INVESTING TO TRAIN OUR TEAM ‘OVER AND BEYOND’
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| Greg Syfan, President |
Have you ever participated in a training program after starting a new job? If you have, it probably wasn’t anything to write home about. Many companies want new recruits to begin as soon as possible to get them behind their desks or on the floor. But here at Syfan, we do things a little differently.
“Training” is only one of many ways that we welcome new hires to our company. Our Learning and Development Team oversees not only educating our team members but continually empowering them to grow professionally and personally in their careers.
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All team members in all divisions of Syfan have the opportunity to take classes and workshops throughout the year. We believe learning and growing should happen every day – not just the first day. Here’s a look at just a few of the experiences offered by our company’s Learning and Development program.
• The Seeds for Success classes are available to all non-managers. This class focuses on leadership skills and the power of giving and receiving feedback.
• Managers participate in Paths to Professionalism, which helps them master the supervisory skills necessary for their roles – like setting goals and how to meet them.
• Gear Up, available to everyone, teaches important technical skills for software programs such as Excel or Outlook.
• To make sure the lessons stay fresh, we also offer monthly Micro-Learning workshops, which are five-minute recaps on topics team members learned in past classes.
It’s not all work and no play. Last year, we held a scavenger hunt around our entire Gainesville campus with prizes for the winning team. Given the event’s enthusiastic response, I have a feeling the scavenger hunt will return.
We keep one eye on the future with our summer internship program. In collaboration with regional universities such as UGA, UNG, Brenau, App State, and Georgia Southern, we hire 15 to 20 interns for 12 weeks of learning the ins and outs of our multiple divisions.From marketing to operations to accounting and IT, our interns gain firsthand experience working in outreach programs and projects.
In 2024 alone, we invested $2.2 million dollars into our team members. Our goal for this year is to reach $3 million. Our Learning and Development programs improve our communication, collaboration, and commitment to the success of every individual, which makes us succeed as a team and as a company overall.
Obviously, learning at Syfan isn’t just about how to do your job. We take it to another level – and as long as our people put in the effort, the possibilities are endless.
All Syfan division team members can participate in classes and workshops throughout the year.
Account Development Team Drives Growth and Service
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| Tre’ Anderson |
The Syfan Logistics Account Development Team focuses on onboarding new accounts and growing existing partnerships.
The ADT team plays a crucial role in managing and growing accounts, ensuring they receive the attention necessary to unlock their full potential.
“We recognize the importance of nurturing client relationships and fostering growth,” said Tre’ Anderson, Vice President of Sales/Division Manager. “The team’s proactive approach to account management is designed to identify opportunities for expansion and improvement, ultimately driving success for both Syfan Logistics and our customers.”
The Account Development Team is composed of skilled professionals, including Anderson, Matt Fenton, Michael Barnes, Jarqueze Payne, Robert Sidey, Daniel Ecke, Irania Bonilla, William Granados, Sandra Burton, and Myles Ivey.
Together, they bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the logistics industry, specializing in a diverse range of freight services, including refrigerated, dry van, flatbed, hotshot, Conestoga, and expedited freight.
Focusing on key sectors such as poultry, beef, pork, peanut butter, ingredients, other foods, wire, dairy, confectionery, and beverages, the team is committed to delivering tailored solutions that meet each client’s unique needs.
By providing dedicated support and training to new Carrier Sales members, the Account Development Team ensures that all team members are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their roles.
As the logistics landscape continues to evolve, Syfan Logistics remains committed to adapting and enhancing its services to meet the demands of the market. Our Account Development Team is poised to play a pivotal role in this mission, ensuring that every account receives the attention and resources it deserves.
Syfan Supports AHA’s Go Red for Women Luncheon
Syfan Logistics proudly helped sponsor the American Heart Association’s Northeast Georgia Go Red for Women Luncheon.
We are honored to support such an important cause that raises awareness for heart health. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against heart disease.
A group of women from Syfan attended the luncheon, decked out in red to show their support of the American Heart Association.
The Go Red for Women event included education and the opportunity to share experiences that can help improve everyone’s health and well-being.
Syfan Logistics is committed to supporting initiatives that promote health and wellness in the community, and the Go Red for Women Luncheon exemplifies this dedication.
We were proud to have a table at the Go Red For Women Luncheon.
Rotary Club of Gainesville Honors Jim Syfan WITH Man of the Year Award
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| Jim Syfan, CEO |
The Rotary Club of Gainesville has named Syfan Logistics CEO Jim Syfan its Man of the Year, recognizing his significant contributions to both the business community and local philanthropy.
Syfan, who runs the family business alongside his sons Greg and Steve, has been a driving force in the logistics industry while also prioritizing community service.
