eShipping is pleased to announce the recent addition of Brandon Kraal, who serves as Director of Solutions at eShipping.
Brandon graduated in 1998 from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in International Economics. After graduating, he started his career working with Fritz Companies, an International Logistics company eventually purchased by UPS Supply Chain Solutions. He oversaw all ocean, air and CHB pricing activities for the Western U.S and led a team developing cost effective solutions for new and existing customers. Brandon also worked with Trans American CHB as the Director of Global Transportation, overseeing their global forwarding, ocean and air transportation division.
Brandon currently serves as the Director of Solutions. His primary responsibility is to direct the development of product lines and solutions for all eShipping clients, shippers, and carriers. Brandon oversees the implementation of these solutions through all major accounts and maintains carrier relationships.
There are several new faces that have recently joined the eShipping Team. We want to wish a warm welcome to Hudson Kemna, Oriana Tucker and Brianne Totta who have joined the Client Care Deparment. Jenny Moyer, Rochelle Newberry, and Andrew Smith who are now a part of the Bill Pay and Audit Team. And Ed Ernst who has joined the New Business Development Team. Keep reading for a quick bio on each of them.
Hudson Kemna
Hudson Kemna graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor in Science in Interactive Digital Media with an emphasis in Mass Communication from Northwest Missouri State University. He brings two years of client care experience from his previous job at Brookstone, working as an Assistant Sales Manager. Hudson currently serves as a Shipping Specialist in our Client Services Department. He plays a key role in creating an efficient and courteous customer service experience while cultivating and managing vendor relationships. Hudson is responsible for routing and tracking freight from point of entry into the system, through delivery.
Hudson currently resides in Merriam, KS.
Oriana Tucker
Oriana Tucker graduated with a major in Business Marketing from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska in 2004. She has previous experience with KSFY-TV as an Administrative Assistant working with the company website, printing and sending out invoices each month, entering accounts payable into the system, and payroll. Oriana currently serves as a Shipment Care Support Specialist. Her primary responsibilities include identifying missed pickups and improper billing as well as missing PRO numbers. Oriana also plays a key role in entering important data from our clients into our system.
Oriana currently resides in Sioux Falls, SD with her husband Robert and their son Avery.
Brianne Totta
Brianne Totta is currently is working towards an Associate degree in Nursing from Penn Valley Community College. She has previous experience working with vendors as a Sales Associate at Hemline in Kansas City. Brianne currently serves as a Shipment Care Support Specialist. She works to identify missing PRO numbers, missed pickups and improper billing. Brianne also plays a key role in entering key information into our system.
Brianne currently resides in Independence, MO with her husband Ben. They are expecting their first child, Gianna, in January.
Jenny Moyer
Jenny Moyer graduated in 2006 from DeVry University with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. She has previous work experience as a Fund Accountant at State Street Bank and Trust where she audited the daily activities, as well as prepared monthly accounting control reports reconciliation. Jenny also worked as a Finance Specialist at YRC Logistics working to review, analyze, audit, and dispute invoices for carrier payment. She was also responsible for assessing and interpreting transportation pricing agreements and client service contracts. Jenny currently serves as a member of the Freight Bill Pay and Audit Team. She is responsible for efficiently auditing freight invoices and payment process by ensuring that correct billing was issued as well as resolving charges of LTL freight bills.
Jenny currently resides in Oak Grove, MO with her husband Keith and their children Jacob, Emily, and Brady.
Rochelle Newberry
Rochelle Newberry graduated from the American Institute of Business in 1990 with an Associates Degree in Business Administration and Office Management. She has previous experience as an Office Manager for Unishippers where she worked with Customer Service, Accounts Receivable, and processed shipments. In addition to her experience at Unishippers, she also worked as the Office Manager for Airborn Express. Rochelle is currently working full-time for The Ken Bratney Companies as a Transportation Specialist where she is in charge of transporting all parts and equipment to their customers on schedule and in good condition. Rochelle joins eShipping as a part-time member of the Freight Bill Pay and Audit Team. Her primary responsibilities include entering freight invoices into our system as well as auditing the payment process to ensure that correct billing was issued.
