Our in-house knowledge experts reflect SMC³’s devotion to consistently raising the level of knowledge, collaboration and technological capability in the LTL transportation marketplace. These individuals are available to speak at industry events and provide information on topics of interest.
Click here for a list of upcoming speaking engagements involving one or more SMC³ Knowledge Experts.
Jack E. Middleton, SMC³ President & CEO
Jack Middleton has been President and Chief Executive Officer of SMC³ since 1996, and has spent the entirety of his career in the transportation industry. Mr. Middleton’s day-to-day business activities with SMC³ include:
- Directing the company’s mission and vision for the future
- Acting as liaison between the company and its Board of Directors
- Consulting with lawmakers to promote change and well-being in the transportation industry
- Providing input to the company’s educational and product initiatives
- Monitoring the latest industry developments
Mr. Middleton has appeared as a speaker before many groups concerning LTL transportation issues, including the National Association of Purchasing Managers (NAPM) Transportation Conference, the Transportation Claims and Prevention Council, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), the Transportation & Logistics Council (TLC), the North Carolina Traffic League (NCTL) and the Southern Transportation Logistics Association (STLA). He is also a member of the following organizations:
- The Association for Transportation Law, Logistics and Policy
- The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
- The Georgia Society of Association Executives, serving on the Government Relations Committee
- Georgia Congressman Lynn Westmoreland's Transportation and Aviation Advisory Council
- The U.S. Council on Competitiveness
- The National Trucking Industrial Relations Association
- The Southern Transportation Logistics Association, serving on the Board of Directors
- The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Legislative Action Committee
- Fayette County Youth Protection Homes, serving on the Board of Directors
- Excel Federal Credit Union, serving on the Board of Directors
In July of 2007, Middleton was invited by the U.S. Council on Competitiveness to participate as a delegate and speaker at the first-ever U.S.-Brazil Innovation Summit in Brasilia, Brazil. He also served on a panel, chaired by former Congressman Michael Oxley, presenting private sector perspectives in regard to "Shaping the Americas Ecosystem for Innovation and Competitiveness."
Mr. Middleton has been interviewed by, and quoted in, several transportation industry publications. His areas of expertise include:
- The SMC³ organization and its mission, vision and values
- Transportation industry laws, policies and best practices
- Transportation industry dynamics, especially from the carrier perspective
- The history of rate bureaus and their current role within the transportation industry
To request Mr. Middleton as a speaker at an upcoming event, click here.
To download a higher-resolution picture of Mr. Middleton, click here.
To contact Mr. Middleton for comment, click here.
Danny B. Slaton, Sr. Vice President, Business Development
As one of the most recognized individuals within transportation industry circles, Danny Slaton is regularly sought out for dialogue and insight regarding issues surrounding transportation pricing. His 25-plus years of experience communicating with carriers, shippers, logistics providers and technology developers gave him an industry knowledge base that was instrumental in the research, development and sales strategy for many of SMC³’s flagship products, including CzarLite, RateWare and FastClass.
Formerly SMC³’s VP of Sales and Marketing, Mr. Slaton was named VP of business development in 2004 and was promoted to Sr. VP of business development in 2006. His daily business activities include identifying and assessing new markets for SMC³’s products and services and analyzing business opportunities through alliance strategies.
Mr. Slaton’s areas of expertise include:
- LTL base rates and transportation pricing dynamics
- “Who’s who” in the industry
- Supply chain theory and operational practices
- The role of third party logistics providers within the transportation industry
- The role of technology development in the transportation industry
To request Mr. Slaton as a speaker at an upcoming event, click here.
To download a higher-resolution picture of Mr. Slaton, click here.
To contact Mr. Slaton for comment, click here.
Daniel M. Acker, Sr. Vice President, Research & Economic Analysis
Dan Acker has been active within various areas of the motor carrier industry for 30-plus years. His background includes managing daily operations and administration, with heavy emphasis in the cost, financial and statistical areas. Mr. Acker brought this industry experience and skill set with him to SMC³ and is currently responsible for overseeing the company’s economic updating of its CzarLite benchmark rate products, SMC³’s Carrier Cost Index (CCI) and other industry studies.
He holds both B.B.A. and M.P.A. degrees from Georgia State University. Professional designations include being a C.P.A. (Fla.) and a Practitioner of Law before the Surface Transportation Board. Mr. Acker has testified as an expert witness on motor carrier operations before numerous state and federal agencies.
Mr. Acker’s areas of expertise include:
- Carrier cost drivers and price structures
- Transportation industry laws, policies and best practices
- Transportation industry data collection
To request Mr. Acker as a speaker at an upcoming event, click here.
To download a higher-resolution picture of Mr. Acker, click here.
To contact Mr. Acker for comment, click here.
Warren R. Patterson, Sr. Vice President, Product Strategy & Development
Warren Patterson has more than 25 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 SMC³, Mr. Patterson is responsible for facilitating the direction and continued growth of SMC³’s family of products and services. This includes product development and technology, data development and delivery, and internal and external support services.
He is an active member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and the Information Technology Association of America. Mr. Patterson is regularly requested to speak at technology user group meetings, as he is a subject matter expert on emerging technologies.
Mr. Patterson’s areas of expertise include:
- The role of technology development in the transportation industry
- Emerging technologies and technology delivery models
- Software development best practices
- Supply chain process improvement
To request Mr. Patterson as a speaker at an upcoming event, click here.
To download a higher-resolution picture of Mr. Patterson, click here.
To contact Mr. Patterson for comment, click here.
K. Brad Gregory, Director of Software Alliances
Brad Gregory has 24 years of experience in LTL transportation, logistics and technology. Mr. Gregory joined SMC³ in September of 2000 and is responsible for developing software alliances with supply chain technology providers. He also serves on the SMC³ Executive Committee.
Mr. Gregory is a graduate of The University of Tennessee and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Transportation and Logistics. He is also a certified instructor in the Phillip Crosby Associates (PCA), Quality Improvement Process and has been involved with the implementation of the PCA principles at SMC³ as well as a major LTL carrier. His professional experience includes both sales and operational management within carrier, 3PL and technology companies. Mr. Gregory regularly speaks at software alliance user group meetings, educating the participants in LTL pricing and rating technology.
Mr. Gregory’s areas of expertise include:
- LTL pricing and rating technology solutions
- Shipper-carrier relations
- Software alliance relationships
- Carrier operations
- SMC³'s Quality initiative and corporate quality improvement
To request Mr. Gregory as a speaker at an upcoming event, click here.
To download a higher-resolution picture of Mr. Gregory, click here.
To contact Mr. Gregory for comment, click here.