Logistics Tech Outlook: Specials Magazine

Behind the Wheel to Safety Director After graduating from the University of Missouri in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in economics, I began my career at FedEx. Fresh out of college, I accepted a tractor-trailer driving job and completed comprehensive driver training. I spent about three and a half years driving in the New England area before transitioning into management. I later accepted an operations manager position in St. Louis, Missouri, overseeing approximately 30 to 40 drivers. After about a year, I was promoted to manage an airport facility, where I led a larger team for roughly ten years. Seeking further growth, I joined Central Transport in 2011 as a regional safety manager, responsible for safety across an eight-state territory and 25 to 30 terminals. My role involved all aspects of regulatory compliance, including FMCSA, DOT, OSHA, Workers’ Compensation, and EPA regulations. A year later, I was promoted to Safety Director at Central Transport, a position I held until December 2019. At that point, the owner of Central Transport, who also leads Universal Logistics Holdings, appointed me to oversee safety for the entire holding company. Since January 2020, I have been responsible for all safetyrelated matters across Universal Logistics Holdings. The company operates under approximately 14 DOT numbers, with around 5,000 tractor-trailer drivers spread across 12 to 14 different operating authorities. Our business spans four main divisions: truckload, dedicated, intermodal, and contract logistics. Managing safety compliance across such a broad and diverse operation keeps me fully engaged and constantly learning. Managing Safety across Borders No two days are the same when managing safety for 5,000 truck drivers across multiple business units. I usually begin my day by checking emails for urgent issues. When I’m in Michigan, I spend several weeks each month working directly with my team. The rest of the time, I travel—typically between 50

Rising freight costs, increasingly complex logistics networks, and growing customer expectations have made every transportation decision a business decision today. Organizations have access to more operational data than ever before, yet many still struggle to transform that into actionable insights to reduce cost and improve performance. In an era where artificial intelligence promises to reshape supply chains, one truth remains constant: meaningful innovation begins with reliable data and an unwavering commitment to a bespoke client experience above all else. That philosophy has guided Orca for more than a decade. The company has remained steadfast in its commitment to freight audit and payment, building deep expertise that helps organizations gain control over transportation spend while improving visibility across supply chain and delivering a client experience built around each organization's unique needs. “Everything we do at Orca is built around delivering a bespoke client experience — because for us, the client experience and value creation comes above all else.” says Marco Grossi, president and co-founder..