Keeping It Roehl

With over 40 years on TeamRoehl, Kevin Lieders has worn many hats. From driving, to sales, to now refrigerated and dedicated customer service, Kevin's been an integral part of Roehl's success. Kevin shares how he got started with Roehl, including talking to our founder, Everett Roehl, and how he helped start our dry van business. Kevin also talks about how we started our refrigerated business, including how we drafted then refrigerated driver (and now Fleet Training Manager) Jason Francis.

In this episode, dedicated fleet driver Daniel Z. joins Jason and Travis to talk about how he finally got into trucking, after a long time thinking about it. Dan researched safe trucking companies, and that's how he first found Roehl. Dan shares his experience with Roehl's on-the-job CDL training program and how he's been doing since he got his CDL. Dan talks about how he manages his home life with a new baby and two older boys, and how trucking is helping give them a better a life.

In this bonus episode, recorded live at our TeamRoehl Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 22, 2023, you'll hear from teammates who were honored at the event. Roehl's signature event recognizes driver honorees for their accomplishments, and all teammates for specific anniversary milestones for 2022.

Jessica J. joins host Jason and Travis to talk about our driving teammates deliver success to our customers. Jason shares that Jessica was his fleet manager years ago in our curtainside division. Jessica now works in our flatbed division, focusing on the Chicago market.

Chris A., Roehl's Maintenance Support Manager, joins new host Jason Francis & Travis to talk about how Roehl is innovating and supporting driving teammates with our exceptional breakdown support and maintenance. Chris shares how Roehl measures time in the shop in minutes while other trucking companies measure that time in days.

John Spiros, Roehl's Vice President of Safety & Claims Management, joins previous guest Jason Francis & Travis to talk about John's history in the military. John was in the Air Force, and he was stationed in Germany. John shares his career progression from the military to law enforcement to the transportation industry. John worked for a number of trucking companies before joining TeamRoehl, and he's celebrating 20 years as a leader on our great team! John is also a Wisconsin State Representative, and he talks about how he balances those elements of his life. John explains how we operationalize safety, and how we empower our drivers to drive the Roehl Way to Protect Others. Jason, who was also in the military and stationed in Germany, shares that he drove for 30 years, and he now helps new drivers as they are starting their careers with us.

In Michael's final episode, he shares some of his favorite experiences with Roehl and some of his favorite podcast episodes. We thank Mike for his dedication to TeamRoehl and his commitment to living our values - especially Safety and Driver Driven. Mike provided instruction and support to other driving teammates, and he modeled behaviors that have helped others achieve Driver Success. When Roman and Michael started this podcast, they used their extensive trucking industry experience and their humor to share what it's like to actually be a member of our great team. We will miss Mike, and we wish him well as he moves closer to his family. And, we'll continue to bring you interviews with other teammates and so much more!

John Paape, Roehl's VP of Technology joins Michael & Travis to talk about a number of innovations that are already benefiting our team and some exciting updates that coming. John shares the work we've done to enhance our world-class maintenance team's systems and processes, the leadership position we've taken with our in-cab technology and so much more. John talks about cybersecurity, our Driver Advisory Group and the importance of sharing feedback with our leadership via the My Roehl App (that feedback drives even more innovation!).

In this episode, Van Midwest Regional truck driver Robert M. joins Michael and Travis to talk about his experience with Roehl Transport. Robert joined Roehl through our paid CDL A training program. He is also a Certified Truck Driver Trainer, helping other drivers be successful in the trucking industry. Robert shares how he appreciates Roehl's cornerstone value of safety, and he talks about the things he likes to do outside of the truck, including board games and role playing games. ion.

In this episode, Steven Steingraber joins Michael, Travis and guest host Travares Johnson to talk about his work in Extended Operations Support. Roehl provides 24/7 support to our driving teammates, and Steven discusses some of things he regularly helps with. He also talks about why there are some things our Extended Operations Support team cannot help with. Travares shares some of his tricks for success that he used when he was driving for Roehl. And the group has a lively discussion about superhero movies.