Rochelle currently resides in Osceola, Iowa with her husband Mike and their two daughters Brandi and Courtney.
Andrew Smith
Andrew Smith is working towards a Degree in Bible Exposition at Northland International University.
He has seven years of previous client care experience working as a cashier for Costco Wholesale. Andrew currently serves as a Freight Bill Audit Specialist. He plays a key role in auditing the freight bills and entering them into our system. His responsibilities include working closely with our carriers to insure accurate and timely billing, as well as working with our Account Managers to provide the necessary components for our customers invoicing needs.
Andrew Currently resides in Olathe, KS with his wife Amy.
Ed Ernst
Ed Ernst graduated from Rockhurst University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he started his career as an Account Manager and moved up to Terminal Manager for Consolidated Freightways. Ed also worked for Vitran Express where he served as Service Center Manager, Regional Director of Sales, and then National Account Executive. He now serves as Senior Account Manager for eShipping. His primary responsibility is to determine specific needs, development, and implementing comprehensive solutions for potential clients.
Ed currently resides in Genevieve County, MO with his wife Karen. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
Business continues to grow for eShipping, which means that our team is growing with it. We want to wish a warm welcome to our newest team members, Alicia Feathers, Erik Juergensen, John Rumpza and Andrew Weiss. Keep reading for a quick bio on each of them.
Alicia Feathers
Alicia Feathers attended DeVry University. She graduated from Keller Graduate School in 2010 with a Master of Accounting and Financial Management. Alicia brings with her an extensive background in transportation and finance. She also has experience in the 3PL industry with MIQ Logistics. Alicia worked closely with their Transportation Management teams including IT, Operations, Carrier Management, and their Client base, leading projects for carrier freight bill processing and financial operations. Alicia currently serves as the Freight Bill and Audit Lead. Her primary responsibilities, in addition to supporting the members of the Freight Bill and Audit Team, are to audit and resolve charges of LTL, FTL and Ocean freight bills. Alicia plays a key role in efficiently auditing all system shipments, including resolution of disputed carrier invoice charges.
Alicia lives in Cass County, with her Fiancé Dan, and her three children.
Erik Juergensen
Erik Juergensen graduated in 1992 with a degree in Organizational Communications from Westminster College in Fulton, MO. He has previous experience as a Developer/Team Lead at KSB Dental developing software, training developers on new technologies, and managing the overall development process. Erik also taught Programming at Centriq, a technology training company. He currently serves as a member of the Technology Team at eShipping. Erik plays a key role in engineering the software for the Transportation Management System. His responsibilities include testing, software distributing, and implementation.
Erik currently resides in Grain Valley, MO with his wife Lisa.
John Rumpza
John Rumpza graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He has several years of management and client care experience including his most recent position at AMFS as a project manager, working with technical support, client care, and preparing billing. He also worked with Cellular Sales as the Director of Wireless working with sales, client relationship management, technical support, and cash management. John currently serves as the Full Truckload Specialist responsible for routing and tracking freight from point of entry into the Transportation Management System (TMS) through delivery. John plays a key role in providing efficient and reliable client care, ensuring that inbound calls from clients and their suppliers are entered into the system.
John currently resides in Lee Summit, KS.
Andrew Weiss
Andrew Weiss graduated in 2000 from Bob Jones University with a degree in Bible. He then received his Master of Divinity at Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary in 2011. Andrew brings several years of client care experience to the eShipping team. He worked as an Account Executive at Lanier Worldwide in Kansas and Pennsylvania and a Production Manager at System 22 in Pennsylvania. Andrew currently serves as a Transportation Specialist. He is responsible for prospecting new clients as well as implementing solutions and addressing specific issues for current clients and carriers. Andrew plays a key role in operating both contract and brokerage services for several hundred full truckload, flatbed, and special equipment moves every month.
Andrew currently resides in Odessa, MO with his wife Ann and five daughters, Alayna, Katrina, Victoria, Olivia, and Sophia.
In addition to the Operations Department growth, the Technology Team is also expanding. We want to wish a warm welcome to the newest member of the eShipping team, Steven Tuckness.
