Learn more about SMC³ executives.

The SMC³ executive management team works hard to support the U.S. transportation marketplace—by using our combined experience, technological know-how, years of industry knowledge and keeping a close watch on U.S. and global transportation trends.

Jack E. Middleton, President & Chief Executive Officer

SMC³ President and CEO Jack Middleton is the cohesive force behind business operations, including the direct interface with the company's board of directors. After joining SMC³ as an accountant, Middleton served as the organization's assistant treasurer and corporate secretary. He is a graduate of Clayton State College and Georgia State University and holds degrees in accounting, finance and human resource management.

Middleton has appeared as a speaker before many groups concerning less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation issues, including The National Association of Purchasing Managers Transportation Conference, the Transportation Claims and Prevention Council, the North Carolina Traffic League, and the Southern Transportation Logistics Association.

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 U.S. Congressman Michael Oxley, presenting private sector perspectives in regard to "Shaping the Americas Ecosystem for Innovation and Competitiveness."

Middleton feels honored to serve on Georgia Congressman Lynn Westmoreland's Transportation and Aviation Advisory Council. He also serves on the board of directors of several organizations including the Fayette County Youth Protection Homes, Transportation Costing Group, Excel Federal Credit Union, and the Southern Transportation Logistics Association. He is a member of organizations including the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, Association for Transportation Law Logistics and Policy, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, National Trucking Industrial Relations Association, Southern Transportation Logistics Association, Georgia Society of Association Executives serving on the Government Relations Committee, and the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce serving on the Legislative Action Committee.

Daniel M. Acker, Sr. Vice President, Research and Economic Analysis

Dan Acker's 30-plus years of experience in the motor carrier industry includes all aspects of daily operations and administration, from line haul to financial statements, with heavy emphasis in the cost, financial and statistical areas. Acker has testified as an expert witness on motor carrier operations before numerous state and federal agencies.

As senior vice president of research and economic analysis for SMC³, Acker oversees the company's economic updating of its SMC³ CzarLite benchmark rate products, the SMC³ Carrier Cost Index and other industry studies. He holds both BBA and MPA degrees from Georgia State University. He holds professional designations including his CPA (FL) and is a practitioner of law before the Surface Transportation Board.

Joseph A. McClure, Sr. Vice President, Finance & Administration

Joe McClure has held various accounting and financial positions with SMC³ since he began with the company in 1972. In his current role as senior vice president of finance and administration, McClure directs and manages all of the accounting and finance, human resources, training and development, and building services functions.

McClure holds a BBA in accounting from Georgia State University. He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and serves as both corporate secretary and assistant treasurer for the SMC³ board of directors.

Danny B. Slaton, Executive Vice President, Business and Product Development

Danny Slaton began his career in transportation pricing data and technology with the Central and Southern Association (CSA) in Louisville, Ky. in 1983. With the 1995 merger of SMC³ and CSA, Slaton was named the vice president of sales for SMC³, and shortly thereafter the leadership of marketing was added to his position. Slaton was named vice president of business development in 2004 and was promoted to senior vice president of business development in 2006.

Since that time, Slaton has been instrumental in the development and sales efforts for the current generation of SMC³ technology products, having served as a core team member in the creation of SMC³'s major brands, including CzarLite, RateWare and FastClass.

In his role as executive vice president of business and product development, Slaton assesses new markets, helps further strategic alliance initiatives and analyzes business opportunities for SMC³ and its products and services.

Julie K. Beach, Vice President, Product and Data Services

Julie Beach has over 30 years of experience with SMC³ and the former CSA. During her tenure at SMC³ she has served in many leadership roles in tariff development, less-than-truckload (LTL) rate analysis, programming management, product development and a variety of customer support and technical support assignments. Beach currently serves as the SMC³ vice president of product and data services. In this role she oversees product testing, data services and data analysis.

Beach has been instrumental in the design and development of many of SMC³'s leading products including CzarLite, RateWare, BatchMark and FastClass software for automation of the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC). She has consulted on over 150 carriers LTL pricing and software products and is currently involved in the development of new formulas for LTL rating. Beach serves on the company's executive committee.

Beach has a BS in mathematics from the University of Louisville and an associate's degree in computer science from the Speed Scientific School.

SMC³ Board of Directors

MEMBER	COMPANY
Richard D. Bowden	Shevell Group
Kenneth J. Burroughs	UPS Freight
Mark W. Davis	Averitt Express, Inc.
Reid Dove	AAA Cooper Transportation
Rob W. Estes, Jr.	Estes Express Lines, Inc.
Russell L. Garrett	Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc.
Steven D. Gast	New Penn Motor Express, Inc.
G. Tommy Hodges	Goggin Warehousing LLC
Brent Holliday	Nebraska Transport Company
Larry Kerr	Shippers Express, Inc.
W.H. (Bill) Reed, Jr. *	Skyline Transportation, Inc.
Paul E. Weaver *	Retired
* Director Emeritus