Improve performance and profitability

Trucking Profitability Strategies brings senior trucking professionals together to discuss best practices and emerging trends that can immediately improve performance and profitability and prepare participants for future opportunities and challenges. For 30 years this program has continued to feature leaders in trucking as presenters and panelists.

Program Information

Date: April 21-23, 2024

Cost: $1,195

Location:
The Georgia Center
1197 South Lumpkin Street
Athens, GA 30602-3603

Note: Unlike other programs, no suppliers or vendors attend this conference.

Contact

Headshot of Jordan King
  • Associate Director of Open Enrollment Programs & Conferences, Executive Education

“I’ve attended the Trucking Profitability Strategies conference throughout my career and I continue to come back because it’s a place to come together with other folks in the industry. It’s a place you can let your guard down, talk about things you have in common, the challenges you face. People are willing to share here, and I think that’s the unique difference.”

– Derek Leathers, President & CEO
Werner Enterprises, Inc.

Who Will Benefit

Senior trucking professionals or rising trucking professionals. Attendance is restricted to asset-based trucking companies to maximize the learning and networking experience.

Takeaways

Relevant, current knowledge of emerging trends in trucking that will help keep you competitive, knowledgeable, and able to capitalize on opportunities as they arise.

2024 Conference Details

Brian Billick

Brian Billick

Keynote Speaker

An expert motivator, NFL coach and strategist, for over 30 years Brian Billick has demonstrated an exceptional ability to take individual players to their highest potential, while keeping his teams unified and focused.

From 1999–2007, Billick served as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, a new franchise with some of the youngest players in NFL history. In his first year as head coach, Billick guided the Ravens to their first non-losing season (8-8). In 2000, he led the Ravens to a decisive 34-7 Super Bowl XXXV victory over the New York Giants. Currently an analyst for the NFL Network, Billick shares his methods for bringing teams together to focus on achieving common goals. Author of several books including More Than A Game: The Glorious Present and Uncertain Future of the NFL, Billick’s engaging presentations challenge us all to strive for a “we” environment that holds everyone on a team accountable in the pursuit of victory.

Panels and Keynotes

Morning Keynote

  • Thom Albrecht
    CFO, Chief Revenue Officer, Reliance Partners LLC

Driver Engagement

  • Lisa Gonnerman
    President of Trucking, Bay and Bay
  • Keith Stelzer
    Vice President of Safety & Recruiting | Paper Transport, Keith Stelzer
  • Jeremy Stickling
    Chief Administrative Officer, Nussbaum Transportation Services, Inc

Managing Risk

  • Vallie Dugas
    Associate General Counsel, Melton Truck Lines, Inc.
  • Stormie Janzen
    VP, Safety and Recruiting, Total Transportation of MS
  • Nathan Meisgeier
    Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, Werner Enterprises

Lunch Keynote

  • Dave Williams
    SVP Equipment & Govt Relations, Knight-Swift Transportation

Yield & Optimization

  • Kyle Bochnak
    Vice President of Pricing, PAM Transport
  • Hatem Madkour
    VP of Pricing and Market Intelligence, Bay & Bay Transportation
  • Brenden Nothwehr
    Associate Vice President of Pricing – Dedicated, Werner Enterprises

CFO Roundtable “Hot Topics”

  • Damiano Coniglio
    Chief Financial Officer, Bison Transport Inc
  • Carla Kaneski
    Chief Administrative Officer, Arnold Bros. Transport Ltd
  • Chris Wikoff
    EVP, CFO and Treasurer, Werner Enterprises

Culture: People, Training, Women In Trucking

  • Rob Newell
    Vice President of Driver Services, Cheema Freightlines LLC
  • Karen Smerchek
    President, Veriha Trucking
  • Rhonda Leason
    Vice President, People & Culture, Trimac Transportation

Opinions & Advice

  • David Parker
    CEO and Founder, Covenant Logistics Group, Inc.
  • Jim Richards
    President & CEO, KLLM Transport Services, Frozen Food Express
  • Joe Vitiritto
    Chief Executive Officer, PAM Transportation
Sanford Stadium

UGA Football Experience

Monday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m.

The conference will feature dinner at UGA’s Sanford Stadium, home of the Georgia Bulldogs.

Sponsors

Platform Science
Carrier Transicold
MapGraphix
OnRamp company logo

TPS Advisory Board

Board Chair

  • Andy Damkroger
    VP-IT Strategy and Ops, Werner Enterprises

Program Chair

  • Dave Fulawka
    Associate Vice President Network Analytics and Development, Bison Transport Inc.

Past Board Chair

  • Ben Schill
    Chief Executive Officer, Paper Transport, Inc.

Board Members

  • Harman Cheema
    President and Chief Executive Officer, Cheema Freightlines, LLC
  • Tim Harrington
    Executive Vice President of Sales, Swift Transportation
  • Robert “Bob” Lewis
    Vice President, Inter-Coastal Trucking
  • Micah Peagler
    Vice President of Strategy, Total Transportation of Mississippi
  • Gary Short III
    Director – Fleet Operations, Go-To Transport, Inc.
  • Whitney Stokes
    Vice President Logistics, Big M Transportation
  • Lee Thigpen
    Vice President Pricing, U. S. Xpress, Inc.