Beyond the Bulldog

Jared Sweeney, Vice President, Transportation Group at Cottingham & Butler, joins Beyond the Bulldog to demystify trucking insurance—why costs keep climbing and what fleets can actually control. Jared breaks down: -What drives premium increases and how underwriters assess risk (claims history, CSA profile, routes, driver pool) -Practical ways to lower total cost: top-down safety culture, spec...

In her second of three appearances, Ingrid Brown—46-year professional driver, Operations Manager at Blackjack Express, and long-time Women In Trucking (WIT) board member—joins Beyond the Bulldog to talk about how women are shaping every corner of trucking.   Ingrid discusses: -The real challenges women face on the road—and why clear, accurate communication beats stereotypes -How WIT supports drive...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Jason Johnson, Founder and CEO of Project K9 Hero, a nonprofit dedicated to caring for retired military, police, and fire service dogs. From his early days as a U.S. Army MP and federal K9 instructor to launching a nationwide program, Jason shares his mission to give these canine heroes the care and dignity they deserve after service. Jason d...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Amit Alhuwalia, co-founder of Class8, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping trucking operations and helping fleets build resilience in both strong and weak markets. Amit discusses: -How Class8 applies AI to fleet data to drive smarter business decisions -Why resilience matters during today’s extended freight recession -How Load...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Ingrid Brown, professional driver and Operations Manager at Blackjack Express, LLC. With more than four decades behind the wheel, Ingrid shares her journey from starting out as an owner-operator to now leading drivers in refrigerated transport. Ingrid discusses: -Why culture and trust matter more than shiny trucks when it comes to retaining d...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Gary Moneypenny, CDL transport driver with Jackson Motorsports. From hauling tires in the desert to delivering Aston Martin race parts across America, Gary shares the unique life of a motorsports truck driver — where the job is only 30% driving and 70% building relationships, solving problems, and representing the brand. Gary discusses: -How...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with David Hartzell, President & CEO of Mack Defense. With a career spanning decades at Mack Trucks, David brings his engineering expertise and leadership to the front lines of defense, delivering mission-ready vehicles that keep troops safe at home and abroad. David discusses: -The history of Mack’s role in supporting the U.S. military for ov...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Master Trooper Scott Baker of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. With more than two decades of experience in commercial vehicle enforcement, Baker shares practical insights on inspections, crash prevention, and how technology is reshaping road safety. Scott discusses: -What really happens during Level 1, 2, and 3 DOT inspections -How pr...

In his second appearance on Beyond the Bulldog, Ben Greenberg, President & CEO of the North Carolina Trucking Association, returns to share critical updates on advocacy, legislation, and the everyday challenges facing truckers. Ben discusses: -How NCTA successfully fought back against predatory towing and booting practices -Updates on CARB rules, greenhouse gas legislation, and their impact on...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Rick Cates, Senior Consultant at Rick Cates Trucking, to talk about what it really takes to keep drivers — and the public — safe on the road. With decades of experience, Rick shares his journey from behind the wheel to leading one of the largest safety programs in the Southeast. We discuss: -The evolving role of safety directors in a changing...

In this second part of our Beyond the Bulldog conversation with Pat Godwin Jr., President of The Godwin Group, we move from the early, scrappy years to a pivotal chapter of redemption and growth. Pat shares how his father, Pat Godwin Sr., faced personal struggles, found faith, and transformed both his life and his company — taking it from near-collapse to securing multi-million-dollar expansions....