In this episode, Clayton S. joins Michael and guest host Russ to talk about how he joined Roehl and became a professional truck driver. Clayton got paid while he got his CDL through Roehl, and he's now a national fleet truck driver in Roehl's Flatbed Division.

In this episode, Michael and Travis catch up with Kourtney, Geoff, and Mitchell who all completed Roehl's Get Your CDL on-the-job training program and found success in the transportation industry. They were also featured in a series of award-winning videos that you can watch on YouTube. They share some of their most memorable times with Roehl and driving, and how their lives have changed since become professional truck drivers.

In this episode, Alex Melville joins Michael and Travis to talk about Information Technology and support at Roehl. They also talk about pop culture, videos games, music and so much more.Innovation is one of our values, and that extends from our trucks, to software and hardware support, cybersecurity and so much more.

In this first episode of 2023, Sara Y. joins Michael and Travis to talk about the many benefits Roehl provides our teammates. In addition to traditional health, vision, dental and life, Roehl is also innovating by providing new benefits to help and support our teammates. Member of TeamRoehl enjoy access to a robust lineup of employee benefit options. Whatever stage of life you’re in – it’s likely we have something that supports your particular needs. Please review the information carefully and be sure you take full advantage of everything that’s on offer. Learn more at RoehlBenefits.com

'Tis the season! in this bonus episode, Michael and Travis talk Christmas plans and traditions, whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie, and New Years' resolutions. Wishing you the best this holiday holiday season and safe miles for 2023!

It's Christmas week! Join Michael & Travis as this sit down with Kylene N. & Janel W., Roehl Transport Fleet Training Managers. This is an excellent episode for people who are considering joining the trucking industry. You'll hear how Roehl does things differently, and the care and commitment to Driver Success is apparent in how Kylene & Janel work with new driving teammates.

In this episode, Dan and Steven join Michael to talk about how they joined Roehl, why they became Certified Driver Trainers and their experiences with Roehl.

In this episode, Brad R. joins Michael and guest host Michelle J.. As Roehl's Director of Operations in our Finance Department, Brad shares insights into Roehl driver pay plans, our innovative sliding mileage pay scales, full per diem for truckers, and so much more.

Million mile safe driver Karen B. and her fleet manager, Jesse W., join Michael to talk about how Roehl supports new drivers and experienced professionals, too. Karen joined Roehl through our CDL training program, and she's won multiple Driver of the Year awards in her career with Roehl.

In this Thanksgiving Bonus episode, Jason F. joins Michael and Travis to talk about his driving career, transitioning to a non-driving role planning and how he now supports new drivers as a Fleet Training Manager. Jason logged about 3.5 million miles, and he was also a driver trainer. Jason is also a talented musician, and he shares some stories and tunes in this show.

In this Thanksgiving week episode, Mason G., Roehl's Customer Marketing & Engagement Manager, joins Michael and Russell P. Mason talks about the many roles he has with Roehl. From customer pricing and service, to advocating for our driving teammates, to many ways TeamRoehl gives back (Scholarship, United Way and sustainability) as part of our corporate responsibility and Living Our Values of Do the Right Thing and Delivering Success.

In this episode, guest host Keith joins Michael to interview Mark A. Mark shares why he left his career in software sales to get his CDL and become a truck driver. Mark is also now a certified driver trainer, and he is also finishing his two-year apprenticeship program through Roehl. Mark talks about his experiences with Roehl, and he gives real insight into how he was/is successful, and how he helps his student drivers be successful. Mark is a national fleet truck driver in Roehl's Flatbed Division.

