Empire National’s story began as a family-run operation founded by husband-and-wife team Sergey Korolchuk and Svitlana Samonik, built on hands-on accountability and a commitment to reliable service. Those early principles continue to influence the carrier’s strategy as it scales nationally under the leadership of Dmytro Kikhtenko, CEO.
Over time, Empire National has established itself as a modern, asset-based trucking carrier, with a reputation for operational consistency and a growing emphasis on technology-driven efficiency. As freight markets remain volatile and shipper expectations continue to rise, the company has concentrated its efforts on two core priorities: developing capable, accountable teams and implementing systems that allow the organization to adapt quickly to changing demand.
“Our foundation was built by a family that understood responsibility at a personal level,” said Dmytro Kikhtenko, CEO of Empire National. “That mindset still shapes how we operate today, even as we grow nationally.”
What began as a modest operation has expanded into a nationwide carrier supported by a fully owned fleet of 100 power units and more than 150 trailers, including both reefers and dry vans. Terminals in Illinois, North Carolina and California provide geographic balance and access to key freight corridors, allowing the company to support coast-to-coast operations.
Empire National’s measured approach to expansion has earned recognition on the Inc. 5000 list for two consecutive years, highlighting sustained growth during a period marked by elevated costs, capacity shifts and broader uncertainty across the transportation sector.
The company’s growth strategy isn’t focused on scale for its own sake. It’s about building systems and standards that perform consistently, regardless of market conditions.
Central to that strategy is a leadership culture that emphasizes accountability, training and operational consistency. Dispatchers, operations personnel and drivers are treated as critical components of service delivery, supported by internal development programs designed to reinforce performance expectations and coordination across departments.
“A company’s reputation is formed at the first interaction and confirmed at the final mile,” Kikhtenko said. “Those moments require discipline, clear communication and follow-through.”
To support its next phase of growth, Empire National is investing in automation and optimization initiatives aimed at improving speed, predictability and visibility for brokers, drivers and internal teams. The company is deploying automated workflow and dispatch systems, AI-assisted tools to help prioritize loads and identify potential disruptions, and enhanced communication platforms intended to reduce friction between brokers and operations.
Routing optimization, automated compliance checks and documentation tools are also being implemented to reduce administrative burdens and improve consistency across the network.
Company leadership says that these investments are focused on operational execution. Speed, consistency and transparency are outcomes, not slogans.
A key differentiator for Empire National remains its fully owned, asset-based fleet of semi trucks and trailers combined with centralized operational oversight. The carrier operates a national expedited division alongside its long-haul network, enabling it to manage time-sensitive freight while maintaining direct control over equipment, drivers and service standards.
Empire National’s asset-based platform includes the following:
- 100 company-owned power units
- More than 150 owned reefers and dry vans
- A national expedited division supporting time-critical freight
- Terminals in Illinois, North Carolina and California enabling nationwide coverage
The company’s growth strategy centers on improving on-time performance, strengthening communication standards with brokers and shippers, enhancing safety and compliance oversight, and continuing to expand automation initiatives designed to reduce operational friction.
Automation, training and leadership development are long-term investments for Empire National. Those building blocks are essential to creating a carrier that can scale without compromising service.
Empire National’s long-term objective is to establish one of the most efficient and technologically advanced asset-based carrier networks in the U.S. trucking industry, all while remaining grounded in the values that shaped its early growth.
“We’re focused on building a carrier that performs consistently over time,” Kikhtenko said. “That’s what our customers ultimately depend on.”
