Craig Ward Email & Phone Number

Houston, Tx, Us

Houston, Texas, Us

I am excited to announce that I have started a new position as Director of Business Development at Overland Express. I am looking forward to embracing the challenges and opportunities that will come with this new role. I will be working alongside an amazing team focused on growth and continued outstanding service in the industry.Please contact me for any of your Transportation or Warehouse needs.

Collierville, Tennessee, Us

Led strategic and operational activities for the Gulf Region, including El Paso and the Valley to oversee 33-acre container yard, 16-bay equipment repair shop, and company fleet of 32 tractors. Directed 52 management and support staff members and 285 owner-operators to ensure smooth execution of operations.Headed driver recruitment and retention to maintain a pipeline of qualified drivers to meet business needs. Optimized fuel usage, productivity, and cost efficiencies through close management of the on-site fuel bay. Owned full responsibility for P&L management and reduced operational costs by optimizing staffing levels, renegotiating vendor contracts, and implementing cost-control measures. Built a culture of accountability and growth by coaching staff and evaluating work performance while developing improvement plans and introducing recognition programs. Installed outward-facing cameras on all owner-operator tractors and dual-view cameras on company assets. Collaborated with operations managers and drivers to review contractor settlements, identify low-earning contractors, and provide revenue-optimizing opportunities. Strengthened relationships with owner-operators through transparent communication and proactive support, which minimized delivery failures and improved load acceptance rates. Negotiated competitive rate structures and bid packages for both domestic and intermodal freight to secure profitable contracts and expand service lanes. Played a pivotal role in acquisition and integration of two trucking companies by overseeing personnel onboarding, customer transition plans, and smooth transfer of operations while preserving service quality.

Houston, Tx, Us

Directed driver recruitment and onboarding efforts to maintain optimal staffing levels. Managed fuel usage and enhanced productivity through the strategic operation of an on-site fuel bay. Fostered productive relationships with owner-operators through transparent communications and collaborations. Oversaw operations of 6 terminals by overseeing personnel, a 20-tractor fleet, and 60+ owner-operators to ensure smooth and efficient business operations. Drove all aspects of P&L management to reduce operational expenses by optimizing staffing, renegotiating vendor contracts, and minimizing waste through efficient resource allocation. Implemented Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) ahead of regulatory mandates to ensure early compliance and enhance safety and reporting standards. Worked with operations managers for settlements review to align contractors with high-revenue opportunities. Established competitive rate structures and bid packages for Domestic and Intermodal freight to secure new lanes and increase profitability through strategic negotiations with customers.

Louisville, Ky, Us

Built a strong pipeline of leadership talent by implementing bench planning, cross-training initiatives, developing new store managers and leaders, and serving as a mentor to junior management. Transformed an underperforming market of 46 stores and drove profitability from -2% to +15% by leveraging data-driven online projections and bar graph scheduling techniques. Reduced costs while maximizing revenue growth through process improvements and operational efficiency. Opened multi-brand stores and exceeded first-year performance targets for each store, which contributed to regional growth and profitability. Recognized as “Best of the Best” region in 2013 and 2014 for exceeding sales and performance goals.

Louisville, Ky, Us

Enforced standards for product quality, sanitation, and customer service with consistent top-tier performance. Developed financial models for new business units to optimize cost structures and improve profitability. Managed a diverse team of 16 district managers and 14 franchise business leaders while being responsible for the operations of 143 stores across the region. Created and implemented standardized employee training programs to reduce team turnover from 210% to 96%, while improving overall team performance. Mentored new franchisees by identifying operational inefficiencies and implementing process improvements. Recognized as the top Franchise Business Leader for five consecutive years for exceptional leadership.