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2008 Speaker Biographies

Ken Crane

IT Applications Manager – Mobile Technology
U.S. Xpress Enterprises

With over 11 years of experience in the transportation industry, Ken has played a leading role in the development of customized software for in-cab and on-trailer technology at U.S. Xpress. The software and applications developed by Ken and his team assist in the integration of the in-cab and on-trailer technology within the U.S. Xpress fleet of more than 6,000 trucks and 20,000 trailers. Ken has worked in the field of mobile technology for the past nine years.

Ernie Betancourt

President
Innovative Computing Corporation

Ernie has been involved in the transportation industry for many years. His experience includes co-founding a company that became the largest provider of point-of-sale systems to truck stops. In 2001, Ernie led the management buyout of PBB TransIT and Innovative Computing Corporation by BetaZone, Inc. Ernie holds an MBA and is a Certified Public Accountant (TN, Inactive).

Patrick Cozzens

Executive Vice President
Modern Transportation Services

Patrick joined Modern Transportation in March, 2006 and has been instrumental in the company’s growth and technical transformation. His main goals over the two years have been to reengineer business processes to increase efficiencies and support significant growth. This has included implementing multiple technologies and enterprise systems (including an ERP system, GPS telematics and document imaging) to automate the billing and settlement cycles which have significantly reduced days sales outstanding and has improved overall customer and employee satisfaction. Patrick is also responsible for corporate finance and sales.

Patrick holds a Bachelors Degree from John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University with focuses in finance and logistics management. Prior to joining Modern Transportation Services, Patrick held management positions in the high-tech sector, including managing sales and marketing for a logistics optimization software company focused on military and government applications.

Norman Ellis

Vice President & General Manager
Global Transportation and Logistics
Qualcomm Enterprise Services
Qualcomm Incorporated

Norm Ellis is vice president and general manager for Qualcomm Enterprise Services (QES). QES is the Qualcomm division that delivers the knowledge enterprises seek to run their companies at peak performance, make their employees more productive, and improve the quality of life for everyone in their value chain.

Ellis brings more than 20 years of transportation and logistics industry expertise to Qualcomm, providing valuable leadership to the QES team in the truckload, private fleet, less-than-truckload (LTL) and leasing markets, and most recently, in the area of homeland security. Ellis joined QES in 1998 to develop new products and features. Now, he leads QES’ world-wide transportation and logistics-related business.

Prior to joining Qualcomm, Ellis held leadership positions at Mason Dixon Lines, Overnite Transportation Co. and Service Transport, Inc. Currently, Ellis is co-chair of the membership committee for the Truckload Carriers Association, Qualcomm representative for ACT I, and serves on the Institute Board of Governors for the National Private Truck Council.

Ellis is a graduate of Emory and Henry College in Emory, Va., and is a long-time member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

Tom Flies

Senior Vice President, Product Strategy
Xata Corporation

Mr. Flies is responsible for the company’s product management efforts. Mr. Flies joined XATA in 1990 and has served in various roles in sales, marketing, and product development, including Sr. Vice President of Product Development, where he led the development and introduction of XATA’s OpCenter product line. In his current role, Mr. Flies is responsible for developing effective strategies by developing and building market-driven products. Mr. Flies holds degrees in Business and Computer Science from the University of St. Thomas. Mr. Flies is a member of the National Private Truck Council (NPTC), American Trucking Association (ATA), Truck Rental and Leasing Association (TRALA) and the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSMP).

Jeff Johns

Technical Specialist
FedEx Custom Critical

Jeff Johns joined FedEx Custom Critical in 1997 and has been involved in research and development activities for new and emerging transportation technologies for the past ten years, including the areas of rating, routing, drive time analysis, vehicle tracking and mobile communications. In 2000, Johns helped lead a major transition to zip code-based processing of all internal operations with PC*MILER as the core technology platform. In 2006, Johns led the implementation of PC*MILER|Tolls to further enhance rating processes for the benefit of Owner/Operators.

Johns has been involved in the field of information technology for over 21 years. Prior to FedEx, Johns served in the manufacturing, service and insurance industries. Johns has a B.S. degree in computer management from Franklin University.

Michelle Leisz

IT Director
Fil-mor Express

Michelle Leisz served as a Project Leader for Dart Transit, and the Transportation IT Consultant at TSM before becoming the IT Director at Fil-mor Express, her current role. Michelle graduated from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls Campus, with a major in Computer Science and Business Communications.

Brain McLaughlin

EVP – Chief Operating Officer
PEOPLENET

Brian McLaughlin is EVP-Chief Operating Officer for PeopleNet, the leading provider of onboard computing and mobile communications technology to the transportation industry.

Responsible for PeopleNet's global marketing, sales and product strategy, Brian has been the driving force behind creating awareness of PeopleNet, which has more than doubled in recent years, and differentiating a suite of premium products from others available today.

Customer-driven innovation is PeopleNet's greatest objective, and Brian is responsible for making sure the company's products and services continue to meet the market's changing needs. Since 2001, Brian has been leading marketing, product development, communications and inside sales programs that have contributed to 50 percent growth year-after-year at PeopleNet. He serves as the Chairman of the PeopleNet Product Advisory Council, a group of 25 leading fleets that shape the course of innovation for the company.

Brian has nearly 20 years experience in developing and marketing advanced technology solutions to various industries including Transportation and Financial Services. He is frequent speaker at transportation and wireless industry events and conferences.