In this two-part episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Pat Godwin Jr., President of The Godwin Group, to hear the remarkable story of how his father, Pat Godwin Sr., turned a carport welding rig into one of the largest truck body and equipment manufacturers in the country. In Part 1, Pat shares: -The origin story of Godwin Manufacturing — including a legendary April Fool’s Day and a weld...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Van Staley, Director of Truck Driver Training at Guilford Technical Community College. With a career that spans dump trucks, freight, and full-circle training, Van shares what it takes to shape new drivers who are ready for the real world — not just the test route. We discuss: -The evolution of CDL training and why the "human factor" still ma...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we’re joined by Spencer Squier, founder and CEO of Road Dog Coffee Company — a mission-driven brand that blends premium coffee with a deep respect for the men and women who keep America moving.   With a background that spans from running medical courier vans to building a national trucking company, Spencer shares how the road led him to launch a coffee compan...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we ride along with Robert Taylor — a veteran driver who’s been behind the wheel since high school. From hauling ammo for the Department of Defense to delivering groceries for Walmart, Robert shares decades of wisdom about ownership, maintenance, and what it really means to build a life in trucking. We discuss: -His journey from driving school buses at 16 to o...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Bes Bujupi, Executive Creative Director at Rapid Images — the creative partner behind Mack Trucks’ digital configurator, CGI visuals, and immersive storytelling. Bes shares his journey from designing digital experiences for brands like Lexus, Polestar, and Formula 1, to bringing that same creative clarity to heavy-duty trucking. We explore th...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Chad Melnik, Executive Director of Go-to-Market Strategy at Truck Club — an aftermarket warranty provider aiming to disrupt the status quo. With a background in motorsports and digital marketing, Chad brings a fresh perspective to an industry that’s long been stuck in its ways. We discuss: Why aftermarket warranties get a bad rap — and how Tr...

Since 1943, J.L. Rothrock has been moving freight and shaping lives across the Southeast and beyond. In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with President Richard Bondurant — a third-generation leader who has worked nearly every role in the company, from wrenching in the shop to driving the trucks himself. Richard shares what it means to lead a legacy carrier in a modern world, how Rot...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Ben Greenberg, President and CEO of the North Carolina Trucking Association. Ben brings his training and experience as a lawyer to the front lines of trucking advocacy, working to ensure that the voices of North Carolina’s fleets and drivers are heard where it matters most. We discuss: Issues facing truckers in North Carolina today How NCTA r...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we talk with Gerard Heller, president of Spartan Enterprise Inc., about what it takes to build — and sustain — a specialized local hauling business from scratch. From humble beginnings with a single truck to operating a full fleet across North Carolina, Gerard shares his experience navigating growth, managing seasonal slowdowns, and maintaining a reputation b...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Wesley Burleson, Digital Media and Events Manager at Mack Trucks, to explore the intersection of storytelling, training, and team development in the trucking industry. Wesley shares how compelling stories power everything from product videos to technician training. He also walks us through the evolution of Mack Masters — a hands-on, high-ener...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Leigh Killam, Aftermarket Product Manager at Mack Trucks, to go behind the scenes of the parts and service strategies that keep trucks — and businesses — running. From filtration and fluids to crash parts, upgrades, and lifecycle planning, Leigh shares what it takes to support uptime from day one to year ten. You’ll learn: -What aftermarket r...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we’re joined by Conal Deedy, Director of Commercial Telematics at Mack Trucks. Conal defines telematics in practical terms and explains how businesses can harness this data to increase profits, optimize routes, and stay ahead on maintenance. Whether you're managing a few trucks or a national fleet, this conversation offers real-world insights into how Mack’s...

In this episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we talk with Scott Sokach, Senior Product Manager for Complete Vehicle and Safety at Mack Trucks. Scott walks us through the innovations behind the new Pioneer’s driver-centric design — from next-level comfort enhancements to the passive safety systems engineered to protect those behind the wheel. Discover how Mack is redefining long-haul peace of mind throug...

In our debut episode of Beyond the Bulldog, we sit down with Allen Zadeh, Mack Trucks’ Design Director and the visionary behind the bold new look of our latest truck. Allen shares the inspiration, challenges, and deep brand thinking that shaped every curve, line, and feature of this groundbreaking design. From sketches to steel, hear how Mack’s design legacy evolves to meet the future of trucking...