TCA Online Leadership Series

OLS 2026 Horizontal

TCA’s Online Leadership Series is a hybrid program consisting of 2 parts:

  1. 6 1-hour Live Virtual Courses
  2. 10 1-hour Recorded Courses

Each session is carefully crafted by seasoned experts with diverse experience to cover topics essential for effective leadership and practical strategies for leading day-to-day operations.

The 2026 Online Leadership Series will Kick Off in April, check back for updates

2026 Live Virtual Course Schedule

April 16, 2026
Cargo theft is an escalating threat that can lead to significant financial loss and operational disruption. Is your supply chain prepared? Join us for an essential session where we’ll equip you with the latest strategies and best practices to actively prevent, detect, and respond to the evolving methods used by criminals targeting your shipments.

Key takeaways:

  • Identify common methods used by criminals to steal cargo and vehicles, including identity theft, “fictitious pickups,” and cyber scams.
  • Explain best practices for pre-screening carriers and drivers to mitigate the risk of fraud.
  • Discuss the role of technology in preventing theft, such as GPS tracking, geofencing, and smart seals.
  • Develop a basic response plan for when a cargo theft occurs, including whom to notify and what information to have ready.

Speaker:
Scott Cornell
CP National Practice Leader
Travelers Insurance

May 14, 2026
In today’s competitive landscape, understanding your numbers isn’t just important—it’s essential for survival and growth. Are you truly leveraging your data to drive profitability?

Join this high-impact session designed specifically for the truckload industry to move beyond simple reporting and start mastering Return on Investment (ROI) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Learn how to identify the metrics that truly matter and use them to make strategic, data-driven decisions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Define key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the truckload industry, such as cost per mile, driver turnover rate, and on-time delivery percentage.
  • Calculate return on investment (ROI) for various business decisions, including new equipment purchases, technology upgrades, and driver recruitment campaigns.
  • Apply KPI and ROI data to make informed strategic decisions that improve operational efficiency and profitability.

Speakers:
Carl Svendsen
Chief Strategy Officer
Halvor Lines, Inc.

Greg Sutton
Vice President, Finance
Transland

June 25, 2026
A strong public image and active community presence are no longer optional—they are vital for recruiting top talent, gaining local support, and enhancing your truckload carrier brand.

Join us for this practical session focused on Building a Community Outreach Program that delivers real, measurable value both to your community and your bottom line. We’ll give you the tools to move beyond simple donations and create sustained, meaningful engagement.

Key takeaways:

  • Identify the benefits of a strong community presence and a positive public image for a truckload carrier.
  • Explore a range of potential community outreach programs, from local sponsorships and charity drives to school partnerships and volunteer initiatives.
  • Create a step-by-step plan for a new community program, including setting goals, defining a budget, and identifying key stakeholders.
  • Develop effective communication strategies to promote community involvement and share the company’s positive impact.

Speakers:
Emory Mills
Senior Vice President
FTC Transportation, Inc.

2nd speaker TBD

July 14, 2026
Insurance is one of the single largest fixed costs for a truckload operation, yet many carriers are unaware of alternatives to traditional commercial policies. Are you leaving money and risk management control on the table?

Join this insightful session for a detailed, objective Comparison of Commercial and Captive Insurance models. We will break down the complexities of each structure to help you determine the optimal risk financing strategy for your business’s financial stability and growth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Differentiate between traditional commercial insurance and captive insurance models for truckload carriers.
  • Analyze the potential benefits and drawbacks of each insurance type, including cost, coverage flexibility, and risk management control.
  • Evaluate whether a captive insurance program is a viable option for a specific truckload operation based on size, financial stability, and risk profile.
  • Formulate key questions to ask when exploring insurance options to ensure an optimal fit for the company’s long-term strategy.

Speakers:
Jamie Bishop
Vice President of Employee Benefits
Cottingham & Butler

Chris Patrick
Senior Vice President
Cottingham & Butler

August 4, 2026
Artificial Intelligence is one of the most powerful tools available for truckload operations today, but its full value isn’t just in driver coaching—it’s in the data-driven decisions that generate profit. Join this critical session to learn how industry-leading carriers are leveraging AI-powered decision automation to transform their network strategy, dispatch, planning, and more.

