In this episode of Supply Chain Connections, Brian Glick speaks with Pavel Kveten, CEO at Girteka Logistics, to dig into what it really takes to build and sustain culture at a major European asset-based trucking company. Pavel is one of those rare executives who spent his entire career at one company, and he has a lot to say about what that vantage point makes possible.
Key topics discussed include:

 * Why the gap between well-capitalized carriers and smaller operators is getting wider
 * What the best supply chains do differently with carrier relationships, and why switching on price tends to backfire
 * Girteka's operating model: control, discipline, and scale, and why scale alone isn't a competitive advantage
 * Why culture is harder to fake in logistics than almost any other industry
 * Brian's theory on what AI should actually change about shipment management, and whether Pavel agrees
 * What Pavel says he's most afraid of (it's not making mistakes)

Pavel Kveten is CEO of Girteka Logistics, a major European asset-based trucking and logistics company, with operations across the continent. He joined Girteka in 2011 and spent his entire logistics career there, moving through roles including COO and Chief Commercial Officer before becoming CEO in 2025. His focus today is on combining operational discipline with emerging technology to drive performance at scale.

Discover Girteka Logistics [https://www.girteka.eu/]
Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/]
Follow Chain.io on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io]

Culture and Scale in European Trucking with Pavel Kveten

Margie Shapiro has led Shapiro, the Baltimore-based customs brokerage and freight forwarder her family founded in 1915, through remote work, a major tech overhaul, and one of the most turbulent tariff environments in recent memory. In this episode, she joins Brian Glick to talk about what it actually takes to keep a company culture intact through all of it.

Topics covered include:

 * How Shapiro stayed connected and kept its culture through the shift to fully remote work
 * Why Margie sees AI as a tool for elevating people, not replacing them
 * The unresolved compliance questions customs brokers are still working through around AI tools
 * What it took to finally replace a legacy platform -- and what she'd tell other leaders holding on too long
 * How the pace of tariff change is affecting the people doing day-to-day compliance work
 * What customers really need from their logistics partners right now

Margie Shapiro is the CEO of Shapiro, a family-owned global logistics company specializing in international freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and compliance consulting. She has spent her career helping businesses navigate the complexities of international trade and has led the company through significant modernization while keeping its relationship-first culture intact.

Learn more about Shapiro [https://www.shapiro.com/]
Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/]
Follow Chain.io on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io]

Culture, Customs, and Resilience with Margie Shapiro

In this episode of Supply Chain Connections, Brian Glick sits down with John Anderson, Operating Partner at Greenbriar Equity, to unpack the role of private equity in the transportation and logistics industry. John shares insights from over two decades of investing in and operating supply chain businesses, offering a clear view into how private equity firms evaluate companies, create value, and drive growth.

The conversation explores what private equity really means for companies and employees, how leadership and culture impact outcomes, and where technology—especially AI—is shaping the future of logistics.

Key topics discussed include:

 * What private equity firms do and how they invest in logistics companies
 * How value is created through growth, operations, and M&A strategies
 * Why combining companies can unlock cost and revenue synergies
 * The importance of leadership, culture, and decision-making in PE-backed businesses
 * How employees can better understand and adapt to private equity ownership
 * The evolving role of technology and AI in supply chain operations
 * Why AI is more about better decision-making than just cost reduction
 * How time horizons influence investment decisions and company strategy
 * The long-term outlook for logistics and the role of capitalism in industry growth

John also shares his perspective on how innovation, data, and automation are reshaping the industry—and why logistics remains one of the most dynamic and essential sectors in the global economy.

About the Guest:
John Anderson is an Operating Partner at Greenbriar Equity, where he focuses on investing in and growing transportation and logistics companies. With over 25 years of experience in private equity and a background that includes leadership roles at Fenway Partners, BNSF, CSX, and McKinsey & Company, John brings deep industry expertise across operations, strategy, and M&A.

Discover Greenbriar Equity [https://www.greenbriar.com/]
Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/]
Follow Chain.io on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io]

Private Equity in Supply Chain with John Anderson

In this special TPM Tech Preview episode, Brian Glick sits down with Eric Johnson of the Journal of Commerce to go behind the scenes of TPM and TPM Tech. Eric explains how the conference has evolved from its transpacific shipping roots into a broader forum for containerized supply chains, global economics, geopolitics, and technology—and why an editorial-first approach remains central to its credibility.

Together, they explore how TPM Tech sessions are designed, how topics and speakers are selected months in advance, and how the program avoids becoming sales-driven or trend-chasing. The conversation also dives into what Eric is most excited about for the upcoming event, from challenging long-held industry assumptions to framing more practical, grounded discussions around AI.