In this special Bonus Episode, David Marihugh joins Michael and Travis. Dave is a national fleet van driver, and he is a finalist for the Transition Trucking: Driving to Excellence award - a national competition that recognizes the successful transition in the trucking industry following military service.Dave served 25 years in the US Navy, and he joined Roehl in November of 2021. Dave got paid while he got his CDL through Roehl, and he’s now a National Fleet driver in our Dry Van division. Dave also recently completed Roehl’s Trainer Foundations Course so he’s a Certified Driver Trainer, helping new drivers achieve Driver Success! Dave shared in his essay that he continues “…to exhibit the values the military has imparted in my life: integrity, accountability, reliability, humility and compassion. These values extend throughout my personal and professional life in my interactions with customers and team members. The time in the military taught me about honor, courage and humility and those are characteristics that are part of who I am as a person.”Roehl’s Van Group President, Don Ingersoll, noted that the values Dave holds dear align with Roehl’s company values. “First, Dave drives the Roehl Way to Protect Others – living our value of Safety. Second, Dave is Driver Driven – he leads the way by trip‐planning, being on‐time and being accountable for his performance. That also helps him Deliver Success to our customers and our teammates. And, Dave goes beyond simply delivering freight; he understands how his professionalism as a driver impacts Roehl Transport, our customers, our teammates, the people he shares the road with and our country. He is a leader!”Transition Trucking is presented by the U.S Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes Program (HOH), Kenworth, and FASTPORT. It's a national competition for America’s top military rookie driver. The winning driver is selected after a year-long competition among veterans, guard members and reservists who have made the successful transition in the trucking industry following military service. To learn more about the Transition Trucking award, visit www.transitiontrucking.org.Roehl Transport has repeatedly been recognized as a Military Friendly Employer, and the company has had a driving teammate in the (now) Top 12 every year since 2018. Joseph Campbell won the award as a member of TeamRoehl in 2019.

In Roman's last episode for a while, Travis O. joins the podcast to talk about golf, sports and, of course, safety. Travis is Roehl's Safety Supervisor, and Roehl Transport is one of North America's safest and most successful trucking companies. Listen to the end to hear an update from Roman, too.

In this episode, David K. joins Michael to talk about his CDL training through Roehl's Get Your CDL program, his time with his certified trainer, the Roehl Way of Protective Driving (the trucking industry's most advanced safe driving program), BBQ, grilling, how he spends his home time, beautiful places to travel (and ride motorcycles) and so much more.David is a regional fleet driver in Roehl's Dairyland Refrigerated fleet - so he's home at least 48 hours each week.

Jessica O., Roehl's Talent Talent Acquisition Specialist, joins Michael and guest host Russ to discuss career options outside of the truck. Roehl Transport non-driving jobs include driver support roles, fleet management and dispatch, customer service, information technology and so much more. They also discuss Roehl's recent non-driver referral bonus!

Flatbed National Fleet driver Davon (Dayyy) W. joins Roman and Michael to share how he got started in trucking, what he did before Roehl, how the Get Your CDL program prepared him for the job, and how Roehl's been since he went solo. Roehl's tuition-free CDL training offers on-the-job, paid instruction to get your CDL. Davon talks about his desire to be an owner operator truck driver some day and he reiterates several times that he likes Roehl's safety culture.

People often say, "Roehl's a great company to start with." And, of course, our training program for people who want to get a CDL is arguable the best in the US. In this episode, you'll hear from a number of Roehl teammates about why Roehl is also a great trucking company for experienced drivers. Roehl has drivers with over 40 years of service and many, many million-mile-safe drivers (who logged all of those miles with Roehl).

In this bonus episodes, you'll hear from Roehl Transport Certified Driver Trainers Marcus and Steve, who share their insights about Roehl and about what it's like to be a trainer for the company.

Erin A., Roehl's Director of Van Customer Service, joins Michael and Roman to discuss how Roehl's growth helps drivers and our customers. She also shares some of her experiences with her various roles on TeamRoehl, and what has kept her her at Roehl for the last two years. Roehl offers excellent service to our customers, and Erin highlights the various work her team does to meet our customer expectations AND our driving teammates' expectations. It's a complex balancing act that Erin notes is made better with communication.The discussion also touches on how, as Roehl grows, we're able to offer more capacity to our customers, we're able to win new lanes and to create more opportunities and driving jobs for our driving teammates. Erin is an excellent example of a non-driving teammate helping our driving teammates create Driver Success, which is a commitment that aligns with our values, and Delivering Success, a value our customers keep returning to as we celebrate our 60 years of Safety and Service.