Key Takeaways:

  • Analyze how true decision automation can drive maximum utilization and eliminate revenue leakage by continuously optimizing driver-load pairings and ensuring a balanced, profitable network.
  • Understand the power of agentic AI and how specialized agents can be deployed across your operations to automate numerous daily workflows, driving seamless, company-wide efficiency.
  • Elevate your team’s potential by redefining traditional planning roles, moving team members from manual input and reaction to strategic oversight, exceptions management, and high-value customer engagement.

Moderator:
Daniel Powell
Co-founder & CEO
Optimal Dynamics

Speakers:
TBD

September 17, 2026
The longevity of your business hinges on a thoughtful transition of leadership. Failing to plan for succession exposes your company to significant risk and can devalue decades of hard work.

Join this critical session dedicated to Navigating Your Succession Planning. We will provide a clear, actionable roadmap for developing a comprehensive strategy that protects your company’s future, ensures continuity, and maximizes the value of your legacy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Identify the critical components of a comprehensive succession plan, including key roles, timeline, and financial considerations.
  • Discuss strategies for identifying and developing internal talent to prepare future leaders within the organization.
  • Explain the legal and financial implications of various succession options, such as family transfer, sale to employees, or sale to a third party.
  • Create a preliminary framework for a succession plan, outlining the first steps and key stakeholders to involve.

Speaker:
Tenney Group

Registration for the live sessions is free for TCA members thanks to a generous sponsorship from Tenney Group.

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On-Demand Courses

Recorded in April 2025
Discover how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the trucking landscape. Daniel Powell from Optimal Dynamics will explore the positive impacts of AI on fleet management and supply chain optimization, revealing how these technologies can drive significant improvements in your operations.

Key Takeaways:

  • What is AI and how can it positively affect the trucking industry?
  • Can AI help with fleet Management?
  • How can AI guide supply chain optimization?

Speaker:

Daniel Powell
Co-founder & CEO
Optimal Dynamics

Recorded in May 2025
Is your fleet vulnerable to predatory towing practices? Alix Miller of the Florida Trucking Association will provide valuable insights into negotiating rates and navigating state-specific regulations, empowering you to take control and protect your business from unfair towing practices.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understand the history and trends of predatory towing across the country.
  • Learn about common predatory tactics and recent legislation.
  • Get tips on what your company can do to protect itself.
  • Learn how you can get involved in your state to support fair business practices.

Speaker:

Alix Miller
President & CEO
Florida Trucking Association

Recorded in June 2025
Cyberattacks—including ransomware—continue to rise across the trucking industry, placing significant operational and financial strain on carriers of all sizes. For C-level executives, the risk is more than just IT—it’s business continuity, brand reputation, and the bottom line.

In this Truckload Carriers Association webinar, National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™‘s Ben Wilkens—an industry practitioner with experience in fleet operations, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity leadership—discusses the Roadmap to Resilience: a series of cybersecurity guidebooks designed specifically for trucking companies. These resources provide actionable strategies tailored to organizational roles—from leadership to drivers—helping fleets proactively defend against threats.

Attendees will gain insights on how to safeguard their businesses, reduce vulnerability, and implement practical, scalable cybersecurity practices that strengthen their fleet’s resilience in today’s digital landscape.

Key takeaways:

  • Gain insights on how to safeguard your business
  • Reduce vulnerability for a cyber-attack
  • Implement practical, scalable cybersecurity practices

Speaker:

Ben Wilkens, CISSP, CCSP, CISM
Cybersecurity Principal Engineer
National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA)

Recorded in August 2025
Explore the latest trends and technologies in green trucking. Dan Porterfield with Covenant Logistics will delve into EPA’s GHG3 regulations and discuss effective equipment strategies for building a more environmentally responsible and efficient fleet.

Key Takeaways:

  • What are EPAs GHG3 regulations?
  • What are necessary equipment considerations when trying to improve emissions?

Speaker:

Dan Porterfield
Senior Vice President, Maintenance & Equipment Control
Covenant Logistics

Recorded in September 2025
Don’t leave legal compliance to chance. Gregory M. Feary and Prasad Sharma of Scopelitis Garvin Light Hanson & Feary will provide trucking CEOs with the knowledge and tools they need to operate legally, mitigate risk, and foster a culture of safety within their organizations.