In presenting the award, the Rotary Club noted that Syfan has demonstrated a strong commitment to giving back through various initiatives, including the Syfan Logistics Christian Charitable Fund and the Syfan Family Foundation. Their dedication to education is evident in the establishment of the Syfan Logistics Lab at the University of North Georgia Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation.
The Rotary Club of Gainesville has been honoring individuals with the Man of the Year award since 1939, celebrating those who exemplify leadership and service in the community.
Syfan’s recognition reflects not only his professional achievements but also his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in Gainesville and beyond.
Team Member Spotlight: Sam Pollard
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| Sam Pollard |
Director of Fleet Operations
While he was in college in 1998, a friend of Sam Pollard’s got him into the trucking business with a job at Northeast Georgia Sales, a beverage distribution company.
“He said, ‘Hey, you’re going to college at night, do you want to work on a beer truck in the morning?’” Sam said. “I started working as a helper on the beer truck and then moved to route driver.”
The offer launched Syfan Logistics’ Director of Fleet Operations on his journey in the trucking industry. He then transitioned to the food service delivery sector, working as a route driver for Milton Food Services. Additionally, he hauled paint and hazardous materials for Sherwin-Williams.
“After my first two sons were born, I decided I did not want to be on the road anymore, and I moved to the office,” Sam said.
And we are glad he did.
Sam runs our trucking division. His job entails driver onboarding, driver safety, load planning, problem-solving, and driver scheduling, including managing their hours of service and making sure our freight gets delivered.
“Even though every day may seem the same, the problem solving is different,” he said. “It may seem that we have the exact same issue today that we had two weeks ago, but the resolution to fix it is not going to be the same. I enjoy that.”
Route scheduling also carries into his home life. The 1997 Gainesville High graduate is the father to four sons ages 15 to 24. His two youngest are on football, lacrosse, and wrestling teams, which keeps Sam on the road.
Sam does not drive a truck anymore but still hits the road on his Harley. His favorite destination is Sturgis, S.D., home of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He looks forward to traveling to new destinations with his fiancé, Tara.
His most memorable trip was with his father. They visited Sam’s grandmother in Brockville, Ontario.
“One of the best trips was when my father and I rode our Harleys to Canada and back,” Sam said. “That was a fun one.”
DRIVER Spotlight: RONNIE MASSEY
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| Ronnie Massey |
Driver by day, drummer by night
Ronnie Massey’s love of drumming started at eight years old when he saw a kid drumming in an MTV music video.
“I’ve always loved music, and I was watching MTV,” Ronnie said. “The Don Henley Boys of Summer video came on. It had this kid drumming, and I thought if that kid could do it, I can. Then I saw (Mötley Crüe drummer) Tommy Lee flipping around on stage and decided that’s what I wanted to do.”
Ronnie has traveled coast to coast playing music.
He’s currently a drummer in two bands, Strikefirst and D985, and teaches drumming at Let There Be Rock music school in Gainesville. He also books bands at Black Strap Rock Hall.
His favorite drummer is Roy Mayorga, a drummer for several heavy metal bands.
Ronnie has been with Syfan for almost a year, driving local routes. The Gainesville native and East Hall High graduate earned his CDL at 18. The 43-year-old did not plan to be a driver.
“My dad was a truck driver, and I thought ‘I’m not going to be a truck driver. I’m not going to get my CDL,’” Ronnie said.
He was working at Northeast Georgia Sales, a beverage distributor. When he turned 18, he was asked if he wanted to get his CDL and drive for the company. Ronnie said yes.
Now, Ronnie drives by day and drums at night.
Syfan Logistics Launches New Podcast “Freight Minds” to Explore Industry Insights
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| Jakob Jameson |
Syfan Logistics is excited to announce the upcoming launch of its new podcast, “Freight Minds,” hosted by Jakob Jameson, Syfan’s Recruiting Manager.
The podcast will feature various guests, including leaders from Syfan. It will explore the logistics industry, current industry events, community projects, and interviews with industry experts.
“Freight Minds” aims to highlight the insights and experiences of industry leaders at Syfan, rather than focusing solely on the company’s activities. This approach will provide listeners with a broader understanding of the logistics landscape and the innovative minds shaping it.
The podcast is tentatively set to launch in Spring 2025, with plans for one episode per month. Initially, “Freight Minds” will be available as an audio-only format on Spotify, with plans to expand to other podcast platforms and include video content in the future.
Syfan Media Team members Andrew Byrd, Jacob Monahan, and Mark Harris are the creative force behind this exciting new venture. Their expertise and vision will ensure that “Freight Minds” delivers valuable content to its audience.
Stay tuned for more updates as Syfan Logistics prepares to embark on this new journey in the world of podcasting.