Transportation industry trends and predictions for 2023

Join in on a lively roundtable discussion featuring Openforce executives Wendy Greenland, CEO; Natalie Putnam, CRO; and Doug Grawe, General Counsel.  

Host Nick Hancock interviews Wendy, Natalie, and Doug to learn more about current transportation industry trends and how they will potentially affect businesses engaging with independent contractors in 2023.  

And to our listeners near and far, have a wonderful 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

Wendy Greenland, CEO of Openforce
With vast experience in technology leadership and, most recently, transportation, Wendy Greenland provides a unique skill set to bridge the gap between companies and independent contractors–that only technology can do. Through her leadership, Openforce is well-positioned at the forefront of where technology and the shifting modern labor markets converge.

Outside of Openforce, Wendy sits on the Board of Directors for the Alliance of Technology and Women (ATW) and is active with Women in Trucking, and sits on the Board of Directors with the National Home Delivery Association.

Prior to Openforce, Wendy spent 25 years in technology companies and most recently was the COO at InfinityHR, which she helped position for acquisition by Arcoro in 2018. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and an MBA from Grand Canyon State University and is a certified master trainer with the Miller Heiman Group.

Natalie Putnam, Chief Revenue Officer of Openforce
Natalie Putnam is a results-oriented executive with over 30 years of experience in logistics. She is acutely tuned in to the market and is instrumental in developing and communicating growth strategies with Openforce’s executive leadership team.   

Natalie understands the challenges of operating a trucking fleet in the logistics industry and specifically as an independent contractor in the final mile environment. Her marketing experience and leadership of large sales teams create the unique combination of skills best suited to address the rapidly growing logistics contracting market. 

One of Natalie’s passions is helping companies evolve using technology, especially to enable the freedom and productivity of contractor workforce models. She serves on the advisory board of AWESOME, a women’s logistics and supply chain leadership organization, and is a board member and advisor to ALAN (American Logistics Aid Network).  

Prior to joining Openforce, Natalie was most recently the CEO of DeliveryCircle, a technology company and final mile provider. She also served as VP of Marketing Strategy at Ryder, VP of Sales & Marketing at KC Southern Railroad, Chief Commercial Officer at Verst Logistics and SVP of Sales at YRC Freight. 

Doug Grawe, General Counsel at Openforce
For Doug, law school essentially changed how 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 of 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.