CEO/COO Operations Leader in Logistics

Nathaniel Gilkes

Cell: 310-***-****

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel-gilkes-75801245/ E-mail: ***********@*****.***

CEO / COO / VP OF OPERATIONS

Exceptionally broad-based senior-level executive experience in domestic sales, marketing financial management, strategic planning, startups, general management and new business development. Proven success delivering quality and profitability improvements to multi-million-dollar domestic transportation and logistics operations with special expertise in medical device manufacturing. Keen intercultural sensitivity and business sense with global experience throughout North America. Translate corporate vision and mission into concrete, feasible strategic plans and provide strong leadership for their implementation.

Identify and capitalize on market opportunities for increased profitability. Reorganize organizational strengths and weaknesses, making tough people and processes decisions necessary for long-term improvement.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

APRIL 2025 PRESENT

Regional Operations Director TCI Transportation Inc Phoenix, Arizona Since 1978, TCI Transportation has been dedicated to serving our clients in the only way we know how- with integrity, aggressively adding new services for our clients to help them grow their businesses as effectively and efficiently as possible. Our story has a long history, and yet we have only just begun. Led the start-up of 65 dedicated Krispy Kreme distribution operations across 11 states, overseeing $50M in revenue, 3 Regional Operations Managers, 20 Driver Managers, 40 Dispatchers, and 300 non-CDL drivers. Achieved planned operating margins within the first year, outperforming startup budget by 3%, despite multi-state complexity and rapid scale.

Delivered cost-per-door targets within five months of launch, stabilizing the operations early and establishing a repeatable, scalable cost model.

Designed and enforced a safety-first operating model (HOS governance, dispatcher controls, driver accountability, root- cause analysis), resulting in an accident- and injury-free startup. Implemented standardized dispatch, labor utilization, and performance management playbooks, enabling consistent execution across all regions.

Partnered with Driver Talent Acquisition to implement accelerated recruiting and onboarding, reducing time-to-hire from 10 days to 6 days and enabling rapid driver deployment without service interruption. Built executive and customer confidence through disciplined startup execution, positioning TCI for incremental Northeast market expansion and additional awarded business with Krispy Kreme. Operated as a senior leader across operations, safety, finance, and recruiting, balancing service excellence, risk mitigation, and margin discipline at scale.

NOVEMBER 2023 FEBUARY 2025

Chief Executive Officer Super T Transport Idaho Falls, Idaho Chief Operations Officer Berger Logistics Phoenix, Arizona Super T Transport Inc. is a full-service logistics company based in Idaho Falls, ID. In 2022, Super T Transport was acquired by Berger Logistik, an international transport and logistics company based in Austria and partially owned by Red Bull At Berger, we are rethinking logistics. We combine tradition with modernity, operational excellence with innovation and remain locally connected as a global player. We are rooted in Tyrol and at home in the world. As part of the Berger Group, Berger Logistik GmbH is an industry leader in sustainability and CO2 transport optimization. With tailor-made logistics products and industry solutions, we optimize the value creation of our customers: by road, by rail, by ship and in the air: with excellent service, excellent know-how and with a state-of-the-art, economically and ecologically optimized fleet. Lead all operations for a $100 million revenue, 200 truck Over-The-Road refrigerated fleet based in Idaho Falls, Idaho In the first year, achieved ~$2 million in cost savings by restructuring operations, finance, and safety teams. Exited unprofitable, negative gross margin business, transitioned the brokerage department into a 3PL solutions-based model, and eliminated commissions for non- commissionable overflow business. Reduced accident frequency by ~65% within the first year by implementing Root Cause Analysis, discontinuing the driver trainee program, and increasing Berger Logistics' minimum hiring requirements from no experience to one year of verifiable driving experience.

Negotiated a high-deductible insurance program, reducing 2024 premiums by $2 million annually. Successfully exited a company owned shop which was a loss leader and transitioned all company maintenance to Premier Truck Group. Reduced maintenance cost per mile from $.30 per mile to $.19 per mile. Successfully negotiated favorable contracts with many suppliers to include (Bridgestone National Tires, Pilot/Flying J Fuel, Loves Fuel).

Successfully negotiated a heath share company wide benefit program, which reduced employee contributions by ~50%, increased employee participation 100%, resulting in better benefit options and reduced overall benefit cost for the company. Launched an Over-the-Road cross-border business between Arizona and Canada (Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto), generating $10 million in topline revenue.

Launched an intermodal/rail solution for Red Bull Austria GmbH for cross-border shipments into Canada reducing cost, increasing efficiency, increasing payload and reducing 500k tons of carbon emissions Launched an ocean export operation from Arizona to Australia and New Zealand via the Port of Long Beach, resulting in

$20 million in topline revenue.

Partnered with Duncan and Sons to create an intermodal/rail solution for Red Bull GmbH from Phoenix to the Port of Long Beach/LA reducing 250k of carbon emissions

JANUARY 2020 NOVEMBER 2023

Regional Vice President Liquid Environmental Solutions Phoenix, Arizona An Audax portfolio company, Liquid Environmental Solutions is the nation's most trusted resource for the responsible management of nonhazardous liquid waste. With a national footprint servicing customers in all 50 states, Liquid Environmental Solutions provides a full range of turnkey solutions for the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, reclamation and disposal of non-hazardous liquid wastes. P&L responsibility for $50MM+ in annual revenue within the Service and Solutions (Transportation Division). Prepared and managed an annual budget exceeding $50MM for the Service and Solutions (Transportation Division). Directly supervised six salaried Branch Operations Managers, one Regional Operations Director, and 100 hourly Class A and Class B CDL Field Service Technicians (FSTs).

