In this episode of OnAir with Airfreight.com, host Kevin Carpenter sits down with John Elliott, founder and executive chairman of Load One, to talk about building one of the country’s leading expedited freight carriers and what it takes to stay competitive in a fast-changing industry.

John walks through his unusual path into trucking, starting with a family legacy in transportation, a college degree in aviation management, and an early career that eventually brought him back to freight. He shares how Load One began as a regional truckload carrier before a series of decisions — including one persistent employee bringing him an expedite opportunity — pushed the company into the expedited freight space.

The conversation covers:

• John’s family history in trucking and how it shaped his career
• Why Load One initially focused on regional freight and low-hanging opportunities
• How a hands-on leadership style helped the company grow
• The role of technology in improving driver experience, operations, and customer service
• Why Load One built its own software instead of relying on standard industry platforms
• How AI and automation are changing trucking operations
• A hard-earned lesson about cargo insurance and subrogation
• John’s perspective on the current state of trucking, freight cycles, and carrier failures
• What it looks like to transition leadership while still staying involved

John also reflects on what matters most after decades in the industry: building the right team, giving back, and helping shape trucking for the long term.

Key takeaways

• Staying close to drivers and staff builds trust and culture.
• Technology can be a major differentiator when service levels are similar.
• Trucking remains cyclical, and strong operators win by managing costs and cash flow.
• Leadership transitions work best when they are intentional and gradual.
• Long-term industry impact includes service, advocacy, and giving back.

Notable moments

• The story of how Load One entered expedited freight
• Why John believes owning software and data creates a strategic advantage
• The insurance lesson that became an expensive but important wake-up call
• John’s view that trucking affects the whole economy

About the guest

John Elliott is the founder and executive chairman of Load One, a major expedited freight carrier based in Taylor, Michigan. He is also a former vice president of the American Trucking Associations and former chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association.