Elizabeth M., Fleet Operations Manager, joins Roman and Michael to talk about how she joined Roehl. Liz shares more about the many roles she's played in her seven years with Roehl. From extended operations support (night dispatch) to fleet management to fleet operations managing fleet managers to managing van and refrigerated truck assignments to working with our new-to-driving teammates, Liz has a long history of success on TeamRoehl.It's clear that as a company, our 60 years of Safety and Service is empowered by the people on TeamRoehl who are living our values every day.

In this episode, Roman and Michael talk about some current trends at Roehl and discuss some upcoming events.

In this second of two bonus episodes, you'll hear from Roehl Transport Certified Driver Trainers Daniel W. and Buddy J. Both pull flatbed freight, and they share their insights about Roehl and about what it's like to be a trainer for Roehl. Both got paid while they got their CDLs through Roehl, and Buddy is now an owner operator running his own trucking company.

Content warning: this podcast contains subject manner that some listeners may find disturbing.In this episode, Laura Cyrus, Truckers Against Trafficking's (TAT) Senior Director of Industry Training & Outreach, joins Michael and guest host Jason to discuss TAT's mission to to educate, equip, empower and mobilize members of the trucking, bus and energy industries to combat human trafficking. Laura talks about trafficking, red flags and what you can do if you see any red flags. Truckers Against Trafficking recognizes that members of the trucking industry and individual truck drivers are important in the fight against this heinous crime. As the eyes and ears of our nation's highways, truck drivers are in a unique position to make a difference and close loopholes to traffickers who seek to exploit our transportation system for their personal gain. Members of our industry have demonstrated their effectiveness in reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement to help authorities arrest perpetrators and rescue victims.The Truckers Against Trafficking App can help you identify and report instances of human trafficking when you’re on the go.Roehl Transport is a proud sponsor of Truckers Against Trafficking's mission, and Roehl provides TAT training and support to our teammates.

In this first of two bonus episodes, you'll hear from Roehl Transport Certified Driver Trainers Daniel W. and Buddy J. Both pull flatbed freight, and they share their insights about Roehl and about what it's like to be a trainer for Roehl. Both got paid while they got their CDLs through Roehl, and Buddy is now an owner operator running his own trucking company.

Brent K., Fleet Operations Manager for Roehl's Dedicated Division, joins Roman and Michael to talk about the work our truck driving teammates do for our dedicated customers. Brent also speaks about how Roehl's support teams, from operations to maintenance to customer service, work together to deliver customer and driver success.Brent mentions several fleets that may have opportunities on them in this episode, including fleets with recent truck driver pay increases.Brent notes that our dedicated teammates get excellent miles, consistent routes, repeat locations and weekly (and often weekend) home time truck drivers can plan around.Brent also encourages everyone to hold safety as a value and drive the Roehl Way to Protect Others.

Lucas Heart, Roehl's Marketing & Communications Manager, joins Michael and a returning Roman to discuss many of the good things Roehl offers.

Flatbed Regional driver Jaime S. joins guest hosts Judah and Jason to share how he got started in trucking, why he chose Roehl over other trucking companies and how is career is going. Jaime came through Roehl's free CDL training (here's how you can Get Paid While You Get Your CDL). As a driver in Roehl's Tri-State Flatbed Regional Fleet, Jaime notes that his equipment is kept "top-of-the-line" and he gets home when he is supposed to be there.

Roehl's Employee Wellness Coordinator, Tianna V., joins Michael & guest host Judah to talk about healthy eating and choices. Tianna also shared some new foods with our hosts, so you'll hear their honest reaction as they do an on-air taste-test. You'll also get Michael's famous kale recipe!