Speakers:

Prasad Sharma, Esq.
Partner
Scopelitis, Garvin, Light Hanson & Feary P.C.

Greg Feary, Esq.
Managing Partner
Scopelitis, Garvin, Light Hanson & Feary P.C.

Recorded in September 2025
As emerging leaders in trucking, you’re continually challenged to achieve more with fewer resources. How do you transform your team’s productivity without sacrificing quality?

In this engaging session, we will present a live case study on how Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can be leveraged to eliminate repetitive tasks and keystrokes by as much as 95% while improving accuracy. You’ll discover practical examples of how this benefits billing, accounting, and administrative functions, but also dramatically boosts employee satisfaction by allowing your team to focus on more meaningful, strategic activities.

Hear directly from Hogan Transport, who will share personal experiences on implementing RPA from successes, lessons learned and practical tips on leveraging this technology to empower your team.

Key Takeaways:

  1. What is RPA and how is it shaping today’s workforce and driving employee engagement.
  2. Why efficiency through reducing administrative tasks is so valuable
  3. Best practices and practical examples of RPA from Hogan Transport
  4. Beyond efficiency: How RPA empowers employees
  5. How to introduce RPA into your organization

Speakers:

Larry Kerr
CEO
EBE Technologies

Ned Kriegshauser
Director of IT Business Support
Hogan Services

Recorded in September 2024
As technology continues to reshape the trucking industry, staying ahead demands strategic leadership. This session is designed to equip you with the strategies you need to navigate this tech-driven landscape.

Join Pavan Pidugu, CTO of FMCSA, as he dives into how the effective collaboration between CEO and CIO/CTO will translate into actionable technology initiatives and how leadership can drive innovation. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or looking to elevate your leadership role, this session will provide you with actionable insights tailored for the challenges you face.

Speakers:

Pavan Pidugu
CTO
FMCSA

Recorded in September 2024
In this session, Jason Miller, Eli Broad Endowed Professor of Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University, will share data-driven insights and expert strategies to help you master supply chain visibility, mitigate risks, and optimize performance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Identifying and addressing bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
  • Mitigating risks that could disrupt your operations, such as geopolitical factors, natural disasters, and supplier instability.
  • Navigating the latest pricing and market trends impacting your business.

Speaker:

Jason Miller
Endowed Professor of Supply Chain Management
Michigan State University

Recorded in October 2024
Our speaker, Don Osterberg, is a renowned expert in trucking safety and risk management. With a rich background as the former Senior Vice President of Safety, Security, Driver Training, and Regulatory Compliance for Schneider, Don has dedicated his career to fostering safety-first cultures within the trucking industry. His insights will provide you with practical strategies to enhance your leadership approach and organizational practices.

Key Takeaways:

  • Enhanced Safety and Efficiency: Implement strategies that ensure safe operations while maintaining high efficiency.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Stay ahead of ever-changing regulations to protect your company’s reputation and financial stability.
  • Organizational Resilience: Build an agile organization capable of adapting to new safety challenges and requirements.

Speaker:

Don Osterberg
Osterberg Business Solutions

Recorded in October 2024
In today’s regulatory environment, trucking CEOs play a critical role in ensuring their companies comply with transportation law, from safety regulations to contract matters. This session will cover essential legal considerations to help you safeguard your company’s future, mitigate risks, and stay ahead of new legal challenges.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gain insights into how to navigate transportation law effectively and reduce legal risk.
  • Learn best practices for structuring contracts, insurance, and corporate governance.
  • Understand how legislative outcomes can impact your company’s operations.
  • Hear directly from legal experts who advise top trucking companies across North America.

Speakers:

Prasad Sharma, Esq.
Partner
Scopelitis, Garvin, Light Hanson & Feary P.C.

Greg Feary, Esq.
Managing Partner
Scopelitis, Garvin, Light Hanson & Feary P.C.

The online courses, which learners can complete at their own pace can be accessed through the TCA Learning Center

  • Each course is only $15/member
  • Earn a Leadership digital badge by completing all 10 courses