Steven Tuckness graduated from Park University in December of 2010 with a degree in Computer Science, emphasizing in Systems Analysis and Design. He previously worked as a contract Software Engineer at CenturyLink, where he built a website using Microsoft’s .NET platform. Through the creation of the website he doubled the number of customers connecting to each device, allowing them to cut the required hardware in half. He also has experience as a Junior Web Developer at Park University.
Steven currently serves as a member of the eShipping Technology Team. He will be responsible for the User Interface of the Transportation Management System. Steven will play a key role in launching the new Transportation Management System by taking part in testing, third party integration, software distributing, and implementation.
Steven lives with his fiancée Renu Tamang in Parkville, MO.
eShipping’s Operations Department experienced significant growth in June and July 2011. Josh Greenlee, Joe Huff, Jason Stamets, and Bryce Coggin joined the team as Customer Service/Transportation Specialists, serving eShipping clients with their multi-mode transportation needs.
As members of the Operations Team, they are responsible for receiving inbound client calls and inputting that information into the eShipping Transportation Management System, where it is optimized according to transit time, mode, etc. and managed through delivery. They also play a key role in eShipping’s Inbound Freight Program, by efficiently managing pick up, routing, and delivery of inbound freight from suppliers to clients.
Jason Stamets will graduate in 2012 from Northwest Missouri State University with a Public Relations degree. He has previous experience as an Office Administrator for the Census Bureau Regional Census Office, and as an Accounts Receivable Student Assistant at Northwest Missouri State University.
Joe Huff graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2005 with a degree in International Relations. For four years following graduation, he worked with Student Mobilization, a college student ministry, and spent one year working abroad in India. Most recently, he worked at Transplace, a 3PL in Northwest Arkansas in Account Management.
Bryce Coggin and Josh Greenlee are at the beginning of their careers, both bringing valuable customer service backgrounds to eShipping and a passion for working with people and serving others.
Jason, Joe, Bryce, and Josh all reside in the Kansas City, MO area.
Our eShipping family continues to grow! We want wish a warm welcome to Brian Tyrrell, Reina Brooks, and Jordan Kratz. See below for a quick bio of each our newest team members:
Brian Tyrrell
Brian Tyrrell joins the eShipping New Business Development Team as a Sales Executive. He is responsible for determining specific needs, developing, and implementing comprehensive solutions for potential clients.
With over 22 years in the shipping and logistics industry, Brian brings valuable sales, operations, and management experience to eShipping. His experience includes 21 years in the Less Than Truckload industry and one year in the Truckload industry (6 of which were spent in operations and 15 in sales) and spans reputable companies such as Yellow Freight, Vitran Express, and Dohrn.
Brian currently resides in Blue Springs, MO with his wife Sarah. His daughter, Alaina, is currently attending college.
Reina Brooks
Reina Brooks joins eShipping as the newest member of the Finance Team. She is responsible for auditing all fright bills to ensure accurate billing by the carriers. Reina grew up raising cattle and showing horses with her family in southern Texas. She moved to Missouri in the early 1990’s where she met her husband, Jason. In November of 2011, they bought a farm in Holden, MO and where they train and show horses together.
Reina and Jason have two children, Eden and Wyatt.
Jordan Kratz
Jordan Kratz graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and a Minor in Theology. He attended Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he met his wife, Rachel Kratz. Jordan currently serves as the Accounts Payable Specialist, and is responsible for freight bill audit, carrier dispute resolution, claims processing and payment processing for the eShipping team. He plays a key role in managing the processing of multiple payment methods to ensure our partner carriers and other vendors are paid within established time limits. Jordan plans to earn his CPA designation in 2012.
Jordan resides with his wife, Rachel, in Parkville, MO.
eShipping is proud to announce our sponsorship of the 2011 KC RiverFest, THEsummer festival on the riverfront. As a Friend of the River-Kansas City (FOR-KC), we will be taking part in the festival Saturday, July 2nd and Sunday, July 3rd.
Some of the activities include:
A variety of nonstop live music on multiple stages, including jazz, rock ‘roll, folk, country and alternative.
A marketplace with unique shopping and attractions.
A Riverfront Food Festival featuring a variety of tasty goods and drinks.
A family carnival with exciting games and rides courtesy of the Lowery Carnival Company.