VP of Technology John Paape joins Michael and guest host Judah to talk about our technology, some projects our IT team is working on and how that innovation helps our driving teammates.

After a bit of a hiatus, we're back with a very special episode recorded live at our TeamRoehl Annual Awards Banquet! Join Michael and guest host Logan as they talk to honorees, guests and volunteers at Roehl's signature event recognizing driver honorees for their accomplishments, and all teammates for specific anniversary milestones. You'll hear from driver honorees who have won Driver of the Year, Outstanding Trainer of the Year, Outstanding Performance, and Owner Operator Business Partners of the Year. You'll also hear from Million Mile Safe Drivers and from teammates for celebrating 10-40 years of service with TeamRoehl!

Refrigerated driver Darrell M. joins Roman and Michael to discuss his long career with Roehl, including why he has retired and returned to Roehl multiple times.

In this podcast, you'll hear from Jeff E. about Roehl's owner operator and lease purchase program. You will hear how you can become an owner operator leased on with Roehl.

In this episode, you'll hear from Travares J., a Roehl instructor who delivers our Certified Driver Trainer training. Before his current role, Travares was company driver, an award-winning owner operator leased on with Roehl and a Certified Driver Trainer himself. Travares shares his experiences getting started in trucking, how things have changed and how, in his current role, he prepares other Certified Driver Trainers to share their experiences with new CDL school graduates as well as those who've come through Roehl's on-the-job CDL truck driver training program (Get Your CDL).This episode was recorded in the fall of 2021.

In this episode, Tim Norlin, Vice President of Driver Employment, joins Roman and Michael to talk about how Roehl connects with professional truck drivers and those who want be drivers. Tim shares how he helps drivers find positions that work for them (like local truck driving jobs as well as dedicated truck driving jobs) and how Roehl recruiters use Integrity Sheets with experienced drivers who join Roehl to ensure agreement on home time, truck driver pay, equipment and other things that drivers care about. Tim shares how he got into driver recruiting, plus a conversation about Tim's recent trip to the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (Tim is a CVTA board member) conference for truck driving schools and entry level driver training (ELDT). A trucking industry expert, Tim also earned the Transport Topics Recruiting Professional of Year Award in 2020. This episode was recorded in the fall of 2021.

In this episode, you'll hear Shane "Mick" C.'s story. Mick shares why he came to the US from Australia, how he came through Roehl's free CDL training (here's how you can Get Paid While You Get Your CDL) and how being a professional truck driver has allowed him to see America. Mick notes that he started in a flatbed truck driving job and that he was working to switch to Roehl's curtainside fleet. A quick word of caution on this week's episode: there's some salty language in one of the stories Mick, Roman and Michael talk about.

Hear Roman read a short poem. Happy Holidays!

Ajduan (AJ) D. moved to the United States from Turkey in 1999. AJ got his CDL through Roehl and is a driver trainer in our refrigerated division. He shares with Roman & Michael what he likes about hauling refrigerated loads, his training style and so much more.

CEO Rick Roehl joins Roman and Michael on the official Roehl Transport Keeping It Roehl Podcast. They discuss some Roehl Transport history and where we are going in the future, including our safety results and our health & wellness program.Rick has done most every job in the company, from company driver to fleet manager to load planner and everything in between. Rick maintains his Class A CDL. He's a professional driver who still gets behind the wheel to stay close to our drivers and customers. Roehl drivers are leaders, and our leader is a driver.

In this episode Ellen Voie, the President & CEO of the Women in Trucking (WIT) Association, joins Roman & Michael. Ellen talks about WIT, how she got in trucking and how WIT started. Roehl is a member of the Women in Truck Association and we were recently named a Top Company For Women to Work For In Transportation - our third consecutive year receiving this distinction. Tim Norlin, VP of Driver Employment, also joined the podcast.