Sysco

Building Perspective through Operational Experience

My career started in the warehouse, where I learned firsthand what it takes to keep an operation moving. Selection, loading trucks, managing inventory, and working alongside frontline associates gave me a deep appreciation for the teamwork and discipline it takes to serve our customers every day.

When I transitioned into transportation at Sysco, it felt like everything came together. I could connect the operational side of the business with the customer experience side. That journey taught me that transportation isn’t just about moving freight, it’s about leading people, building partnerships and making sure every part of the operation works together to deliver on our promises.

The Evolving Role of Transportation Leadership

The biggest shift I’ve seen is that transportation leaders can no longer focus solely on trucks and routes. Today, we’re expected to be business partners. That means understanding how transportation impacts sales, warehouse operations, customer experience and the company’s financial performance.

That shift has changed the way I lead. I spend more time collaborating across departments, involving my team in solving problems, and making decisions based on what’s best for the operation, not just transportation. When everyone understands the bigger picture, we make better decisions, respond faster to challenges and create a better experience for our customers. Transportation is no longer just a last step in the supply chain, it’s a strategic part of the business.

Building Trust through Reliable Execution

The biggest improvements are usually the ones our customers never notice because everything simply works. For me, that starts with communication and planning. Bringing routing, dispatch, warehouse and transportation together to solve problems before they reach the customer has made the biggest difference.

I’ve also learned that success isn’t measured by how many routes get completed. Its measured by whether we consistently deliver within our service windows safely and efficiently. Whether supporting large customer implementations or navigating daily operational challenges, focusing on proactive planning, accountability and continuous improvement has strengthened reliability and earned trust with both our customers and our teams.

Transportation is no longer just a last step in the supply chain, it’s a strategic part of the business.

The Advantage of Shared Perspective

I’ve learned that the best ideas rarely come from sitting behind a desk. They come from drivers who run the routes every day, warehouse teams who understand the challenges of loading and the associates working through problems together. Those partnerships have taught me to listen first. Some of our most meaningful improvements have come from simply asking questions and giving people the opportunity to share their ideas.

My vision for transportation is built around that mindset. As technology continues to evolve, our greatest advantage will still be engaged people who collaborate, challenge each other and stay focused on servicing the customer. Strong relationships will always outperform silos.

The Human Side of Operational Excellence

Never lose sight of your people. Trucks, technology, and metrics all matter, but it’s your team that determines how your operation performs when things don’t go as planned. Be visible, ask questions, and listen more than you speak. Spend time with your drivers, dispatchers, and warehouse teams because that’s where you’ll find the best ideas and the earliest signs of potential issues.

When people know they’re heard and supported, they’ll solve problems, hold each other accountable, and take ownership of the operations. One leader doesn’t build strong operations, they’re built by teams that trust each other and work toward the same goal.