A national-caliber fireworks display over the Missouri River that will conclude KCRiverFest on both Saturday and Sunday nights.
Please come out and join us in the fun! Children 5 and under are free. Adult tickets at the gate are $10 each. Visit http://www.kcriverfest.com/ for more information.
eShipping is excited to announce our newest addition to the team… Nick Bland, Senior Manager of International Services.
Nick Bland earned his degree in International Business from Bellarmine College in Louisville, KY. Since that time, he has garnered over 13 years experience in International Logistics, spanning account management, sales, import supervising, and export management.
As a licensed customs broker, Nick comes to eShipping with extensive proficiency in U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Commerce, BIS, EAR, and ITAR. Nick is also active in the International Trade Council of Kansas City and holds the position of Programming Chair.
Nick Bland joined eShipping in 2011 as the Senior Manager of International Services. His primary focus is on the leadership of the International Services division and operation of all import/export activity. He will have a strong focus on procurement of international vendor partnerships and maintaining compliance with all government regulations. Nick will also support customer service efforts of all services related to shipping internationally, enabling eShipping to expand as a force in the International playing field.
Nick resides in Kansas City North with his wife and two children.
Matt Weiss, recently named eShipping’s Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO), earned his CSCP designation in early March, a significant move toward further establishing eShipping’s position among the ranks of our larger, capable industry competitors on a global scale. “With the pace at which our marketplace changes, it is imperative to remain a student of the industry, mastering new topics and challenges we face daily as supply chain and logistics specialists” said Matt Weiss.
The APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) designation is among the top accolades a supply chain professional can earn. With four challenging learning modules, participants receive a broad, encompassing view of global end-to-end supply chain management, with specific focus on cutting edge new developments and concepts.
One specific topic covered was “Using Information Technology to Enable Supply Chain Management.” With eShipping’s continuing focus on providing robust TMS technology as a core offering, this knowledge set and understanding on how to use ERP systems and other technologies to improve the supply chain process will benefit the eShipping sales and training staff, new and current clients, and future programs implemented at eShipping.
About Matt Weiss
Matt Weiss graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S.B.A. in Business with a specialization in Operations Management & Logistics. Matt was recruited by UPS Freight Services where he specialized in International Freight Forwarding and then managed multiple Logistics operations for UPS Logistics. As UPS combined Logistics and Freight Forwarding into UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Matt traveled the US, developing concepts to integrate supply chain needs into the total 3PL environment. With this expertise, he was recruited by Panalpina, Inc. to manage Business Development out of Denver, Colorado. In 2007, Matt accepted his role at eShipping and serves today as Chief Business Development Officer, with a key focus on revenue-generating business activities and the strategy and general oversight of our product solutions.
About APICS The Association for Operations Management
APICS The Association for Operations Management is the global leader and premier source of the body of knowledge in operations management, serving nearly 33,000 members globally. The APICS education and certification programs are recognized worldwide as the standard of professional competence in production and inventory management, operations management, and supply chain management.
The evolution of the third party logistics (3PL) company dates back to the 1970’s and 80’s, through deregulation, as manufacturers and retailers began outsourcing logistics services to third party entities. Since then, the industry has seen continual change and expansion of services to cover specific geographic regions, modes of transport, and commodities. I consider myself privileged to have served the logistics community for many years, participating in what I consider one of the greatest service industries in America.
As a logistics provider, we are fortunate to work with the very individuals who drive the economic engine of our country, and the people who make this country great. Those entrepreneurs, operations managers, freight carriers, technology companies, CFO’s and the mainstay of America’s workforce that drive efficiencies and production while moving goods both domestically and internationally. As always, our responsibility as a 3PL is to streamline processes, provide efficiencies, and increase savings to our customers and providers through the culmination of experience, expertise, technology, high integrity, and most importantly, relationships.
The relationships nurtured by a 3PL company are a vital lifeline for the successes or failures we see, and instrumental in providing the best possible support to each and every customer. None more so than the relationship with Less Than Truckload (LTL) carriers, who 3PL companies depend on daily. Unfortunately, with the gradual evolution of the 3PL industry, this relationship has become damaged and counterproductive for all parties involved.
