Sustainable business growth for ICs in delivery & courier services

There has never been a greater demand for delivery and courier drivers. Although capacity is overwhelming, it’s also presenting an incredible opportunity for both ICs who are looking to grow their small businesses, and for established transportation companies looking to engage with more ICs to keep up with increasing capacity and to expand into new verticals.    

In this episode, host Nick Hancock interviews delivery and courier services industry veterans Kirk Godby and Rob Slack. They each have decades of experience in transportation, and they’ve seen it all. Openforcers always enjoy their stories from their experiences of owning and operating many companies in the final-mile space. We’re excited to let our listeners in on the fun while learning from the industry’s best.    

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.

Kirk Godby, Strategic Accounts Executive
Kirk is a seasoned C-level executive who has been in the logistics industry since 1993. He has owned and operated several logistics companies, and has been involved in just about every aspect of the first and last mile space, including solutions to create more efficiencies for those leveraging the independent contractor workforce model.

Kirk has dedicated 12 years as board member of the Customized Logistics and Delivery Association (CLDA), where he served as President from 2014-2016. He was inducted into the CLDA Hall of Fame in 2021.

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.