He serves as Vice Chairman of the American Trucking Association’s Task Force for Onboard Recorders, serves on the National Private Truck Council’s National Convention Planning Board, and is an active member of many other industry associations.

Brian has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Miami Of Ohio and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

David Mook

Executive Vice President
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Technology Officer
TMW Systems

David Mook joined TMW Systems in 1987. His expertise in math, science and computer technology has helped shape TMW’s innovative approach to technology for the trucking industry. Mook was also one of the original developers of TMW’s foundation products, TMWSuite. Mook oversees all product development operations including TMW’s PACE Team, which is a new research and development group formed to introduce exciting new technologies to TMW customers and to the trucking industry.

Dennis Morgan

Chief Operating Officer
Cowan Systems

Dennis Morgan, COO of Cowan Systems, has worked in all aspects of the transportation business over the years, mostly focusing on the Finance and Information Technology side of the industry. He has been with Cowan Systems since 1978, most recently holding the title of Chief Financial Officer at Cowan until 2006, until taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer. Dennis Morgan has an undergraduate degree in Accounting, and a Master’s in Finance from Loyola College of Maryland.

Richard Olson

Chief Executive Officer
Fil-mor Express

Richard Olson, President of Fil-Mor Express is the Grandfather and Developer of the 53-foot Trailer. He serves on the Committee to Deregulate Truck Transportation and the 60NR Commiteee to Regulate. His past experience includes Director of Distribution, American Hospitality Supply Corporation, Vice President of Green Giant Company, Vice President of Pillsbury Company, and the CEO of Michael Foods. He received his BSB from the University of Minnesota, with a focus in Transportation Economics.

Warren Patterson

Sr. Vice President, Product Strategy & Development
SMC3

Warren Patterson is the most recent addition to the SMC3M's senior management team. Patterson has over 20 years' experience in the logistics and supply chain arena, with particular emphasis on solutions development, process evaluation, business strategy and management.

As senior vice president of product strategy and development for SMC3M, Patterson is responsible for facilitating the direction and continued growth of SMC3M's family of products and services. This includes product development and technology, data development and delivery, and internal and external support services.

Patterson is an active member in the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (formerly CLM) and the Information Technology Association of America.

Jim Ray

Chairman
RayTrans Holdings, LLC

Jim Ray is a third generation trucker. His Grandfather, Mel Ray, bought his first truck in 1938, and his father, Jim Ray, Sr., owned an operated trucking companies in brokerages, warehouses, and third party logistics companies. After working through school on dispatch floors and shipping offices, Jim attended law school and became a member of the Bar of Illinois. On January 1st, 2000, Jim started his first company. The company has grown over 60 times into an organization that owns brokers, trucking companies, and a third Party Logistics provider. He resides near Boston, MA, with his lovely wife, Emily, his two children, Olivia (6) and Jack (4), and his awesome dog, Cody (4 in dog years).

Jeff Sibio

Strategic Vertical Marketing Director
Transportation & Logistics
Intermec

Jeff Sibio is the Strategic Vertical Marketing Director for the Transportation & Logistics vertical at Intermec Inc. He is responsible for defining and leading the company’s Transportation and Logistics strategy to ensure Intermec’s products and services meet the needs of the market today and into the future.

Jeff brings to Intermec extensive Transportation and Logistics knowledge that spans over 20 years. Prior to joining Intermec, Jeff worked with leading companies such as Ryder Truck Rental, Transcontinental Refrigerated Lines, HighwayMaster Mobile Communications and USF Glen Moore. At USF Glen Moore, Jeff was the Vice President of Strategic Development responsible for management of the company’s IT and pricing departments, as well as project management of company acquisitions. Additionally, Jeff was responsible for restructuring the company’s maintenance operations, allowing the company to recognize significant profits through more efficient use of maintenance assets and resources.

Ken Velidow

Logistics Technology Manager
Modern Transportation Services

Ken has held many positions in the transportation industry over the past 18 years, from driving a truck right out of college, to Transportation Manager for various companies, to his current position as Logistics Technology Manager for United Natural Foods, the largest national distributer of natural and organic products. In his current role Ken is responsible for development, functionality and efficiency building of all aspects of routing and onboard technologies for a fleet of over 400 trucks.

John White

Executive Vice President of Operations
U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.

John White currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Operations for U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. With more than 20 years of experience in the transportation industry, Mr. White joined U.S. Xpress in 2005 as Vice President of Operations. Mr. White’s oversight of the Company’s truckload operations has greatly assisted in the further development of the variety of service offerings at U.S. Xpress.

A graduate of the John Wiley Jones School of Business at the State University of New York, Mr. White has worked in a variety of capacities within the transportation industry. Before joining U.S. Xpress, Mr. White served as the Vice President of Marketing Services and Pricing at Swift Transportation. He was the Director of Pricing at M.S. Carriers, where he also worked as a Regional Sales Manager and a Divisional Sales Manager. Prior to his stint with M.S. Carriers, Mr. White served as a Regional Sales Manager at J.B. Hunt.

JP Wiggins

Director for ISoMA, Travel & Logistics Services
SAP

JP Wiggins is the Director for ISoMa, Travel & Logistics Services for SAP, where he is responsibly for market strategy. JP has over 20 years experience in Transportation & Logistics software and industry. He has been with Descartes systems, was a founder of G-Log (now part of Oracle’s TM offering) and other TM startups. Prior to entering the software business JP worked as traffic manager for a catalog retailer and holds a BSBA in Transportation & Logistics from The Ohio State University.