Key topics discussed include:

 * The evolution of TPM and the role of TPM Tech within the broader conference
 * Why editorial independence matters in conference programming
 * How panels are developed, prepped, and structured for real audience value
 * Avoiding hype-driven content around AI, blockchain, and other “topic du jour” trends
 * Challenging industry sacred cows like data silos and visibility models
 * What attendees can expect from this year’s TPM Tech and main-stage sessions

About the guest
Eric Johnson is Senior Editor of Technology at the Journal of Commerce, where he leads coverage and analysis of how technology is shaping global logistics and trade. He regularly reports on how shippers, carriers, and logistics providers use software across procurement, execution, visibility, and payment, and is a frequent moderator and presenter at major industry events.

Eric also plays a key role in developing the TPM and TPM Tech conference programs, helping shape editorial-driven discussions that cut through hype and focus on practical, real-world technology challenges facing the supply chain industry.

Connect with Eric [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejohnson3242/]
Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/]
Follow Chain.io on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io]

Inside TPM Tech and Editorial-Driven Conference Programming with Eric Johnson

In this episode of Supply Chain Connections, Greg Slawson joins Brian Glick to share insights from a career spanning automotive manufacturing, global consulting, logistics tech startups, and leading freight forwarders. The conversation dives deep into how large organizations approach decision-making, how to handle cultural differences in global logistics, and what the future holds for technology in the industry.
Topics covered include:

 * The evolution of Greg’s supply chain journey from Ford to Deloitte to DSV
 * Lessons on navigating bureaucracy, change management, and cross-cultural communication
 * The challenge of balancing customer needs with asset utilization in large carriers
 * The emerging role of agentic AI and orchestration in reducing manual, low-value tasks
 * Practical AI applications for 3PLs to boost efficiency and profitability
 * Why real partnerships between shippers and service providers are rare—but powerful when they happen
 * The ongoing shift toward more volatile, opportunity-rich global supply chains

About the Guest:
 Greg Slawson brings over 35 years of supply chain and logistics leadership spanning automotive, technology, and consulting sectors. His career includes senior roles at Ford Motor Company in supply chain and logistics operations, followed by executive positions as VP at G-Log/Oracle, CEO at OPS, and EVP Vertical Lead at DSV, one of the world's largest logistics providers. Throughout his career, Greg has driven operational excellence and strategic transformation across complex global supply chains.

Connect with Greg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-slawson-4578a513/]
Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/]
Follow Chain.io on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io]

Navigating Change and Tech Innovation with Greg Slawson

In this episode of Supply Chain Connections, Brian Glick speaks with Dan Bailey, co-founder and CEO of Nexcade, about the evolving role of AI automation in logistics and how forward deployment is reshaping software development for freight forwarders. Drawing on his unique journey from investment banking to logistics tech, Dan shares what drew him into the industry and why he stayed.Key discussion points include:

 * Dan’s transition from finance to supply chain tech via Sedna and venture capital
 * The foundational ideas behind Nexcade and its focus on rate lifecycle automation
 * How forward deployment enables scalable AI implementation in logistics operations
 * Lessons learned about change management and customizing software in complex environments
 * The shift from deterministic to adaptive software approaches in supply chain tech
 * Insights into improving the software buying process within logistics organizations

About the Guest:
Dan Bailey is co-founder and CEO of Nexcade, a company building AI-powered automation tools for global freight forwarders. With a background that spans investment banking, venture capital, and supply chain tech, Dan brings a unique perspective to solving operational challenges in logistics. Before launching Nexcade, he served as COO at Sedna and was part of MMC Ventures, where he focused on early-stage supply chain software platforms. Dan’s work centers on simplifying complex workflows and helping logistics teams operate more efficiently through automation.

Connect with Dan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dljbailey/]
Discover Nexcade [https://nexcade.ai/]
Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/]
Follow Chain.io on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io]

AI Automation and Forward Deployment with Dan Bailey

In this episode of Supply Chain Connections, Brian Glick sits down with Juan Cora, founder and CEO of Aquatio Software, to explore the intersection of software innovation, supply chain operations, and the evolving role of AI. Drawing on his decades of experience in warehouse management systems and technology leadership, Juan shares insights into the balance between productized software and service-heavy implementations, the challenges of interoperability, and the importance of designing solutions for the “lowest common denominator” in the supply chain.
Key discussion points include:

 * Juan’s career journey from consulting to leading WMS development at Manhattan Associates to founding Aquatio
 * How AI tools are transforming the speed, ease, and creativity of software development
 * The analogy between Roman concrete and today’s AI capabilities as a “new building material”
 * Why extensibility and configuration matter in supply chain technology design
 * The critical role of interoperability in connecting shippers, carriers, brokers, and customers
 * Strategies for meeting diverse technology capabilities across supply chain partners

About the guest:
Juan Cora is the founder and CEO of Aquatio Software, where he focuses on democratizing technology and enhancing multi-enterprise collaboration. A recognized thought leader in supply chain logistics, he has worked with Fortune 500 companies to advance digital enablement in fulfillment, transportation, and visibility.

