Semi-Related

In this episode of  The Semi-Related Podcast , host  Jacob Eischen  sits down with  Oliver Jones , co-founder and CEO of  Manifold , to explore his journey from software engineer to freight tech founder. Oliver shares his path from building large-scale storage systems to joining Convoy in its early days, where he helped shape automation in spot bidding, tendering, and integrations during the compa...

In this episode of Semi-Related , host Jacob Eischen chats with Third Person founder and CEO Matt Hertz about his journey through the fast-paced world of e-commerce logistics. From cutting his teeth at Rent the Runway with nothing but a dry cleaner’s backroom and an Excel sheet, to scaling Birchbox through multiple 3PL transitions, Matt shares gritty, firsthand lessons in scaling operations and na...

On the latest episode of the Semi-Related Podcast, NMFTA COO Joe Ohr and Director of Cybersecurity Artie Crawford join host Jacob Eischen to discuss how dark-web ransomware rentals, AI-forged emails, and hacked telematics give thieves a back-door pass to your freight and how fleets can prepare a road-ready defense plan. They also preview the NMFTA’s Cybersecurity Conference this October and the no...

In this episode of Semi-Related , Jacob Eischen sits down with Raghav Midha , co-founder and CEO of Terminal , to explore the journey of building a startup from scratch—and the critical role Terminal plays in modernizing logistics. Raghav shares how his background in fintech and his co-founder’s deep roots in trucking led them to discover a major gap in telematics integration. Hear how hundreds of...

In this episode of Semi-Related, Chris Torrence welcomes longtime logistics veteran Michael Campese , now Chief Business Officer at DDC Group . With a career spanning over three decades—most of it spent rising through the ranks at Estes—Michael shares stories of getting his start in a warehouse, pursuing a career in LTL sales (yes, on purpose ), and eventually pitching a business plan directly to...

In this episode of the Semi-Related Podcast , host Jacob Eischen sits down with guest Eric Williams to dive deep into the world of freight, logistics, and procurement innovation. Eric shares his career journey—from his early days on the trading floor to his pivotal role in transforming how brokers, shippers, and carriers navigate pricing and capacity challenges. Listeners will gain insights into h...

Dive into the fascinating world of operations research and network optimization in this episode of the Semi-Related Podcast , hosted by Jacob Eischen . Featuring special guest Dr. Halit Üster —a professor in Operations Research and Engineering Management at SMU—this conversation uncovers the intricacies of designing relay networks for the trucking industry, building biomass supply chains, and plan...

In this episode of the Semi-Related Podcast by Optym, host Jacob Eischen sits down with Keith Peterson from the NMFTA to explore sweeping changes in freight classification and how the industry can prepare for the future . Keith delves into “ Classification Reimagined ,” shares insights on the Digital Standards Development Council ’s work to standardize and streamline LTL and truckload processes, a...

LTL pricing and operations are evolving fast, and SMC3 ’s Brian Thompson is at the center of it. In this episode of Semi-Related , host Chris Torrence  and Brian break down two of the biggest shifts happening in the industry right now: the NMFTA’s proposed classification changes and the push for standardized APIs. They discuss how the NMFTA Digital Standard Development Council is working to modern...

In this episode of Semi-Related , host Chris Torrence sits down with Eric Johnson , Senior Editor of Technology at JOC.com & S&P Global , to explore the intersection of journalism, supply chain, and technology. They discuss Eric’s journey into logistics reporting, the challenges of journalistic integrity in a fast-moving industry, and the evolving role of AI in freight. The conversation di...

On this episode of Semi-Related , host Shaman Ahuja sits down with Harman Cheema , CEO of Cheema Freightlines , to discuss the journey of building and scaling a trucking company. Harman shares how he and his father grew their business from a single truck to a fleet of 500, navigating industry shifts, technological changes, and the ever-present challenge of driver retention . They dive into key mil...

In this episode of the Semi-Related podcast , host Chris Torrence sits down with Nick Darman , co-founder and CEO of Alvys , to explore his journey from dispatching for his father’s trucking company to building a game-changing logistics platform. Nick shares lessons learned from launching a hybrid freight brokerage and carrier model, the challenges of scaling proprietary technology, and his vision...

