Breaking down the Top 5 predictions for the transportation industry in 2022

This impactful episode features a can’t-miss discussion with Rob Slack, Industry Relations Executive at Openforce, and Doug Grawe, the newly appointed General Counsel at Openforce. Rob’s article titled “5 Transportation Industry Projections to Watch in 2022” was recently featured in the CLDA fall magazine, so we wanted to keep the discussion going while the article is hot off the press!   

In this year-end episode, host Nick Hancock interviews Rob and Doug to discuss how the current state of the world is impacting transportation businesses, as well as everyday consumers. One thing they all agree on – technology plays a massive role in righting the supply chain ship, despite a relentless concentration on compliance at every step.       

We wish all of our listeners a very happy and healthy holiday season!  

The Gig Academy host

Nick Hancock, Openforce Gig Academy Podcast Host and Customer Success Manager of Key Accounts
Nick monitors all areas that pertain to and affect the gig economy and IC model to best advise and meet the needs of Openforce’s clientele. Prior to working at Openforce, Nick worked in the dental manufacturing industry and has a background in insurance as a producer.

Nick has a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies of Humanities from Northern Arizona University. Nick resides in Phoenix, Arizona where he and his wife recently welcomed their firstborn daughter in October 2021.

About this episode’s guests

Rob Slack, Industry Relations Executive at Openforce
Rob started in the delivery business in 1968 as a helper on his big brother’s delivery route. Being a typical big brother, he made Rob do most of the work! In 1976, from his dorm room at Siena College, Rob started his first courier company L.E.D.F.O.O.T Express (Light Express Deliveries for Operating On Time). In 1980 Rob served as the Transportation Manager for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. 14 years later, his 17-office, 700-driver courier operation went public on the NY Stock Exchange along with several industry friends as US Delivery. In 1996 Rob invested in a startup, SCI. In 1999 Rob became the Senior VP of NextJet out of Dallas, TX, and left in 2001 to become active with SCI, serving as President and COO for over 16 years.

Rob is a 25+ year board member of the MCAA/CLDA and served as President from 2006-2008. He is the recipient of the CLDA Distinguished Service Award and was inducted into the Courier Hall of Fame in 2002.

Doug Grawe, General Counsel at Openforce
For Doug, law school essentially changed the way he analyzed problems which has proven to be an invaluable skill for corporate transportation companies over the last 17 years. A quick study, Doug grew most of his career with Dart Transit Company, one of the top-performing and established trucking companies in America. Dart is known for building one of the best owner-operator business models, where Doug had the opportunity to learn from some of the great industry pillars.

From there, Doug founded the Grawe Group, LLC, a law and consulting firm specializing in transportation. He has advised several businesses to help them achieve their goals through practical, sustainable risk management solutions. Doug thrives on serving as a partner to transportation business leaders and collaborating with them to figure out solutions, not just telling them what they can and cannot do.

Doug attended Iowa State University and holds a law degree from Hamline School of law. He is currently a board member for the Minnesota Trucking Association and chair of its Government Affairs Committee. Believing rules are made by those who speak up, Doug is active on a variety of policy issues impacting the transportation industry, but most notably protecting the rights of drivers to choose independence or employment in the transportation industry. Doug has written many trade articles on the independent contractor issue and submitted amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the rights of drivers and carriers to choose.

About Openforce
Openforce is the leader in technology-driven services that reduce operating costs and mitigate risk for companies using independent contractors. Their cloud-based applications help companies and contractors alike achieve more sustainable, profitable growth by removing financial, operational, and compliance barriers to getting business done.