Connect with Juan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-cora-86664639/]
Discover Aquatio Software [http://aquatiosoft.com/]
Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/]
Follow Chain.io on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io]
Follow Aquatio Software on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquatiosoft/]

Building Interoperable Supply Chain Solutions with Juan Cora

In this episode of Supply Chain Connections, Brian Glick speaks with Carly Monzo, founder of ExFreighters, about making freight forwarding more accessible and empowering logistics professionals with practical education and personal AI tools. Carly shares her journey from freight forwarding rookie to consultant and entrepreneur, offering a candid look at the challenges newcomers face and the critical importance of industry education.
Topics discussed include:

 * Why logistics feels more complicated than it is—and how jargon plays a role
 * How Carly’s workshops demystify freight operations and invoice auditing
 * Strategies for preserving vendor relationships while improving freight visibility
 * The emotional toll of burnout in logistics and Carly’s own experience with it
 * How AI “knowledge bases” can help individual operators preserve and grow their expertise
 * The importance of gratitude and recognition in a high-pressure, problem-solving culture

About the Guest:
Carly Monzo is a Supply Chain & AI Strategist with experience across the full spectrum of international logistics. She has worked for freight forwarders, consulting firms, and startups before founding her own fractional consulting and coaching practice, ExFreighters. There, she helps teams "speak forwarder," streamline invoice auditing, and strengthen vendor relationships. In addition to her consulting work, Carly focuses on equipping individual supply chain professionals with practical AI skills through her Substack, The Average User: Supply Chain Edition, helping them future-proof their careers and make their expertise irreplaceable.

Connect with Carly [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyrosemonzo/]
Explore ExFreighters [https://exfreighters.co/]
Read The Average User: Supply Chain Edition [https://carlymonzo.substack.com/]
Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/]
Follow Chain.io on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io]

Practical Education and AI Empowerment in Freight with Carly Monzo

In this episode of Supply Chain Connections, Brian Glick sits down with Blythe Brumleve—seasoned logistics marketer and founder of CargoRex and Digital Dispatch—to explore her unique path from executive assistant to tech founder in the logistics space. Blythe shares how early mentorship, hands-on experience, and a passion for digital media helped her carve a niche at the intersection of freight and marketing.
Topics covered include:

 * How Blythe transitioned from content creator to product founder
 * The vision behind CargoRex and its mission to unify logistics information
 * Lessons from launching a tech platform in the freight industry
 * Why imperfect product launches matter—and how to iterate quickly
 * The future of search and digital experiences in logistics

Blythe Brumleve (Milligan) is a veteran logistics marketer with over 15 years of experience in digital strategy. She’s the founder of website management firm Digital Dispatch, host of the Everything is Logistics podcast, and creator of CargoRex—a search engine for logistics professionals. She also serves on the board of the Transportation Marketing and Sales Association and is cofounder of Jax Podcasters United.

Connect with Blythe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/blythebrum/]
Explore CargoRex [https://cargorex.io/]
Discover Digital Dispatch [https://digitaldispatch.io/]
Listen to Everything is Logistics [https://everythingislogistics.buzzsprout.com/]
Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/]
Follow [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io] Chain.io [http://chain.io/] on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io]

Bridging Content and Technology in Logistics with Blythe Brumleve

In this episode, Kara Smith Brown, Founder and CEO at LeadCoverage, joins Host Brian Glick, CEO of Chain.io, to break down how logistics companies can build go-to-market engines that are precise, scalable, and grounded in what actually moves the needle. They cover:

 * How to build a revenue engine that focuses only on customers you can actually help
 * The difference between having a controversial POV and having a useful one
 * What intent data actually is (and why supply chain companies are finally catching up)
 * Why logistics marketing has to stay grounded in the physical movement of goods
 * How strong partnerships can accelerate growth without burning out

Kara Brown is the Chief Executive Officer at LeadCoverage. In 2017, after senior roles at SEKO Logistics, OHL (now Geodis), and Rubicon Global, she co-founded LeadCoverage with Will Haraway to bring modern go-to-market strategy to the logistics industry.

Read The Revenue Engine [https://therevenueengine.com/#:~:text=Kara%20Brown%20is%20the%20Chief,release%20%5BNYSE%3A%20ECHO%5D.]
Connect with Kara [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karasmithbrown/]
Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansglick/]
Follow [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io]Chain.io [http://chain.io/] on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain.io]

Building a Revenue Engine in Logistics with Kara Smith Brown

In Supply Chain, relationships come first. Learn about the unique Supply Chain Connections that make up the Chain.io partner and customer ecosystem. 

Each of us has a unique journey through this industry. In each episode we focus on the individual, learning about how they got into the industry, what made them stay, and how they're overcoming the industry's biggest challenges. 

Chain.io, Inc.

Shows