Nathan Hooton
Transportation Leadership
Vernon,UT
Summary
Performance-driven Vice President with 19 years of experience aligning systems with business requirements, policies and regulatory requirements. Passionate about applying excellent organization and communication skills to manage and lead teams. Results-oriented individual well-versed in interfacing and consulting on business processes to drive results based on sound overall business judgment.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Vice President of Assets
SOAR Transportation Group
5 2023 - Current
- Overseeing great success of our light asset fleet
- Assisted in growth and of SOAR's Independent Contractor program and de-fleet of company assets
- Oversaw Driver Payroll, Human Resources, Fleet Operations and Driver Recruiting
- Deliver excellence in temperature-controlled transportation and Logistics services
- Dedicated to safety, quality and on-time service delivered by professional drivers, highly committed customer support, and latest technology and equipment
- Lead by example with exceptional communication skills
- Work hand in hand with SOAR's Safety Department and Drivers to have best in class Safety.
- Decreased Safety accident costs and accident rate by over half from prior years due to implementation of Safety First Culture
- Hired and managed teams of 40 office and employees and 300 Company and Independent Contractor to drive business growth.
- Monthly P&L Management with CFO and Finance Department
- Yearly budgetary with Finance team to determine what level of growth we project for current and future years with the ever evolving economy
Vice President of Human Resources and Assets
SOAR Transportation Group
5 2021 - 12.2023
- HR Management
- Employee Orientation
- Large part of benefits for SOAR Transportation and onboarding
- Leadership Development
- Employee performance improvement plan administration and up to separation of employment
- Culture Committee
- Corporate Payroll administration.
- Participated at strategic and operational level to develop and strengthen human resources services, relationships and mission.
- Directed job fairs to bring in local talent for long term and seasonal positions.
- Oversaw HR department budgeting and resource allocation, maximizing value while delivering exceptional services to employees.
- Provided updates on HR policy changes to employees to satisfy compliance and state laws.
- Wrote employee manual to cover company policies, disciplinary procedures, code of conduct and benefits information.
- Devised hiring and recruitment policies for 150-employee company
Director of Fleet Operations
SOAR Transportation Group
10.2017 - 05.2021
- Successfully built SOAR's Independent Contractor Department from 2 Independent Contractors to 150 in three years
- Lead an exceptional team of Company Driver Managers and Independent Contractor Fleet Managers
- Evaluated employee performance objectively using established metrics, leading to fair compensation adjustments based on meritocracy principles.
- Increased company revenue by streamlining processes and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Point of contact for the organization to negotiate fuel rates with major fuel vendors to share discount with Independent Contractors
Director of Driver Training
C.R. England, Inc.
03.2017 - 10.2017
- Responsible for directing, managing & optimizing all operational activities, including: Weekly production exceeding 5mil miles utilizing 2400 drivers, 1700 tractors & 2500 trailers
- 26 direct reports, including 5 offsite employees at CRE owned driving schools
- Driver Training: Managed operational oversight team for 1700 Phase 1 and Phase 2 students
- Office Training: Developed program & managed training for all operational employees.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple locations to foster increased productivity.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Prepare drivers post training of their CDL to be slotted for dedicated routes in Intermodal and Containers. They would work closely with Unions at Ports and Rail yards
- Work closely with Rail Yards and Ports to ensure drivers either had their TWIC card or hiring an escort service to provide legal transit for shipments
Operations Manager, National Division
C.R. England, Inc.
06.2014 - 03.2017
- Implemented a centralized freight map to consolidate load booking and planning for multiple divisions
- Centralized student placement for efficiency, shifted extra headcount to new driver facing position
- Completed Franklin Covey 4 Disciplines of Execution training and lead four weekly team sessions
- Employee of the 4th quarter 2014.
- Minimized cost of operations by optimizing routes for drivers to align with budget.
- Worked with drivers who hauled Hazardous Materiel and Pharmaceuticals on a daily basis to ensure we were compliant, safe and delivered excellent service
Production Manager, National Division
C.R. England, Inc.
06.2013 - 06.2014
- Manage a group of driver managers to produce miles, better utilization, influence safety, home time policy and on time service
- Assisted Independent Contractors with managing their business, focusing on at-risk ICs
- Manage cost containment for company drivers
- Was the primary source for conflict resolution.
- Devised and administered cost control initiatives saving $50,000 annually
Driver Manager
C.R. England, Inc.
02.2010 - 06.2013
- Produced above-goal results in miles, utilization, home-time compliance & on-time service
- Ensured on-time service through the use of satellite tracking & logistics
- Encouraged fuel efficiency & worked to reduce idle-time through research & batch messaging
- Assisted Independent Contractors with managing their business, focusing on at-risk ICs
- Resolved escalated calls from drivers & customers to the satisfaction of all parties per guidelines.
Driver Manager
Knight Transportation
02.2008 - 02.2010
- Ensure on time and safe delivery to every customer
- Manage home time and utilization of company equipment
- Produce above goal miles on a weekly and monthly basis.
Compliance coordinator
Central Refrigerated
09.2005 - 02.2008
- Provide exceptional customer service
- Correspond with Courts, DMV's and our Drivers
- Solve Driver challenges and/or provide solutions
- Identify solutions by analyzing data
- Answer phones, e-mail, coordinate correspondence
- Track and pay citations/violations/tolls
- Record keeping, faxing and scanning
- Maintain confidential administrative records
- Investigate incorrect citations/violations/tolls
- Identify inefficiencies and provide solutions
- Support and cross-train with the other Administrators
- Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
Education
High School Diploma -
West Jordan High School
West Jordan, UT 08.2001 - 06.2005
No Degree - Business Management
Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID 05.2001 -
Skills
Accident Prevention
AS400 and TMWSuite
McLeod/LME
Inventory Management
Experience with Unions at docks
Operational Analysis
Balanced Work Ethic
Performance metrics analysis
Accident Prevention
Timeline
Director of Fleet Operations
SOAR Transportation Group
10.2017 - 05.2021
Director of Driver Training
C.R. England, Inc.
03.2017 - 10.2017
Operations Manager, National Division
C.R. England, Inc.
06.2014 - 03.2017
Production Manager, National Division
C.R. England, Inc.
06.2013 - 06.2014
Driver Manager
C.R. England, Inc.
02.2010 - 06.2013
Driver Manager
Knight Transportation
02.2008 - 02.2010
Compliance coordinator
Central Refrigerated
09.2005 - 02.2008
High School Diploma -
West Jordan High School
08.2001 - 06.2005
No Degree - Business Management
Idaho State University
05.2001 -
Vice President of Assets
SOAR Transportation Group
5 2023 - Current
Vice President of Human Resources and Assets
SOAR Transportation Group
5 2021 - 12.2023