Spearheaded the successful integration of Omnitracs (routing software), GeoTab (AOBR driver electronic log software), and ARI/Holman maintenance reporting systems in the West Region. Led three company and employee acquisitions in 2020, adding $10MM in topline revenue to the West Region. hour).

Introduced an alternative driver and truck schedule, improving truck utilization by 15% across all branches in the West Region.

Surpassed 2020 and 2021 budgeted EBITDA targets as a percentage of revenue by 3% during the COVID-19 pandemic. APRIL 2019 JANUARY 2020

Director of Operations Hub Group Trucking Phoenix, Arizona

-leading quality and service to your business. We work side-by-side with you to counteract supply chain pressures, strengthening the most important segments of your network with a truly customized dedicated solution. With a fleet of nearly 4,000 drivers and 5,500 trailers, our award-winning service operates throughout the United States in every major market and industry. P&L responsibility for $100MM in annual revenue within Dedicated Contract Services. Oversaw two salaried Regional Managers, one salaried Area Manager, 15 salaried Site Managers, 20 salaried Fleet Managers, and over 600 hourly and activity-compensated Class A and Class B CDL drivers. Provided continual development of business and personal relationships with multiple Fortune 500 customers. Developed and delivered strategies to maximize the availability of capacity to provide superior service to customers by working with Capacity Utilization and external customer. Responsible for the creation and implementation of strategic and annual business plans for assigned locations. Led and developed internal staff through individual development plans, goal setting, and monthly results reviews. APRIL 2017 APRIL 2019

Operations Manager Amazon.com Phoenix, Arizona Around 800,000 square feet in size, sortable fulfillment centers can employ more than 1,500 full-time associates. In these buildings, Amazon employees pick, pack, and ship customer orders such as books, toys, and housewares. Thanks to the innovations of Amazon Robotics, associates often work alongside robots, allowing them to learn new skills and helping create a more efficient process to meet customer demand.

Supported all safety programs and OSHA compliance to ensure a safe work environment for all associates and managers, led the shift which had 0 recordable during peak.

Mentored, trained, and developed teammates for career progression, performance improvement, and recognition purposes. Created, communicated, and maintained quality control policies and standard work procedures to Area Managers and associates.

Proactively identified and led many process improvement initiatives using Lean tools (Improved Inbound and Outbound Fast Start by 20%).

Built and delivered productivity plans by reviewing work forecasts, determining productivity requirements, and partnering with Sr. Operations Managers to balance labor

FEBUARY 2016 APRIL 2017

Manager, Fleet Operations AAA of Arizona Phoenix, Arizona AAA is a brand that Americans have trusted to deliver safe and reliable roadside assistance for more than 115 years. The organization handles nearly 30 million roadside assistance calls per year, or more than one calls every second of the day, utilizing the strongest network of roadside experts in North America. P&L responsibility for $16MM annual revenue.

Directly managed eight salaried supervisors and over 300 hourly CDL and non-CDL drivers. Responsible for department growth (Facilitated 25% growth in 8 months). Created schedules that provide coverage for projected call volume. Controlled labor costs without impacting overall service delivery. Participated in public relations and

media-related activities, including TV interviews. JULY 2014 FEBUARY 2016

Director of Operations JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc West Region At J.B. Hunt, our Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) accounts each serve a single customer, allowing drivers access to familiar routes, customers and work duties. We operate more than 10,500 trucks in nearly 600 account locations, making J.B. Hunt the largest dedicated provider in the United States. With more than 3.5 million loads moved in 2019, we have freight to keep dedicated drivers moving.

P&L responsibility for $60MM annual revenue within Dedicated Contract Services. Directly manage eight salaried Managers, 15 salaried supervisors, and over 300 activity-compensated Class A CDL drivers. Provided continual development of business and personal relationships with multiple customers. Chief negotiator in Sales process for Amazon bid; Rewarded with $40MM dedicated business in 2014. Coordinated Human Resource functions such as hiring Dedicated Managers in Training, progressive ongoing training, discipline and terminations.

Provided continual development of business and personal relationships with multiple Fortune 500 customers. Responsible for business profitability and organic growth with existing customers. Complete responsibility for 12+ dedicated start up accounts. JULY 2012 JULY 2014

Area Risk Manager JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc West Region Trained and educated management and drivers in safe practices by federal DOT regulations, company policy, and best practices in the industry.

Developed and implemented training programs for specialized dedicated accounts within the region for new account startups and existing business.

Audit existing facilities to ensure safe work practices and compliance with safety programs. Trained and educated new employees on company policies and procedures. JULY 2007 JULY 2012

General Manager of Operations JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc West Region P&L responsibility for $20MM annual revenue within several business segments. Provided continual development of business and personal relationships with multiple customers. Responsible for business profitability and growth within the West region. Coordinated Human Resource functions such as hiring, discipline, and terminations for the West region. Responsible for start-ups and launching of new business. Oversaw our Final Mile Services division.

EDUCATION

California State Polytechnic University of Pomona

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration

Mount San Antonio College, Walnut, California

Associates in Arts, Liberal Arts

CERTIFICATES

Cornell University, Critical Thinking 2019

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