In this episode of the ⁠Semi-Related Podcast⁠ by Optym, host Chris Torrence sits down with Bill Driegert , a seasoned leader in logistics, tech innovation, and operations. Join us for an engaging conversation as Bill shares his love for cars and music to his journey in becoming a pivotal figure in the freight and supply chain industries. Learn about Bill's early career at Frito-Lay, his role i...

In this episode, Chris Torrence hosts Chris Henry for an insightful discussion on what separates successful trucking carriers from the rest. They explore topics like using benchmarking to identify strengths and weaknesses, the importance of focusing on high-density lanes, and how aligning sales and operations can avoid costly inefficiencies. Chris shares lessons learned from years of working with...

In this episode of Semi-Related , host Jacob Eischen chats with Tom Moore of the National Private Truck Council (NPTC) to dive into the evolving world of private fleets. From the significant increase in outbound freight handled by private fleets to the changing expectations of drivers and the role of technology in fleet management, Tom shares data-driven insights and expert analysis. Highlights in...

In this special year-end episode of  Semi-Related ⁠ ,  Chris Torrence⁠  sits down with  Charlie Saffro , founder and president of  CS Recruiting , to discuss everything from personal branding and career transitions to the evolving dynamics of recruiting in the freight and logistics industries. As the holidays approach, Charlie shares insights into navigating the job market, fostering meaningful hu...

In this episode of ⁠ Semi-Related ⁠ , host ⁠Chris Torrence⁠ sits down with Mike Robinson , founder of The Eighth Notch and retail industry veteran, to explore the intersection of consumer behavior, sustainability, and the logistics challenges of modern e-commerce. Mike shares his journey from a finance major dreaming of Wall Street to revolutionizing retail operations at companies like Macy's, whe...

In this episode of Semi-Related , host Chris Torrence sits down with Mark Funk , Director of Carrier Procurement at SPI Logistics , to explore the agent model in logistics and its impact on the industry. Mark shares insights from his extensive career, including his time at Sara Lee, TQL, and R&L Global Logistics, offering a unique perspective on freight brokerage, carrier relationships, and op...

In this episode of Semi-Related , host Chris Torrence sits down with Swan Webb , Co-Founder of Results from Data , to explore the transformative role of data in the trucking industry. From his early career at BNSF Railway to his passion for empowering mid-size carriers with actionable insights, Swan shares his journey of blending analytics, optimization, and industry expertise to solve real-world...

In this episode of the Semi-Related Podcast , hosted by Chris Torrence , we dive into the multifaceted world of logistics with special guest James Nissenberg , Vice President of Logistics at Santa Monica Seafood . Known for his impressive career spanning asset-based transportation, logistics consulting, and even route planning in the aviation industry, James brings a wealth of knowledge and insigh...

In this episode of the Semi-Related podcast , host Chris Torrence sits down with Lucas Schorer from Kestrel Insights to explore the intricacies of geofencing technology and its applications in trucking and logistics. They discuss Lucas's journey from studying mechanical engineering at Cal Poly to founding Kestrel Insights, where his team specializes in precision geofencing solutions. Lucas highlig...

In this episode of Semi-Related , host Chris Torrence sits down with Max Farrell , co-founder of WorkHound , to explore how companies can harness real-time feedback to improve employee retention and create a better workplace environment. Max shares the origins of WorkHound, which began in 2015 as a platform focused on employee engagement for frontline and distributed workers. The conversation dive...

In this episode of the Semi-Related podcast , host Chris Torrence sits down with Spencer Ware , co-founder of Repowr , to dive deep into shared assets and their growing impact on the trucking industry. Spencer shares insights from his journey—from his early days in commercial insurance to the creation of Repowr, a platform revolutionizing the use of idle trailers by connecting fleets and owner-ope...

In this episode of Semi-Related , Chris Torrence sits down with Emily Phillips , president of the National Home Delivery Association and founder of eMission Advisory . With a rich background in logistics and sustainability, Emily shares her journey from industrial engineering to leading sustainability efforts at XPO, before launching her own company focused on decarbonizing the transportation sect...

In this episode of Semi-Related , host Chris Torrence sits down with Casey Larkin to dive into Casey's unique journey, from growing up under the influence of his father, a renowned industry leader, to carving out his own path in the freight and logistics space. They explore the complexities of the modern trucking industry, the challenges faced by smaller players, and the innovations Farelanes...