Numerous factors have fostered the inefficient and ineffective relationship between many 3PL companies and LTL carriers:
Low Barrier to Entry. There is minimal regulation and low barrier to entry into the 3PL marketplace, which allows many unqualified individuals to create a business with very little capital and a limited vision beyond simply making money for themselves. Their start-up business is often funded by customers’ freight they bring with them from a previous logistics job. This low barrier to entry also allows individuals with minimal respect for the business process to become a “legitimate” player in the 3PL industry.
Auction House. 3PL companies have held carriers hostage for years by developing relationships with key people in the customer’s organization, then becoming an auction house for their freight. Once the auction is complete, the 3PL company keeps a portion of the savings, which often results in more earnings to the 3PL company than the carrier who has acquired 100% of the risk involved. Many 3PL companies offer very limited services beyond this cost reduction process to justify their payment, which leaves carriers and customers disenfranchised.
No True Partnership. Programs between carriers and 3PL companies are rarely, if ever, truly formalized. There is a hesitancy by 3PL companies to make a carrier their primary carrier and truly develop a mutually beneficial relationship. This avoidance of any meaningful program and relationship hinges on the fact that it would limit the 3PL company’s ability to do business with any prospective client or provide any carrier in the marketplace. There are many 3PL companies that avoid vested carrier relationships because it is simply easier to earn a profit by making the easiest sell ever (… “Client X, I can get you a lower rate with the exact same carrier you are using.”) This type of sell bears nothing but distrust and apathy.
The culmination of those select low integrity operations and general distrust between 3PL companies and LTL carriers has created unnecessary obstacles for quality 3PL companies (which there are many of) in the marketplace. LTL carriers have been taken advantage of and 3PL companies find it difficult to navigate the LTL future due to the actions of some of their counterparts. Worst of all, customers feel the strain in this relationship and are left caught in the middle, with little support or faith in the system.
It is for these reasons that a paradigm shift must occur in this industry. Its continual evolvement is paramount for the health and longevity of this industry. It is possible to provide both carriers and customers value as a 3PL company. We must initiate open dialogue on this topic to repair and protect the relationship between 3PL companies, LTL carriers, and customers. Changes to the industry will not happen overnight. They are evolutionary, not revolutionary changes.
The following three topics are just a few of many ideas that could be discussed and acted upon to draw out the discourse and inefficiencies all parties are encountering:
Make a Choice. Carriers should select a limited amount of 3PL companies with which to work. Carriers are going to have to decide who fits and who doesn’t, and feel comfortable with the others walking away.
Standardize and Enforce. Carriers have the ability to set the terms of the engagement. Why not standardize terms and pricing with the 3PL companies the carrier selects as their partners? Let the best value provider and sales team as a 3PL company win. Enforce breaches in rules of engagement. Back solicitation and late payment could be enforced much stronger in our industry.
Limit the Carriers. 3PL companies should limit the carriers in their portfolio. Do 3PL companies really need eight national carriers and 40 regional carriers with whom they work? Why not limit the carriers and deepen the relationship that exists? The carrier, 3PL company, and customer would all benefit from the carrier and 3PL company working closer together. The best carriers should partner with the best 3PL companies and drive the best solutions.
Examples of true collaboration:
3PL companies and carriers reviewing together the freight characteristics in detail to understand the best fits for the carrier and customer. Taking into account the length of the agreement, type of freight, lane fit, etc. With a partnership, there will be a much higher ratio of ‘win’ to bid for the carrier which also greatly reduces the cost of doing business. This will eliminate trolling for pricing with the carriers.
Holding joint sales calls with 3PL company prospects in order to help secure the business for both parties and project a unified front to the customer with joint support.
Carriers assisting in training the 3PL operations and sales teams on their unique and specific product lines.
Enhancing electronic communication between the carrier, 3PL company, and customer. Automating pick-ups, tracking interfaces, and payment processes to drive down costs.
Bottom line, it’s time to start the discussion. These are but a few suggestions to open the dialogue. Both carriers and 3PL companies can offer much value to one another. However, without a paradigm change, both parties are limiting the potential of the relationship and reinforcing the negative divide and atmosphere currently clouding our industry. Let’s continue the evolution.
