an 80% decrease in towable accidents.

Brent Dorfman of DriverReach highlights how a modern platform can streamline recruiting and compliance processes, which in turn frees up resources for more growth and development.

Due to shrinking margins and elevated carrier costs, brokers are using freight factoring services to maintain steady income. Bharath Krishnamoorthy, co-founder and CEO at Denim, discussed the ways Denim can help brokers manage their loads, payments and collections.

Justin Clarke, founder and CEO of driver staffing firm F|Staff, joins Jeremy Reymer and shares how he has disrupted the traditional driver staffing business model by leveraging technology to enable a better experience for matching drivers with fleets.

Mark Colson, president and CEO of the Alabama Trucking Association, discusses the importance of training and professional development as well as legislative support for the trucking industry.

Hope Zvara, founder and CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga, joins Jeremy Reymer and shares her passion for driver health and wellness, why companies should invest in their drivers’ well-being, and what drivers can do on a daily basis in order to see real improvement and change over time.

As she prepared to take ownership of Veriha Trucking, Karen Smerchek took advantage of the networking and real-world experience of her colleagues in the Truckload Carriers Association to properly plan her career trajectory, and now she wants to give back to that same community.

The Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) Program helps drivers under 21 gain experience in trucking, helps carriers fill seats and helps the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration gather safety and feasibility data on lowering the age requirements for truck drivers in interstate commerce.

The manager of business development for the transportation team at Geotab, Emily Williams, opened up to Jeremy Reymer about the importance of representation and leadership for women in transportation, driver health and Geotab’s efforts to drive positive change in trucking.